The surgery went well for me. Recovery time can be tedious only because your mind tells you to get up and do something and your body says, NO!

First couple weeks he must keep his arm below shoulder level. He may be restricted from driving for about a month.

Travel restrictions? We go wherever we want. I try to check when planning our trips to see about medical facilities and doctors. Type an emergency sheet that notes all medications, vaccine info, doctor info, and all procedures or surgery you guys have had with dates. Fold it and store it in your wallet. (Update whenever necessary) Make sure to get rolling luggage as he should not lift heavy objects for awhile. I believe it was nothing over 8 pounds for the first month or two. Most important, if you are traveling try to find foods that go with the sodium restriction that he should follow. Many restaurants use salt in place of any cooking skills. Ask when ordering if they will lay off additional salting.

I got a neat book from the Medtronic company telling about recovery. Maybe your doctor may be able to provide one for you.

I might as well say it, make a list of any questions you have for your doctor. Do not allow him to be vague. Remind the doctor that a well informed patient can be his best patient. YOU pay the doctor, it is part of his job to explain things to you. Informed decisions.

Not sure what brand of device your husband will have. This is kind of informative. http://www.medtronic.com/your-health/brady...

I have an ICD and it was placed in 2007.I was in the hospital for a few days so they can watch for any adjustments.My ICD is ST Jude,and 3 leads.I also have an alert bracelet with all my info inside..Check with UR state.I did and found out I couldn't drive for 3 mos. I forgot to tell ya.A few days after I was released from the Hospital,I kinda over did it and I was ZAPPED 3 times.When is he having it done.

Fibrat/Knightrider, thank you so much. You have both given me more info than the doctors. which isn't difficult, since they gave NONE! We saw a cardiologist for a half hour on a tuesday. Same cardiologist did the cath on thursday where we heard the news. Following monday we saw the surgeon that will implant the ST.JUDE ICD for a half hour. THAT'S IT! Surgery is next wed, aug 4th. This is what the surgeon told us....he explained how the device is implanted in the heart. Told us he'd be in the hospital over night. Told him not to lift his arm for ONE week. Couldn't lift over 10lbs for 1 month. My husband is a welder and the surgeon said he can't weld anymore, but to call the St.Jude technicians to confirm. OH...and don't add salt to your food. THAT IS IT! We are suppose to take a 6hr trip for a wedding on 9/30/10. I'm skeptical. Any advice? Knightrider, what does a 'zap' feel like?

This site is the best. Really. I wish I could be on during the day but I work. I'm the only one working right now. I am usually on this time every night.

Thank you all so much again! And I wish you all the very best of health!!

As for my surgery,I was put out.It was like U no sooner go out and then waking up..Matter of fact,it took longer setting me up.Zap,Everyone say's it gives a kick.If I had one,I didn't feel it.All I can remember was seeing a flash.

My trip to the hospital/clinic is a four hour drive. Don't think two more hours would be a big deal. Especially a month out. Just make sure you have a back up plan for your destination.

The device itself is not put into the heart. The wire ends are attached to the heart muscle. The device itself is about 2" x 2". Not that big at all. He could be sore for awhile at the implant site, but nothing that can't be endurred.

I have heard that welding was a no no after. Magnetic fields may damage ICD. Maybe he could do welding using Oxyacetylene. Definitely a doctor approval needed type decision.

Thanks Knightrider and Fibrat. Another question(I'm full of them:) ) The surgeon said that my husband may not actually feel better with the ICD. He said that it is there to prevent sudden death. Is this true in your experiences?

OH, I forgot to ask, how long before you could drive after the implant? Thank you all very much!!

It was about 4 to 6 weeks restrict from driving. But heck, I made a GREAT passenger!! As far as feeling better or not, well, I felt incredibly better with the first ICD and with the replacement this last year. (you do know that the device will need replacing in 5-7 years, right?) I can actually tell the exact second they turn off the device during my interrogations. It is like a great wave of sluggishness coming up on me. Some people may not respond to the device as well I guess.

