Where is the best incision site ?
 

I've been asking around regarding where to have the SCS unit implanted. Some doctors like to place them in the abdomen. My doc wants to put it in the hip/buttock area.
There are several things to take into consideration, such as...
which side do you sleep on most? Are you left-handed or right? (for convenience of using the charger)

It may seem like a 'trivial' issue at first, but as I began putting more thought into it, it could really end up being a big deal, especially if, for instance, it is implanted right at the waistline (beltline for men). How aggrevating (and painful!) that would be!
So I'm wondering if it would make more sense to have it above or below the beltline?
One person brought up the issue that she had lost a significant amount of weight after her surgery and the battery implant ended up sliding DOWNward!
Some people end up having to get it relocated.

I'm wondering if anyone could share some insight .... ?

I have a feeling jeans will be a thing of the past.
Break out the fatpants ! :Doh:

Rrae,

I had my first battery implanted in my right upper butt cheek. All the moving around, standing, sitting, etc seemed to have allowed it to move around. It turned sideways a bit, and made sitting almost impossible. That's when I had it replaced and the dr. moved it to my right side, just below the natural waist. It would have made wearing anything but jeans that fit at the natural waist impossible. Of course, I had a MRSA infection set in under the battery pack and had it removed after a couple of weeks. My pump is placed in my back just below the natural waist. So far I can wear sleep pants. I haven't tried anything else as I'm still swollen from the surgery. It's only been 3 wks. lol. I don't think getting it in the butt is a good idea. IMHO if I had to do it again. I would insist on getting it in the side. When I got my first one, I really didn't have that much information on it. Only what I got from here and the book the company gives you.

Hugs
Mary
PS. you are really smart thinking this all the way thru. THese are things most ppl don't think about, (like me), and pay for it later down the line.

:grouphug:

Rrae-My battery is in stomach area(only place my Dr. puts them) just slightly above waistline.Only MALE DRs would do this LOL-However I am a total back sleeper,so this is probably the best place for me. Discuss this with your Dr.,How do you sleep-Back-Side etc.
I thought that my site would be up a little higher away from my waist.
Another plus is that I never bump the site.
I am so happy that you have found this site and all of the wonderful,caring people here,as I knew of nothing when I went thru this. Ask-Ask-Ask until you are comfortable and I pray that the 24th. will be the beginning of a new life for you-Fondly-Carol

Thank you Carol
 

That means alot to me ! And I'll take all the prayers I can get! :o
I'm sure I'll be pestering you more and more as my date gets closer.
How long did it take for the incision pain to go away? I'm wanting to get off these Fentanyl patches as soon as possible, but if the incision is going to be painful for any length of time, I'd better keep some on hand.

I actually did ask my doc about putting the implant in the front like yours is and he says he doesn't like to do it that way. :confused: Something about not liking to run the leads clear around to the front.
It's amazing how each person's situation differs. Not to mention the doctor's with all their wonderful different explanations. And of course each one is convinced that THEY have the 'right' protocols. eegads.

site for arm/hand rsd
 

i'm considering scs and my dr will be talking with me about placement options; since my rsd is in my arm/hand, he said we may want to consider placement closer to the shoulder area. He has done many of these (mostly for patients with back problems) so he may do the procedure or work with a neurosurgeon for it. Has anyone had placement near the shoulder?

placement depends on treatment area. if legs are what you want mostly treated then the pack will go lower torso and should never be put in beltline(like mine). when i lay on my back it feels like itsgoing to poke thru the skin. hopefully its coming out soon as the scs never worked for me.

if arms are to be treated then it is placed up high(upper torso). i forget where is the best spot though.

i know pumps should always be put in the side and not the back. one doc who had done over 700 pumps told me he has never put pumps in the back and has done countless revisions from other docs who have put the pump in the back. i am currently going thru pump trial so i asked lots of questions about the pump last few weeks.

