Skip to Main Content

How long does it take to recover from defibrillator surgery?

Patients are often able to leave the hospital 2-3 days after the device is placed. Recovery is focused on keeping the incision over the left chest clean, changing bandages, and avoiding submerging the area in water. Lifting more than 5 lbs with either arm is also not recommended for multiple weeks following the surgery. It will take 4-6 weeks to return to your previous level of activity based on your age and other medical conditions.

What is an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)?

How do they implant defibrillators?

How serious is the surgery to implant a defibrillator?

How long is the procedure to put in a defibrillator?

How long can a person live with an implanted defibrillator?

How often do you have to replace a defibrillator?

* Savings estimate based on a study of more than 1 billion claims comparing self-pay (or cash pay) prices of a frequency-weighted market basket of procedures to insurer-negotiated rates for the same. Claims were collected between July 2017 and July 2019. R.Lawrence Van Horn, Arthur Laffer, Robert L.Metcalf. 2019. The Transformative Potential for Price Transparency in Healthcare: Benefits for Consumers and Providers. Health Management Policy and Innovation, Volume 4, Issue 3.

Sidecar Health offers and administers a variety of plans including ACA compliant and excepted benefit plans. Coverage and plan options may vary or may not be available in all states.

Your actual costs may be higher or lower than these cost estimates. Check with your provider and health plan details to confirm the costs that you may be charged for a service or procedure.You are responsible for costs that are not covered and for getting any pre-authorizations or referrals required by your health plan. Neither payments nor benefits are guaranteed. Provider data, including price data, provided in part by Turquoise Health.

The site is not a substitute for medical or healthcare advice and does not serve as a recommendation for a particular provider or type of medical or healthcare.