The surgeon did tell us that the device would need replacing one day, but not the leads. Well, Aug 4th will be his day of implant. We must be at the hospital at 6:30a.m. and surgery is at 8:30a.m. And hopefully home the next day! Thanks so much again for ALL of the help. You have all been such a help, I can't express it enough. Best of health to everyone here. I'll keep everyone updated on our progress and of course will pose questions as they pop in my mind. thank you!! :)

Hi Gretta, I haven't been on here for a while but wanted to wish your husband well for August 4. These guys are great and very helpful. I just wanted to add that as to whether your husband feels better or not depends on the settings. If it is set to pace continuously then your husband may notice a good improvement (that is if his regular heartbeat is slow or arrhythmic) but if it set only to intervene if the heart goes into, say, VT or VF, then it's used more as an little insurance device against life-threatening arrhythmias, and not a day-to-day assistance. My first one was only used 5% of the time; whereas my second is set differently and is used about 75 per cent of the time (from memory of what they last told me). The first implant the docs said don't lift your arm for a month. I then ended up with a rolled-in shoulder because I had over-protected it, which meant some exercises to stretch the muscle back out. The second time they said lift your arm straight away and I had no problems. Although the second time is easier because there is a "pocket" area in your chest ready-made for the ICD. I had to have my leads replaced as well the second time (bad Medtronic device) and I hope I never have to go through that again. Anyway, I'm just rambling now. Best wishes for Wednesday! Let us know how he goes. Emma

Hi Emma and thanks for your input. My husband has caridiomyopathy, a 20EF and his heart is 'out of sync'. As we look back now, this has been brewing for quite some time. It wasn't until he had a very difficult time breathing, especially at night, coupled with a rapid heart rate, frequent urination and extreme fatigue. After his heart cath, the doctor said he needed an ICD/pacemaker (3 leads) to prevent sudden death. The put him on Lisinipril and monopropinol. (excuse spelling). The meds make him more comfortable and he can sleep at night. He still wakes up about 5am every morning short of breath and with an irregular heart rate. All of this started just 2 1/2 wks ago. So we know very little about this entire process or what to expect. Thanks Emma for taking the time to tell your story. Thanks to all of you for the support. I will keep you all updated on my husband's progress. It seems as this is the only place I come to for support. Thank you all. You have no idea what it means. :)

Aussie, you reminded me. I took the option of having my device "optimized". They set it while doing a doppler echo so that it was at optimum setting for my heart. Love it! If your insurance will cover it, do it.

flbrat, "Optimised" I love the sound of that. Will be asking about it at the next visit. My husband already calls me half a cyborg (he can't understand why I don't think that's cool) maybe I could be an optimised cyborg.

Gretta, if your husband's heart is continuously out of sync you might find some good improvement with the ICD/pacemaker. I really hope it goes well for you guys.

I have dilated cardiomyopathy, with an EF of 15-20% (last checked in March) and I'm doing okay. I hope to go on for quite a few years like this.

Emma, yes my husband's heart is always out of sync. He said that now that he knows about it, he can actually feel it. Especially when he is laying down in bed and rolls over. I'm glad to hear that you are doing ok and hope it continues for decades to come. :) We are trying to button things up here around the house before his surgery on wed. OH, how long should I stay home from work with him after his surgery? Right now I am planning on Wed, Thurs and Friday, then "maybe" back to work Monday. What does everyone think?

Fibrat, what does "Optimized" mean or do? :/

optimized = fine tuned to his heart, the settings for the device are done while they are doing a doppler echo so that the timing is exact. I had it done and felt great. While at my loco local cardio's the Medtronic rep CHANGED the setting to what he said was standard. I did not feel as good and paid to have it re-optimized. It was worth it to me. (I also wrote an ugly email to Medtronic about the boob who felt he knew more than the Mayo Clinic Staff.)

He should be pretty ok to go in five days. You will need to take time off in the next several weeks to go back for recheck etc, so that is about what I would do. My husband was pretty mobile with his job, so he was able to stop by the house and check on me.

Gretta, wish your husband and you the best. Every thing will be fine.Keep that positive attitude.

fibrat, thank you for explaining "optimized". I will remember to ask about that. Also, I only work about 4 miles from home, so I can come home for lunch. And with the economy so slow right now, I may even be able to work less hours if necessary. Actually, I'll do what I have to do for my husband's sake. We went to an outside wedding reception today and while we were in the car he had to gasp for some breaths. He said that he could feel his heart do some "funky" thing and then loses his breath. Part of me is pretrified to have this ICD put in and the other part can't wait! Crazy, huh? Take care and thanks again to everyone for the support. Tomorrow's another day!

Gretta,, My husband is having his ICD implanted this Wednesday 8/4 also!! Small world!! My husband is 42 and had some minor complaints. Went to the dr who sent him to the ER in April and he has Dialated Cardiomyopathy from a virus. His Cathernization shows a 15-20% efraction rate. He is doing pretty well with the meds but the Dr felt he needed to do this also so prevent a SCA. Keep in touch. I'd love to compare stories!! Thank you to everyone who answered our questions!