Lumbar and lower extremity coverage
 

Hi Rrae- By now you have long since had the SCS implant, but I chime in for other readers with what I am learning. Since my neuropathic pain is lower extremity left and right legs, my surgeon [oh yes, I did meet him this week- GREAT guy and caring] spoke of placement of the generator in my left hip region opposite my most profound symptoms; thus, my right side will be the way for me if the Trial works.

Hey, and I hope your implant is healing up and working wonderfully!!!!! :hug:

Thank you for sharing!
Mark56

Thank you Mark!
 

I VERY much appreciate you weighing in! I feel it's important to 'bump' some of these threads back to the top, because, like you said - for the sake of new folks coming here.
You're a great guy :winky:

It's surprises me how things sometimes go against what OUR 'logic' may deduce.....I really DID put alot of thought into this issue, and according to what I thought would be best, well, it ended up going in the opposite side! And I'm grateful for that!
I'm right handed, sleep on my left side more, so I thought having the IPG placed on my right side would make the most sense. Well, my battery is on the LEFT side and I'm GLAD for this! Like you, my pain is both legs, lower extremity issue, so the battery goes in hip/butt area (some Dr's place them in the abdomen).
It works great for me, because I use the handy dandy extension antena over the IPG site on the left side and am able to use the controller (that the antenna is attached to) with my RIGHT hand. Being right-handed, makes sense to be able to use the controller with the right hand. :rolleyes:

But, even more important to me was the fact that I'm able to wear my normal pants without the battery or the scar being irritated ! Battery was implanted below the waist (which also went against what 'my' logic thought was best)....

.....aneeeway, I re-read this post and it's pretty bass-ackward and confusing :confused: :o ....
Bottom line: each person is different. period. different things work best for different people.....? :p

Ok, this has been my profound knowledge of the day to share.
Good Lord! I do apologize if this post sparked a headache in any potential reader..... :lookaround:

Most interesting......

I think it totally depends on the person and surgeon. I, too, have pain in both my legs and lower back. My surgeon placed the battery on my right side slightly above my hip. I have had no problems so far. Actually I'm pretty happy with the placement. (knock on wood!!) It does not affect any of my jeans or dress pants that I wear and it is really easy to get to when I need to program or charge. I sleep mostly on my left side so that worked out well. Although, I have rolled over on my right side a few times. It's still a little tender so I didn't stay that way for long. I am right handed but am a bit ambidextrous so I don't have a problem with the controller.

I think it's something that should certainly be discussed with your surgeon about the pros and cons of the placement. I know one of the questions my surgeon asked was if I would have a problem with where the scar was......referring if I wanted to wear a bikini or something. I figured I already had a scar from a c-section.....I was going to have one on my back from the leads....why not have another on my side!! I guess I need one more on the left side to even me out!!! LOL!! Maybe I should settle for a tatoo of a scar on the left side!!! Ha, ha!! :)

Thank you Rrae and Klz
 

Hey you two- Thank you for weighing in on the generator/battery placement. While I know I have no worry regarding my bathing suit attire :) , I was certainly interested in the range of discomfort and the like associated with the placement. It seems logical in the waist/hip area as a means of ready reaching for recharging and reprogramming. Sleeping? Well right now I sleep primarily on my left side, well... more left front as I kinda straddle a body pillow in the effort to keep pressure off of those painful nerves. Sleep is a medicated event for me presently, so I will surely look forward to possibly eliminating or reducing meds pertinent to sleep..... you know, reduce the prescribed pill intake if things go well.

Truthfully, all of this has been a pain for me, one who often refused even so much as a Tylenol to help if plagued with a headache before those darned cars hit me from behind. So, your helpful comments are gold to me as we pursue the SCS approach. :)

You all are great! :grouphug:
Mark56

My IP doctor placed my stimulator on my right side just to the outside of the sacro-illiac joint and just below the natural waist. My implant surgery was in Dec 09 and it has taken this long for me to get used to it being there.
I'll be the first to admit that I'm not overly happy with the position of my implant as it catches against my computer chair (but then..i'm in this sucker way too much anyways so maybe bumping my implant will get me out of this chair more!)
I'm one of those "sleep on all sides" people so no matter where he put it, I'd eventually end up laying on it but I do seem to sleep ok with it where it is. I've developed pain at the stimulator site that I think is due to the implant resting over a muscle that isn't all that happy to be pressed on constantly.
I'm considering putting a lidoderm patch over the implant to take care of that minor annoyance. I don't even notice it anymore when I'm wearing jeans but if I put on a belt its screaming at me after a few hours. I probably would have preferred to have it implanted on my lower abdomen but as I've already had 2 major surgeries on my lower abdomen, I have way too much scar tissue there for the implant to be happy in that area.

