My wife who is 66 years old had double bypass surgery on May 6th. After the operation doctors noticed that her heart rhythm was not good which effected her heart beat so they put in a temporary pacemaker to correct the fault and were considering a permanent one, however after a few days they decided that as her heart beat appeared normal ( a number of ECGS were done ) a permanent pacemaker was not necessary. She was discharged on May 13 but in the next few days her condition did not improve - weakness and short of breath after taking a few steps. On May 16 her condition became quite bad like unable to get up from the sofa on her own or even walk a few steps without assistance, short of breath and weakness so was rushed to the emergency where her heart beat was found to be near 34 or 35. They again put in a temporary pacemaker and advised that a permanent one was now necessary. The pacemaker was implanted on May 19th. Her heart beat is back to normal and she is feeling better but still gets tired after the rounds of walking at the hospital. She will be discharged this evening. Just a note she has type 2 diabetes and on insulin.
My questions are.
1. Should the doctors have placed the permanent pacemaker immediately after the by pass surgery and saved my wife from having a line inserted thru the neck a second time for the temporary pacemaker causing her more pain. She could have been much better by now. The doctors in Canada are very qualified and competent so must have a good reason not to do it the first time but my wife suffered a lot.
2. How long will the weakness last.
3. Are more tests required.
4. Is life as normal as before with the pacemaker.
5. Any problems living with a pacemaker.
6. When can she expect full recovery.

Thanks
Tariq