Removing an Implantable Loop Recorder

[GCWhits]

Hi,

I am due to have my ILR removed in a few weeks, as the battery has run out. Having it put in was a piece of cake and completely painless, but it seems like it might be more of an issue getting it taken out - has anyone experienced this and what was it like? I am female and so the ILR is actually in my left breast.

Thanks.

[Crystal614]

Hi, my ILR was removed last year. It had been in for well over three years. Like you mine was inserted in my left breast. It took longer to remove because it was so embedded in the breast tissue. Obviously a local anaesthetic was given to numb the area. I didn't feel any pain put lots of pulling on the ILR and wriggling it about to free it, then it was removed. It was a bigger incision and dissolvable stitches were used as well as steri strips. A dressing was put on it, I mangaged to remove some of the steri strips after 5 days but kept the wound covered for 10 days. There is a scar but I'm not too concerned about it, it will probably fade some more in time.

[GCWhits in reply to Crystal614]

Thanks, that's what I was concerned about ie that it would have gotten embedded in the breast tissue. But good to hear it didn't hurt much.