Placement of battery
 

I've had 2 SCSes by 2 different surgeons in 2 different cities. Both were placed horizontally on my left side a couple of inches below my waist; both turned vertically and slid down to 2 or 3" from the outside on my left hip. I blamed the slippage of the first one on losing 35+ pounds; but the 2nd one must be because I have a flat butt so there's nothing to hold it up where it's supposed to be. I'm a side sleeper, and some mornings I wake to feel it digging into my hip/butt muscle, but not often so far.

My first surgeon told me no insurance company would pay to have it repositioned. Because my leads were not originally placed high enough to cover my pain, and the first surgeon didn't want to go higher, I saw another surgeon who had no problem w/tying off the first leads and inserting one higher. In the meantime and before my second surgery, the connection between the pack and the lead was broken (it was called a "fractured lead") so the insurance paid for a new pack as well as the higher lead. Within a month or so, the new pack slid to where it seems to be staying. I'd say it's where the first one also slid and stayed. My second surgery was November 4, 2009; my first in September, 2007.

Good reading
 

Ive just come across this thread regarding placement of the IPG for you SCS. Worth a visit I feel. Its interesting to read the different opinions of the different doctors. My IPG Is on my left hip/butt . Now while I was back with my Consultant yesterday I did ask him why it was on my 'belt line' . He told me that it was 'normal' to place it there, that he has performed many implants and this is the most popular option, that if it was further down my butt it would be too painful and awkward to sit on and he wasnt happy to put it in my abdomen. I did mention that my jeans will be just about on it, unless of course I wear Simon Cowell pants:eek::D. At present I just wear sweat pants as Im only 4 weeks over surgery. I do hope though that I will be able to wear my jeans properly again!:)


Jackie :)

Sweats here too
 

Loose fitting comfy attire is a necessity post surgically. For a long time it was sweats or loose basketball shorts/soccer/football shorts for me. Then I "graduated" to belted attire a few weeks ago, still mindful that with the generator site a bit sore when pressed upon despite decreased swelling I am able to move around and sit. Swelling is abating. Therapist confirmed this again for me yesterday as he gave the post torture rubdown. Even so, high on hip, if pressed, a bit sore. Just glad it is not lower in my bum.

And as for Cowell pants..... I don't think so. Don't wanna emulate him.:eek::D

:hug:z
Mark56:)

Way to go Jackie!!
 

Thanks for bumping this thread up!! Good Call!
I forgot about this thread!

.......you'll be wearing your 'normal' pants in no time, dear friend. :hug:

Have a great day!
You've certainly made mine! And YOU TOO, Mark!!
:grouphug:

Ok, now I'm confused. Looks like a thread from April but is showing up under 9/4/10:confused: If it's being brought up to date so it doesn't get lost in the archives, then I'll add my two cents (one cent for each implant):D

My dr. asked me several questions before surgery like how do I sleep, where do my pants hit me in the waist etc. But I think he already had in mind approx. where he'd put the implants. Mine are on each side, right below my natural waistline, above my buttock area. He put them in a little close to the spine as I'm a side sleeper. The 2 inch incision is approx. where my scar was from having the L5-S1 fusion, but off to the side a little. As he was able to put all 4 leads in through there, I was able to walk out without any cervical incisions.

I have yet to wear regular pants or jeans as I'm still sore. I did try on my jeans and seems the battery will be right below my jean's waistband. Will definitely force me to watch my weight as it seems like it could get uncomfortable wearing those jeans should I gain any weight. Anyhow, as my husband says, women can get away with wearing "stretchy" pants. :D

Boy, do I feel like a dope....didn't notice this had "Page 2" :paperbag:

Now it makes sense.

