My swelling from the Medtronic ICD was horrendous looking initially. It is nearly the size of an old flip phone. I honestly thought they had given the closing of the incision task to a newbie. There was a giant bulge at the location of the ICD with excess tissue stitched into what looked like a topknot elevated a full inch above the circular bulge which was the size of half a tennis ball.
A year out, it is a beautiful almost invisible flat pink scar which will eventually turn white. You must be patient. In about 6 weeks from surgery, you will begin to notice ongoing, consistent improvement. Doctors say it will take a full year for the ICD to be “seated” into the pocket they create for it under your skin. In spite of the swelling, the discomfort was minimal. Two weeks post procedure, I went on a long planned vacation with my family which required full days on my feet with a lot of walking. Age 77 at the time. All was okay, but no white water rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking with my sons and grandchildren. No lifting your left arm above your shoulder for 6 weeks to avoid pulling out the ICD wires threaded into your heart. Honestly, it is a minor procedure which is well worth the recovery time.