Hi Cody1-
I am also a pacemaker recipient for Bradycardia and have had my pacemaker for the past 25 years. (I have had 5 batteries replaced already) since my initial surgery. I vaguely remember being sore and that I was not to raise my arms above my head for two weeks until the site healed. I wore button up shirts as it was easier to get dressed. Living in MN, I am a freeze-baby so that was a challenge for me, especially since my initial surgery was in October when it is staring to get chilly here. At the time of my surgery, my underlying heart rate was 38-40 beats per minute. A normal heart rate should be between 60-100 beats per minute. Currently, I am about 90% dependent on it. Do you know what your underlying heart rate was? What are you feeling? While I can't speak for every pacemaker recipient, I do know that everyone's symptoms are different. Do you know if you have a dual lead pacemaker (two leads threaded into the heart) or single lead? Typically, at your one month follow up visit, the cardiac nurse will set you up with a transmitting device that you will hold to your chest to transmit a monthly or bi-monthly basis to your cardiologist so that he can see what your heart is doing. I usually check my pacemaker about every three months in this fashion. It there is a problem with the transmission, the cardiologist or his nurse will call you. Depending on how much you use your pacemaker, the battery life is usually 10-15 years but it could be longer. Mine typically run about 10 years before I need to have it replaced. The replacement surgery is usually a quick one and it's a day surgery, so you don't need to stay overnight unless your cardiologist thinks you would be better staying overnight. I hope this helps- if you have additional questions, please feel free to reach out. Wishing you a super day and a speedy recovery. 🙂

Warmest Regards,
Sherry Kirby