Post Surgery Issues

I had my pacemaker surgery 5/13, Thursday. The doctor told me I should go back to work on Monday (today). I did not go. I am still having a lot of pain in my left arm, shoulder and on the incision. The biggest problem is that I can't put on a bra. The strap goes right over the incision. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, what did you do? I can't go back to work until I can comfortably wear a bra. I feel better but I am still very tired.
Maybe I am tired from the night I spent in the hospital and got zero hours of sleep and very little pain medication. What pain meds did your doctor prescribe? I got two Tylenol, which was not enough. I feel that I suffered more than I should have. But I am very grateful that I got this procedure and will be able to have a normal life now.

11 Comments

bras

by Tracey_E - 2010-05-17 09:05:01

Bra's aren't a good idea for the first week or two because putting it on requires more twisting than we need to be doing right away. I layered tanks with blouses and I found a few blouses with pleats in the front so you can't tell. Once I could pull something over my head more easily, I started wearing the tank tops with the shelf bra built in under my regular top.

Another trick some of the ladies here found... do you have any shoulder pads left from the 80's? Sewing stores usually still carry them. Fold it in half and pin it together over your bra strap until the tenderness goes away.

My doc only prescribed Tylenol also, but when I asked for something more they gave it to me.

If you aren't up to work, don't push it! Everyone heals at a different rate. Some take off a long weekend, some take off a month, most fall somewhere in the middle.

Scarf

by cruz - 2010-05-17 11:05:11

I took a scarf, cut it in half and wrapped it around the bra strap. I'm still having trouble with the seat belt in the car. It cuts right across the site and is very irritating. I found a piece of sheepskin this weekend and some of those velcro round things that you peel and stick. I wrapped the piece over and velcro attached to back of them (it won't adhere to the "sheepy" side. It's tacky but works. I can't imagine going back to work that quickly. Even though I worked in an office, with the left side slightly "impaired" you aren't suppossed to reach and pull anything toward you and you can't reach up and you can't reach behind you. No driving for the first week too. Call the docotr or his nurse and explain your difficulties if being out longer than the doctor has cleared you for is a problem. Sorry you are having a rough time. It gets better...and by the way, I put my bra around my waist, hooked it in front then twisted it around and slid my arms in.......Just look at what us girls have to put up with!!! I wish I had thought of getting a bra with front closure (hitting myself in the forehead). Putting tops on over our head is tough too. I was able to put my left arm in first, pull it over my head and then work my right arm into the top. I had very few buttom up tops. I guess I wasn't completely prepared.
Cruz

After surgery

by ddl57 - 2010-05-18 02:05:40

I stayed home for 3 weeks. You tend to be tired before the pacemaker is in and you may not realize it. Therefore, you need more rest after placement. Don't be rushed back to work. It takes time for the wires to implant in the heart so not to come out of place. Don't lift anything over 5 pounds for a few weeks. The pain will go away with tylenol and time.

Glad to hear

by heartu - 2010-05-18 03:05:49

Hi Travlin!

Glad to hear you're doing better.

I had to laugh at your remark, because I did the same thing! When I came home from the hospital I was holding the left one in my right hand. Got a lot of laughs here. Now I am trying to find a bra shop where I can get properly fit. The girls are heading south and I am trying to keep them closer to the north! Bouncing around at 53 is not as pretty as when you are in your 20s! LOL...

Hope to see you here as a regular. You sound like a fun person.

I'm new at this too!

by sewnjoy - 2010-05-18 04:05:35

Just had my PM installed last Tuesday! My arm & incision site are still a little achy. I was glad to finally take a shower yesterday! No bra problems...I put gauze under the strap up until yesterday then went without the gauze. Seems to be doing fine! I have to go back tomorrow for the incision to be checked. I was told to take Tylenol as needed, & only took some the day I got home from hospital just to get ahead of any discomfort. Really, I have no complaints, just still uneasy about having to have a PM. I'll get used to the idea in time. Glad I found this site! It's great!

Bra!

by Hot Heart - 2010-05-18 08:05:20

Hi there, try one with criss cross straps at the back it will probably sit differently across your front.

Hope you soon feel better

HH

bra

by LS - 2010-05-18 09:05:08

I just left the strap off on that side off my shoulder. Worked for me. LOL
They sell a pad of some sort on the main page of the Pacemaker club.
Pain pills? They were never offered to me. I wouldn't take them regardless, they don't agree with me.
Hope you're feeling better soon!
Liz

sports bra

by nm - 2010-05-18 09:05:16

I have been using a sports bra which works better even though not much support. I am 6 weeks out from surgery. My incision is finally healing after an infection. I am still bruised and swollen. My arm, shoulder and incision are still sore but it is getting better. I asked about mowing the lawn but did not get a thumbs up yet. I really like to do that and get the exercise. I know that the seat belt is a problem. My pacemaker is on the right so driving is ok but not being the passenger in the car. Thanks for the advise in the above messages. I will put the ideas to good use. Take care it will get better.

What I did

by heartu - 2010-05-18 10:05:12

I tried going without a bra, but the girls are too heavy and pulled on the incision so I :

Taped a piece of gauze over the incision.Loosened my bra strap. This worked for me.

If you can get away with wearing a tank top and layering it would probably be easier as I always had to make sure the gauze wasn't peaking out for everyone to see.

I can't handle pain meds (makes me crazy!!!) so I took extra strength Tylenol for the first few days, mostly before bedtime. I am lucky that I have an extremely high pain tolerance.

Also, it took me about 2 weeks before I started to feel like my old self again. I don't think one week is enough. You be the judge and go back only when you feel well enough,

Thanks for the help!!

by travlin50 - 2010-05-18 11:05:13

Great advice from everyone. I enjoyed the comment about her girls were too heavy and pulled on her incision. That is exactly my problem. Missing the days when having "big" girls were an asset!! I found a rather large stretched out bra and wear it with the strap off my shoulder. Without the bra I have to walk around the house holding my left girl in my right hand - sexy!! I think I am going to try one of those sheepskin wraps for my car's seat belt. I have been off all pain meds for two days now and feeling much better. Called my doctor and going in the office on Thursday and will shoot for returning to work on Friday. Thanks again for all your help. This site is great.
Travlin50

Wearing a bra

by mendedheart - 2010-05-22 03:05:28

I wear a strapless all the time & works like a charm.

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