NeuroTalk Support Groups - Where is the best incision site ?

NeuroTalk Support Groups (https://www.neurotalk.org/)

- SCS & Pain Pumps (https://www.neurotalk.org/scs-and-pain-pumps/)

- - Where is the best incision site ? (https://www.neurotalk.org/scs-and-pain-pumps/114340-incision-site.html)

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rrae (Post 639293)

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:

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 :)

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:)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackiekennedy (Post 691720)

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.

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by fionab (Post 692562)

Quote:

Originally Posted by fionab (Post 692562)

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:

Quote:

Originally Posted by fionab (Post 692563)

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

Now it makes sense.

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