Hi button, welcome to healing well. I cant answer for the defibrillator's implant but I had a pacemaker implanted in September 05 (I'm 33 yrs old). It tooks several weeks to recoup from the surgery. There really wasnt much pain but it was uncomfortable and kind of creepy knowing that I had this box in my chest that I could see and feel. Also, I had to be careful not to lift anything over 5 pounds and not to put my arm above shoulder level for well over 6 weeks as not to displace the leads going into the heart.
Please do let us know how your friend is doing...take care