My grandmother got a pacemaker about 2 weeks ago. The surgery went just fine. However, now, there is a lump where the incision is...around the size of a golf ball. Is this a normal part of recovery or should we be alarmed. None of us know much about pacemakers and don't really know what to make of it. She's still in the hospital regaining strenghth and no one there seems to be concerned...
2007-05-04 06:53:30 · 6 answers · asked by psugorillagirl 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
I have had a pacemaker since I was 32 years old and I am 59 years old now. Your grandmother's pacemaker was just put under the skin therefore what you see is the pacemaker it is very tender there so if you are going to see if I am right please ask your grandmother if it is OK. Maybe she would like to tell you herself. when I got my pacemaker it was the best thing I ever had no more feeling faint and sick just like I was newly charged . It is the greatest invention yet like any foreign thing in your body it takes the time you to get use to and a little more time to recoup. for me it was mostly from not having a pacemaker and feeling sick from your heart rate going different speeds . please let me know if you have anymore questions. most of the time the people who work at the pacemaker clinic are a great resource too as its a mechanical thing (pacemaker) as well as a health problem. grandmother may want to go out dancing when she gets well.
2007-05-04 17:23:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The lump could be the pacemaker and a little swelling or bleeding under the skin. If your grandmother is a thin person it will definately stick out more. you could be seeing the shape of the pacemaker.
Only why is she still in the hospital most people can go home the day after the pacemaker is placed.
Are the medical staff concerned about the lump....if not it should make you reassured. Is your grandma's heart rhythem normal now? Is the lump purple? That could be old blood.
Hope this is helpful
2007-05-04 16:10:42 · answer #2 · answered by toastyrachel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A bit of swelling is expected up to 4-6 after the procedure. However, I would be concerned about a golf ball-sized lump at the incision. Some patients do have an abnormally large blood clot that forms and has to be "evacuated" or removed surgically. If it were a few days after, I would expect they'd put a 5 lb sand bag over it, but if it's a blood clot then that will not help at this point. If I were you, I would request the implanting physician to come by and see it. She may need an ultrasound of the wound to see if it's blood collected.
Hope this helps you. Good luck!
2007-05-05 15:19:18 · answer #3 · answered by pacer whiz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
after a pace maker is inserted there is supposed to be a visible lump under the skin ( about the size of a tic tac container) that is the pacemaker.
2007-05-04 07:00:11 · answer #4 · answered by Liberty Belle 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The lump is most likely her pacemaker.
2007-05-04 13:52:11 · answer #5 · answered by etk79 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask the doctor or the nurse. If it was unusual they probably would have mentioned it to your family.
2007-05-04 07:08:36 · answer #6 · answered by Harmony 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