A member asked:

Does pacemaker installation count as major surgery? is this major surgery that will include a long recovery time?

6 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Pacemaker : Pacemaker is minor surgery. Recovery time is one day in hospital and a few days at home. It is not major at all.

Answered 1/2/2017

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Dr. William Scott answered

Specializes in Pediatric Cardiology

Usually not : Most pacemaker surgery involves a small skin incision and is not considered major surgery and the recovery is quick. There may be some activity restrictions for a few weeks.It can be riskier in patients who are already very ill. Rarely the pacemaker wires, also known as leads, must go on the outside of the heart. This is major surgery as the chest must be opened to get to the outside of the heart.

Answered 11/28/2017

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