Your physician is your best resource after your pacemaker is implanted. Feel free to ask questions. You will probably be asked to see your pacemaker doctor a few weeks after surgery. This is a very important appointment, because it allows the doctor to see how well the pacemaker is working. Sometimes minor adjustments are required.

During the follow-up visit, your doctor will use a small table-top computer called a programmer to communicate with the pacemaker. Attached to the programmer is a small device called the wand, which looks like a TV remote control. When the wand is placed over the implanted pacemaker, the programmer can then communicate with the pacemaker. This is completely painless and can be done in a routine office visit. When the programmer "talks" to the pacemaker, the physician can use the programmer to make adjustments to the pacemaker settings. This can help fine-tune your pacing prescription. This procedure is painless and usually takes only a few moments.