Bi-V surgery, day 8 post-op

• by IronMan66
• 2009-08-11 04:08:07
• Surgery & Recovery
• 1541 views
• 3 comments

Off to the races today. Incision site still very sore, feels a bit itchy, which means the scab is healing well. I can finally sleep on my side, which has led to a lot better sleep at night (I was unable to sleep for the first 48+ hours.
I have been walking at least a mile every day, no issues. The only thing is that the incision site chafes against the shirt and becomes irritated. I fixed that. I got a large bandage and cut the ends off of it. Put it right over the site. Plenty of air gets in and out of there, and the shirt does not chaffe. Awesome.

Played the drums for about 20 minutes today as well. Light playing, since I do not want to chance anything with the limited range of motion. Arm feels ok, shoulder still a bit stiff. I can tell that once the site has healed I will have ZERO issues doing all the playing I could do before the surgery. Arguably, I'll be better and stronger since my heart finally works!!! That's good because I prefer to plan heavier and more strenous music and could use the boost!
Have my follow up appt with the doc next week. They will check the site and take some readings.
Only real issue is I keep getting these muscle spasms in my lower abdomen. Doc fixed it last week by lowering the voltage on the left side. . . but now it is slight, but still present. Not as bad as it was though.
UPS guy just rang the door- he delivered my "black box" and some other stuff from Medtronic. Strangest birthday present I ever received, that's for sure. Gotta go, this box looks complicated, have to educate myself on how it works!
Keep on pacing-
~66~

keywords: LBBB, Bi ventricular Pacemaker, Medtronic Concerto, Cardiomyopothy, 39 years old, recovery.