Subcutaneous ICD procedure - What is the recovery process like?

Hi there @thnsspls, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.
I personally only came close to having an ICD, but after review the doctors said I did not need one.
Whew! Because I was recovering from open heart surgery a few days earlier and the thought of having another procedure what more than I could handle right then.
So, basically, I am of no use to you!
But! I can share that there are many posts here on Connect that have talked about all the things involved with an ICD. In fact, fellow mentor @walkinggirl has one, and even gave him a name!
Here is a link to one of her many helpful posts:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1606252/
If you type ICD in the search area at the top of this page, you will have the ability to read all the posts made by folks just like you; either waiting for one, or those who already have one.
How long have you known about having HCM and symptoms that have brought you to needing an ICD?

@thnsspls I join Debra in welcoming you to Connect. Yes, Buddy and I have been an item since late November 2022, my personal EMT is with me 24/7. Debra has directed you to a good source to read about what others have shared. I had a septal myectomy for HCM in July 2022 and developed electrical problems with my lucky heart - dizziness, giddiness and syncope - Buddy has eliminated all of that. I never had a shock. Yes, it does take a bit of time to adjust and we are all different, I hope you quickly get to the point where you hardly think about it! Scar tissue develops to keep the device in place. You will be told to keep your left arm below shoulder level, lift no more than 5 pounds, keep the incision dry (cover when showering), sleep on your back (I liked a recliner) and ... perhaps a few other things for your unique situation. I had no pain at all, ask your electrophysiologist what you should do if you do have discomfort. The day after I was walking - slower than usual - outdoors with my arm in a sling to prevent unnecessary movement. I did drive short distances the same week - please do ask about that. I went to the gym and did some of my exercises that had no need to use the temporarily taboo areas. At the grocery store I had help loading the groceries into my car and my husband carried them to the kitchen. You will be amazed at how creative you will become in figuring out safe and acceptable ways to do some normal things. You may wish to read Mayo's information about your device https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/implantable-cardioverter-defibrillators/about/pac-20384692 I think yours will be S-ICD on your side; I have one between my heart and collarbone. I have a device kept on the shelf in the bedroom which sends amazing reports to my cardiologist. If you need to pass through a screening device such as at TSA in airports, tell them and they will screen you in an alternate manner. It's funny, though, when going into a theater or museum, I am told by security just to bypass the screening. Have you been diagnosed with HCM? What symptoms have you experienced? How does your doctor think an ICD will benefit you?

I received m Biventricular ICD in October last year. Recovery was good. Little pain around the implant area which is to be expected. Mine is in my upper chest. My recovery consisted of an arm brace for a few days followed by a few weeks of not lifting or over reaching. Follow your discharge instructions so it does not compromise the good work done.

I have a Boston Scientific S-ICD. I would say the biggest thing about recovery is there is some pain on the left side and chest area. For me, it took several months to get used to sleeping on my left side.

Did you have a pacemaker and then later had the subcutaneous icd? Can you tell me the circumstances that led to the S-ICD? I’ll be getting a pacemaker but don’t want the icd now but may need it later on.

@mmm123 No, I’ve never had a pacemaker. The S-ICD was strongly recommended due to several runs of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) that were measured by a Holter monitor earlier this summer. The root cause of all this is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Thank you for the reply. How was the recovery and are you comfortable with the leads bing subcutaneous?

@mmm123 hello, my recovery has been pretty good, actually. It’s now been a full week since the procedure, and I’ve been feeling well enough to work from home for the past few days. I’m still in some pain at the incision site for the generator, but I’m managing it with Tylenol. The biggest adjustment for me has been getting used to the generator, because it bulges from my left side. I have an S-ICD (subcutaneous), which only has one lead, that I do not notice at all. Hope this helps.

@mmm123 Good questions! My question to you is - Has an ICD been recommended? My thought is that if a person gets the pacemaker first and later gets the defibrillator part, it involves two surgeries and two recovery periods etc. Having an ICD does not mean that you will get shocks. Another question: The generator that bulges from your left side - do you hit it if and when you bump into things? How large is it? As you can tell, I am learning about a different type of ICD than the one I have between my heart and collarbone.

After a septal myectomy 4 years ago, I was fine for several weeks and then began getting dizzy, giddy and over time had 2 syncope. It took a while to figure out; I wore a Holter for a month and it was discovered that my lucky heart had developed an electrical issue causing arrythmias. It was a great day when I met Buddy, my ICD, my ever-present EMT. The point of sharing this experience is this: Even though I have an ICD, so far, in almost 4 years, I have never had a shock. The pacemaker part keeps me paced - as it is meant to do.

What does your cardiologist and/or electrophysiologist recommend? Please do ask why they are making this particular recommendation.