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Justin McClanahan, Moderator avatar

Pacemaker & ICDs: Introduce Yourself & Meet Others

Pacemaker & ICDs | Last Active: Sep 12 6:38am | Replies (116)

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@JustinMcClanahan
If I understand your post you are having pacemaker surgery in 3 weeks is that correct?

Not knowing your medical history or why you are getting a pacemaker kind of limits what we can pass on via our experience with this on the questions.

But I have a lot of experience with ICD/Pacemakers (are you getting just a pacemaker or both). I first got my ICD/Pacemaker in 2006. I am now on my 3rd device meaning I have had 3 surgeries.

The first implant is always more involved as it requires the wires to be placed. A question her I would asked does your surgeon use static leads or screw in leads. Difference is what sits in your vein the other gets inbetted.

Asked what manufacturer of your device. Then go on that web site as it will contain tons of information on your device, recommendations, ability to asked questions, and see how the device works, etc.

Ask your surgeon about post recovery and be specific about use of your arm, activities, signs of infection, etc. Ask if you are going to have it implanted below skin or chest muscle. I had mine done below chest muscle as my skin was very thin and also I was very active.

Asked your Pace or cardiologist about how it will be programmed on rate of being paced, and why. Will he/she have exercise mode turned on? Asked about any concernes with electrical inferernence from devices and precautions you should take. Most new devices have very good protection from electrical devices.
If I knew if you were getting a ICD also it would help.

Feel free to send me a private message and I can give your more depth experience and the questions I learned to ask after getting now my 3rd device and having one now for 20 years.

You can click on my name and it will pop up send private message.

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Replies to "@JustinMcClanahan If I understand your post you are having pacemaker surgery in 3 weeks is that..."

Yes, my surgery is scheduled for July21st. I have bradycardia and am in a junctional rhythm. Was scheduled to have varicose vein surgery on 6/20/25, but when anesthesiologist came in to see me pre-op she freaked out when she looked at the monitor. Ordered an ECG and cancelled the surgery. My electrophysiology cardiologist knew I’ve been in a junctional rhythm since April 18th, but we were just monitoring it and keeping track of my symptoms. I have to admit the episodes of lightheadedness have been increasing, but no passing out. My cardiologist looked at the ECG and said it was time to get the pacemaker. He wanted to do it right away, but my husband had booked a surprise trip for me, and had no refund deal, so we pushed the surgery back a couple of weeks. Just advised of activity limitations and to get my butt to an ER if symptoms worsen. Then when I return have to stop some medications before surgery. I have a loop recorder with a dead battery, which they plan to remove at the same time.