Ahem....
 

With all due regard for gender distinctions, we who come down on the guy side can also wear elastic waist pants during healing.... need I mention sweats, basketball shorts, swim trunks and the like?:D Stretchy is comfy during the heal the bod phase. Yep!:D

Mark56

Oh no!!!
 

Tried on some jeans today, and they were a bit too tight:eek:, well too tight to wear just yet I might add;) Im still quite sore, thought by now I would be further along, as well. Depending on which jeans I wear, I wear hipsters and ones just on my waist, my IPG will now determine WHAT ones I can wear. As Ive said before the waistband of my jeans are right on the battery which is a pain. When I mentioned it to my Dr he said ,well this is the 'crest' of your waist (the bit that goes in I expect:D) and he generally puts it down about 2 inches from there! MEN!!! :D Obviously fashion doesnt come into it:cool:

Fiona you sound so much more upbeat this week which is great. Im glad to see your 'getting there' too.:hug:

You!
 

FIONA! Give me back my sack!!!! :eek:

Mark: I was going by my husband's view in that he doesn't like to wear "stretchy" pants...maybe it's 'cuz he's thin and they fall down too easily (now don't you tell him I said that or I'll be in trooouble!):o

Big smilie
 

BIG SMILIE:D
Mark56 of great girth.......:)

Bumping this thread up!
 

Since several here are asking about battey placement, I thought I'd just bump this thread up since it has a lot of great input from our SCSers!

Keep in mind, if you lose weight after your battery has been placed, it will seem like the battery is 'getting closer' to the top of the skin.....
So, if you have weight to lose due to being inactive because of your pain condition, you may want to take this in to account and talk to Dr about it.....

I lost 25 lbs after my implant and I thought the battery was trying to make it's way to the top! But it's ok now......yes, i can feel the outline....
But it's just one of the perks that goes with it.
I'd much rather have a little round wierd looking spot on my rear as opposed to being a lifeless nobody racked with pain!
:cool:

hope this helps.....
:hug:

Rae lol lol
 

'I'd much rather have a little round wierd looking spot on my rear'


:D love it:D

:hug:

I guess it's easier for the surgeon to pop the battery in your bum pocket rather than your tummy, and having to feed all the lines around your side and so on .. I quite fancied a tummy friend.

My daughter comes to me at times and says .. "Mum, what can I do with this!?" Pointing at her little protruding tummy after a good feed .. "I have a food baby!"

I'd quite fancy a battery baby ..

Saffy Saffy Saffy
 

By golly, it almost appears that you've got a biological BUTT BUZZ clock ticking!!! :eek:......... I wonder what the eval counselor will think about THIS!! :p...... You can tell him you've got pretty little outfits picked out to dress your buttbuzzer up...... Ha!
And you can take li'l buttbuzz to the parrrrk....and to the zoooooo
oh my...

:holysheep: crazy? us? :icecream: no way! ......
.......does this hat make me look fat? :Viking:

Hahaha ... I put myself down as "lonely" today .. Do you think I'll learn buzz speak?

Raeeeeee :D :D :D :D

LONELY???? how can you be lonely with this place ;) But I know what you mean.......:hug:hope you are feeling ok tonight !!

Saffy! Dawn't Beee Lonely!!
 

No No! You can't be LONELY in a place like this!
See! You're one of the 'gang' now!
http://dl3.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...wkd51hlx8d.jpg

We just hang out and be cool :cool:
:hug::hug::hug:

Bumpin Up an old thread!
 

:bump: Yep, it's 'bump' time again! :D


I see this thread has been bumped up a couple times before.

This is for you Yellow! (And for the other upcoming SCSers)....

Rae
:hug:

Thank you! I guess reading through everything it really comes down to personal preference. I always find it interesting to hear why people chose the location that they did, though, because I think reading the reasonings helps a lot!!

