Shortly after the insertion, a chest x-ray will be taken to confirm the proper placement of the device. Patients will rest for several hours and their vital signs will be monitored. Pain medications may be administered. The pacemaker’s programming may be adjusted using a magnetic wand that is passed over the chest. The patient should not feel anything during this process.

Depending on the patient’s age and overall health, a short hospital stay may be recommended following permanent pacemaker insertion. The physician will provide specific instructions regarding the patient’s appropriate activity level immediately following the procedure. If there are no complications, complete recovery from the procedure will take about two to three weeks. During that time, the wires will firmly take hold where they were placed. In order to help keep the wires from becoming dislodged, patients should avoid contact sports, heavy lifting or vigorous movements of the arm on the side of the pacemaker.

Patients should not be alarmed if a hard ridge forms where the incision was closed. This will fade as the wound heals. However, any signs of infection (e.g. fluid leakage and inflammation of the surgical wound) should be reported to one’s physician immediately. A warm compress can be used to reduce any pain in the area. Patients can bathe or shower normally, being careful to gently wash the incision area with mild soap and then pat the area dry.

A follow-up visit at the physician’s office is usually scheduled for one to two weeks after the implantation. At that time, the sutures or staples are removed (if necessary) and the incision site is inspected for signs of infection. The patient will receive further instructions for living with his or her pacemaker. This includes carrying a pacemaker ID card at all times in case of emergency. There will be a follow-up visit to the physician about two months later, and then every six to 12 months, to ensure that the pacemaker is working properly.

In between visits, pacemaker checks may take place over the telephone, through transtelephonic monitoring. Through a special device, information from the implanted pacemaker can be sent over the telephone. A trained medical professional then evaluates the information and relays findings to the patient and physician. These transtelephonic checks are scheduled every two to three months. If programming adjustments are needed or battery replacement is necessary, an appointment for an office visit will be made.