[Rrae]

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 !

[lostmary]

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.

[edever34]

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

[Rrae]

That means alot to me ! And I'll take all the prayers I can get!
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. 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.

[sukadog]

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?

[ALASKA MIKE]

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.

[Mark56]

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!!!!!

Thank you for sharing!
Mark56

[Rrae]

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

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.

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 ....
Bottom line: each person is different. period. different things work best for different people.....?

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.....

[kzlrogue]

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!!

Originally Posted by Rrae

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

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.

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 ....
Bottom line: each person is different. period. different things work best for different people.....?

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.....

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. 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