Recuperation Time?!

My husband just had a pm inplanted on 1/04/11 and his doc. told him no golf for 6 to 8 weeks to allow time for the leads to become firmly inplanted in his heart....sounds reasonable! Now, I just spoke with a Canadian friend who said her brother-in-law had an implant and was playing golf within a week!  What’s everyone’s opinion?!  Frankly, I tend to agree with our doc and allow adequate time but my husband is going to be a raving loonie without his "golf fix"!

7 Comments

listen to his doctor

by Tracey_E - 2011-01-07 10:01:06

Drs vary but better safe than sorry! It's better to wait when it might not be necessary than overdo it and mess up a lead and have to have it redone.

My dr said 6 weeks for lifting and raising the arm, but 3 months for golf. Maybe that will help your husband feel better about 6 weeks ;oP

It's Reasonable

by Bionic Man - 2011-01-08 01:01:12

I love to play golf. After my pacer I was told no golf for 8 weeks. We had a family get together after five weeks and we were planning on playing golf. It's rare that I get to play golf with my brothers and father so I really wanted to go. I called my Dr and he gave me the "Green Light" after five weeks. I played 18 holes and was in agony after. I thought I had yanked the wires out. I was afraid to call him but I had to let him know I was in pain. He told me to give it a couple of days and see if it got better. It took about a week for the pain to subside. I waited another three weeks before swinging a club again. I was scared to death that I tore out a wire. I was lucky. The Dr said I probably stretched the scar tissue. The smart thing would be to wait the 8 weeks although for a golfer that isn't easy. I've had my pacer for almost three years now and I still play golf without any issues. I don't even think about it anymore. I have heard of people just going out and working on their putting and chipping to fill the void. Although it's not as much fun as driving off the tee at least he can still be around the game.
Good Luck
Bob

Waiting!

by #1grandma - 2011-01-08 06:01:55



I had my implant October 12th and at that time I decided that I was going to do exactly what my doctor told me to do. And I did! I was VERY careful about my leads as I sure didn't want to have them redone. I waited for 2 months to lift my arm over my head and 3 months to lift anything heavy. So far I haven't had any problems with it and I'm quite sure I won't.

I figure my doctor knows what's best for me and I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Good luck,
Sally

Recuperation Time

by drashmore - 2011-01-08 08:01:12

I had mine put in Dec 14, 2010. My lead came loose from heavy coughing from a cold. I sure wouldn't swing a golf club. I'm just now getting the OK to drive, hopefully on Tues. I'm very my into the 6 week recuperation time.

Wait 6 weeks as a norm

by Malltura - 2011-01-08 11:01:55

It takes 6 weeks for the leads to adhere and the incision to heal as a norm. Walking is fine, no lifting period!

Don' be stupid and swing a golf club or they might have to do the implant again!

I have had mine 6 months and do triathlons at 68.

As an example, read my post JEM a few days ago of what I do with a pacemaker. Once it all heals you can do most anything, but probably not cage fighting or contact sports.

Wait 6 weeks, then get on with your new life, too many posters fixate on having a PM, forget about it! JEM 68

Wait and improve your putting instead

by Skyking - 2011-01-09 02:01:08

If youre a serious golfer, you'll take this time to give your putting game the attention it needs ;)

I waited the full 8 weeks and when I did play again, I took off 1.5 strokes just from improved putting. I used to HATE putting, but now look forward to it on every hole.

My ICD was put in while they did the CABG surgery, so it didnt go thru the vein, its routed thru the chest and attached to the heart outside of it

I'm not a golfer but...

by Edouard - 2011-01-09 11:01:58

...I am a Canadian swimmer. Even though I felt fine quickly after surgery, I was beached for 6 weeks. The idea was to avoid pulling out the leads with the arm-over-arm motion. This is something golfers and swimmers have in common: we swing and stretch the arm well above the head - a no-no if we want to the leads to setlle in.
Let's put it this way, if your husband becomes impatient and golfs too soon, he runs the risk of substantially extending his non-golfing period.
Regards
Edouard

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