Dont give up

I joined this club in September when I had my PM put in and have never posted anything. I was reading some of the new posts and figured I'd chime in.
Like many of you I was devastated to hear I couldn't work out after the implant, as I kickbox 6 days a week! I was on the treadmill and elliptical a week after my surgery. I was back on the heavy bag (with one arm good arm) in 3 weeks and stayed that way for 6 weeks as instructed by my doctor. I stayed away from Push Ups or anything that required my body weight to be held by my arms for about 3 months. Since then, I've been full speed ahead. I do lay off heavy weights, but more so to prevent building too much muscle in my chest. As you know, the PM sticks out as it is, no need to add muscle to push it out even more! So hang in there! Life is as normal as it was before. The scar is ugly, tender and itchy, but its a small price to pay for life!!

5 Comments

never heard that..

by turboz24 - 2011-04-25 03:04:24

My cardiologist claims that my ICD protrudes as badly as it does because of the fact that I do lift heavy. I personally would think the amount of fat you carry under your skin would be the only thing that would make it more or less apparent.

scar

by sarge - 2011-04-25 03:04:24

I have been a member since Nov2010, I have seen several posts since that time about the scar left behind from implant surgery. I must of had a great surgeon as my scar is not bad or ugly looking at all, in fact I have worse scars from when I was a child from all the falls and scrapes. Just throwing that out there for all the newbies...

reply

by ltraficante - 2011-04-25 05:04:02

Ronaldo- no contact kicboxing anymore. I really want to though, and am considering a chest protector. However, my gym went through this with me and they watch me like a hawk so I am doubtful they will let me in the ring!

Reply

by ltraficante - 2011-04-25 05:04:12

Ronaldo-
I'm 36 with Sinus Bradycardia. My heart stopped on an air plane on my way to St. Lucia!! I didn't know it at the time, I thought I just fainted. Went through all the standard heart tests and everything was fine, until the last test- the tilt table test, I flat lined 11 minutes into the test and had the implant put in that same day.

As for the protrusion, I'm relatively thin in the chest area, so I'm not sure if there was more fat if it would protude more?? I imagine if there was more fat it would be less visible. The wire sticks out more than the battery itself which i think is odd. I like my doctor, but its clear he isn't a plastic surgeon, the scar is pretty wide and ugly. But thankfully placed so that my shirt or bra covers it :)

martial arts

by Keri - 2011-05-14 03:05:27

I have just had a PM fitted. I regularly compete in full contact WEKAF stick fighting. Do you think that I could continue to do this with a chest protector. The thought on not being able to train makes me feel very sad. I appreciate in the grand scheme of things I have to put this into prospective and appreciate my PM more than anything. But I would appreciate your thoughts on this.

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I swim, scuba, garden, hike, climb, workout, play with the kids, play tennis, baseball, basket ball and rollerblade with mine with no problem.