PM and Swimming Techniques

I checked the older posts but didn't find anything specific about: Does having a PM prohibits improving on techniques, such as stretching far ahead with arm while doing free, fly, or back? 　I was working on that before having PM fitted more than a week ago.

Has anyone been really reaching far out ahead with the PM side arm in swimming after having PM?

5 Comments

Swimming

by Smart Redd - 2009-08-30 06:08:45

I do remember someone posting that - after a discussion with their surgeon about their competition in swimming - the surgeon left an extra loop in the lead for just such arm extension.

Other than that, I don't have anything related to swimming other than the fact that many 'bionic' folks still do enjoy their morning swim.

Certainly, there was a good waiting period after implant before swim training could be taken up again. Time for the leads to become fully imbedded.

As always, it's best to ask your cardio-doctor about your exercise plans.

Red

6 weeks

by Tracey_E - 2009-08-31 06:08:34

Run it by your doctor, but by six weeks you should be able to get back to what you were doing before. Did the surgeon know you're a swimmer so they could leave a little extra room in the leads? Some surgeons do it anyway, a few do not and restrict some stretching indefinitely.

yes to 6 weeks

by lamoureternelle - 2009-09-01 08:09:01

thanks for all the responses. i did run by my doctor today and yes but only after 6 weeks. he showed me through x-ray i brought to him that he had left enough slack which is good for the kind of exercise.

2 months in fact

by lamoureternelle - 2009-09-01 08:09:33

now i remember that he said before he released me from the hospital and it'd be safe to wait for 2 months. his 6 weeks rules for me are not to lift anything greater than 5 lb and lift elbow above shoulder till that time.

well that's not too bad to deal with.

no problem 2 years post implant

by gevans - 2009-09-01 12:09:28

I still use a full extention with my arms (an add a few more inches with body rotation) and have had no problems whatsoever. I also golf, lift weights, run, bike, and backpack. In other words, I don't let the device hinder me one iota. Life is too much fun to worry about "what if's" (of course this is from the viewpoint of a reckless,carefree retiree).

Gary

You know you're wired when...

Jerry & The Pacemakers is your favorite band.

Member Quotes

I just want to share about the quality of life after my pacemaker, and hopefully increase awareness that lifestyles do not have to be drastically modified just because we are pacemaker recipients.