I have had a pacemaker inserted and am diabetic how long will it take for the wound to heal.?

Wound care for diabetics can become complicated. Make sure you are limiting your sugar intake and getting plenty of protein.

The wound should heal in about 1 - 2 weeks. It is left open so that it can heal well. A surgical wound is best left to heal 'up from the bottom' when the sutures are removed and the sides have not knitted together (open), closing it again with sutures would increase the infection risk. I agree that one of the reason for the wound not healing is infection (keep a close watch), but the diabetes will not make a great difference if your sugar control is good. Blood supply to your chest is generally very good, as opposed to the lower legs.

did you ask your doctor how long it would take to heal every ones body is different every ones healing process is different it depends on a lot of things which we do not know about you to tell you none of us are doctors sorry do not want to do hard everyone can give their thoughts but please ask your doctor the question

Thay usually remove the sutures before you're disharged, or leave disolvable ones in. They should have given you some education as to wound management before discharge, as they never send someone home with a gaping wound. Follow up appointments are usually one week afetr discharge with your GP to check the site, and with the specialist 6 weeks afetr discharge to actually check the function plus ongoing to maintain correct function and battery life. Wound healing will depend on how well controlled your diabetes is. So try to maintain your BSL's in a normal range. You should be able to secure the edges with steri strips and an occlusive (waterproof) dressing. If you're concerned and its showing signs of infection or breakdown (increased discharge, warm to touch, swelling, pain, redness etc) get back to see your GP asap. Even if you feel like an idiot for doing it, with a new device in your thoracic cavity, its better to be safe than sorry...