@kb49
The discomfort at implantation site is going to take some time to heal. Do you have any pressure over the implant site? If so go to remove that as the skin and muscle below it are going to be very sensitive.

Over time your body will emcapsulate the device and this irritation should to away. You still need to keep any pressure off of it so you don't create irritation.

The shortness of breath is another matter. I would have suggested you bring this to your doctor attention ASAP but you already have. Can I asked if you are under a lot of stress or worrying? It can cause you to have anxiety which can cause shortness of breath.

That does not come from me as medical professional but I have had a device now for 20 years. Several times over those years when I got shocked I developed anxiety/panic disorder.

You are 76 I am 78. Prior to your surgery, during and after how long did you refrain from exercise, walking, etc.? If several months remember if you now start moving your body at our age is quickly out of shape and you can feel the shortness of breath.

I don't know if you know about oxygen finger device that shows your oxygen level. My wife needed one as she had shortness of breath and they wanted to check on it at home as well. Since I have heart failure I too use it.

The norm for the oxygen level should be 95% and above. To show you why I mentioned it was when she was having shortness of breath hers was in 80s. We found out by just talking and talking that she was really worrying and was breathing fast and short which anxiety can cause. We (doctors advise) went over deep breathing techniques and the oxygen level went up.

Now we find she was responding to pain in her chest caused by a return of her hianial (spell) hernia and she was shallow breathing.

Four months is not very long after your surgery. What have been your restriction given to you? Keep an eye on your surgery site and keep bugging your doctor if continues.

I am on my 3rd device and I have had the present one for 7 years. I was in office at pace clinic talking about irritation I was having at the site. WE discussed my activities. I had recently increased my exercise routine to doing more water aerobics. The one instructor had our arms above our head and doing a lot of arm movements. The pace clinic tech said try alterning your arm movements lower and not as hard on your left side. Sure enough the discomfort stopped.

I mentioned that as you just have to be aware of your arm movements especially with you being so soon after your surgery.