Overall, I think I feel more comfortable with the idea of having it in my back than in the front. And my BS rep did say that 95% of their patients have it implanted in the back, so that is something to consider too. As for which side, I think I will go with the left. There are several reasons for this when I think about my day-to-day life. Also my 6 week tunneled epidural catheter came out the left side, so it seems more familiar, and the back left is just more of what I always pictured, which I think should come into play a little as well.

One thing that seems to be a consensus is that placement will likely interfere with jean wearing for awhile :D Good thing I have a nice supply of comfy pants!

Wouldn't it be nice?????
 

If the loonies who design jeans took an anatomy lesson or two, because this attempted design flaw in the location of the female waist has just thrown all sorts of havoc for those [like my wife, and frankly like our college age daughter] who would like it if the bottom of the tops reached the tops of the bottoms. Do you get my drift here? And besides, then the SCS thing would be more comfortable for y'all of the female persuasion and design who have the generator put pretty much in the same location where mine sits. I mean..... GEE WHIZ I cannot imagine the discomfort of having a "low rider waist" sitting on TOP of my generator. Oh, and being long waisted as it is my shirts would never tuck in.

Allright, enuff of that..... the location for you Yellow seems as though it will be a good situation for you, and to tell you the truth, post surgery, I wore sweat bottoms until the incision healed up properly so I would not cause more pain..... but then like some stupid guy thing, I did go and use an adhesive patch on my recharge unit to stick it over my generator..... of course, you know that story... I never did that again.

You're gonna be fine, I just have this feeling,
Mark56:grouphug:

Hmmmmm what a dilemma lol
 

Yes it can be a pain in the butt, quite literally:D. I have my battery in my left butt/hip and its quite near the surface, well I think it is, although my Dr tells me its in a little pocket;)

Those low rise jeans are not so bad once they are low enough to go BELOW the battery:D also skinny jeans are good too once they are too tight OVER the battery.......As my Dr said its in my NATURAL CREST:confused:didnt realise I even had one:D.......I didnt get a choice btw I was TOLD thats where it will go.....although Im glad it wasnt in my abdomen! phew!!!

Yoga pants worked great for me. They are light weight and easy to pull up over your bandages without too much effort. Good luck Yellow.
Sandy Kay

Bump!
 

My stim was implanted in my belly region on Tuesday last, to the left of my belly button. Seems as good a place as any and easy for recharging the unit. I have to come up with a pet name for the stim so that I can enter a Christmas draw in the hospital I've been informed! :):) Trying to think of something that's not too twee and worthy since I'm not the type that goes in for pet names for inanimate objects. My car is just 'the car' or at best 'that flamin' old jalopy!'

Now my kids and dogs are another matter. Poor things never know who I'm calling what with all the 'honey' 'sweetheart' 'pet' 'redzer' 'squirty mac squirt squirt', 'the beast', 'ya mountain goat ya' etc etc. (The last three are for the dogs in case you're in the middle of dialling child services :winky:)

Pet Names
 

Rae is superb at this! Pulls them out of her left pocket, she does. I swear that pocket is a veritable endless treasure of wisdom, laughs, hugs, all matters we need and hold dear. The name she and the group came up for me was PJ since I have quite a bit of faith and it flows over from time to time. She even named a foal by that moniker as it seemed to fit.

Maybe she will come up with some linty piece of wit for you!
Here is a dose of prayer that hopefully will help your first few days,
Mark56:hug:zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Dubliner!
 

Believe it or not, we even have a thread on naming our buzzers!
We used to call ourselves the 'Butt-Buzzers', but so many folks are now getting theirs elsewhere, so that isn't politically correct anymore. And NOW we've got NON-buzzing folks!
So we need to come up with a new name for our SCS members!
Maybe Joan can help with this, she's got a great imagination :D

I'll bump up the thread for you viewing enjoyment!

Rae
:grouphug:

Well SHOOT! I spoke too soon.
I can't seem to find that thread anywhere!
If anyone else can, please bump it up....
Otherwise we'll need to start a new one on Naming our UNITS (I can't for the life of me remember what I named mine!)
I bumped up the Simple Comical Stupidity thread instead :D