How & What Exercises to build-up?

I am a 72 year-old male. Love to ride my bike, walk, play golf. I am in week 3 after implantation of my pacemaker and want to start to plan a regimen of exercises so I can play golf as soon as reasonable. I am walking at a brisk pace now -- just 30 minutes, but want to build up. Also, any tips on what stretches, weights, etc I can use as I complete the 4 week initial rest period?

The docs haven't been much help -- just say stuff like, just gradually build back up to your normal lifestyle....

thanks, bikengolf

14 Comments

exercises upon recovery

by bikengolf - 2011-12-26 01:12:58

Thanks for all your observations. Perhaps I do overthink it and am a little too anxious to get back to my normal life of exercise. I will just take it easy and ad a little each day.

Are you over thinking this?

by TLR - 2011-12-26 11:12:52

You say you've been exercising and playing golf etc before the implant so you only really need to do minimal exercise to keep some sort of fitness level. 6 weeks may be a lot if you're marathon running to drop the exercise but otherwise it's nothing.
I personally think you should stop over analysing it and as soon as your doc says you can play golf and cycle etc then get out there and do it. Take it easy to start and just do what you feel comfortable with doing.
You'll be surprised what you can achieve even with an implant.

Overthinking the re-building

by bikengolf - 2011-12-26 12:12:24

I hear what you say, but somehow, it seems that after 4 weeks of not lifting your arm over your head that there should be some orderly logical process for certain types of stretches, etc before starting to swing a full-motion golf club.

Not everything in life is structured

by IAN MC - 2011-12-26 12:12:43

Hi bikengolf . I "bike'n golf " as well and I must agree with TLR's (and your doctor's)sentiments re doing what you feel comfortable doing. I would have thought that you should be able to ease your way back into biking after 3 weeks, as for the other love of your life, golf, then that may take a little longer before you feel relaxed about having a full swing.

I've read a few posts from golfers and many have said that they are swinging normally after 8 weeks.

I think recovery from PM is fairly intuitive.. most people probably lift their arm gradually and hesitatingly after the recovery period. but there is no structured recovery plan of lifting it say 6 inches on day 1, then 7 inches on day 2 .. you will know when it is OK to do it and JUST DO IT.

Similarly with golf , you will not find structured recommendations . Listen to your body and build up to your normal lifestyle as quickly as you are able to.

As TLR implied a 4 week break is nothing and doesn't require a structured recovery plan if you're a reasonably fit person

Best wishes
Ian

All the above and a bit more

by Tattoo Man - 2011-12-27 07:12:38

Hi Bikengolf.

Take it easy at three weeks. If you get on your bike, stay on the flat , keep your gearing low and the revs up so you put less strain on your shoulders...keep off hills that might get you out of the saddle.

Golf...now is a good time to give it up completely and take up a serious sporting challenge like Darts or Snooker.

Ian MC mentions that he knows golfers who were swinging again in 8 weeks...quite likely, but probably not on the 18th !!

Take care.

Tattoo Man from a very pleasant UK, currently about 14 Celcius / 59 F.

Looking forward to going to the Pantomime this afternoon with a group aged from 7 to 88...Cinderella seeing as how you asked !!

After mine

by walkerd - 2011-12-27 07:12:43

I was walking 3 weeks after my high risk bypass, gradually and built up, each week, then 6 weeks later after bypass had my pm/defib installed, walking is fine after that also, but trust me your mind will be going 500 miles an hour with different thoughts. I didnt golf until 3 months later and was very careful with the swing. Life is not over but like the doctors said take it gradually. I was told 6 weeks after pm installed to insure leads were good and secured, so why would you push it until then. Thats the biggest thing on pm installation is not to tear the leads out before they are secured. Hope this helps

dave

Arm Movement

by donb - 2011-12-27 08:12:24

I have always followed my Dr's instructions following my 1st implant and again with my 4th implant as it included another pair of leads also. With this new right chest site with another pair of leads my Dr. told me to move my arm to avoid frozen shoulder. This was just hours after implant in the hospital. He also removed my nurse provided sling and threw it in the corner. When asked how I can tell if I'm stretching too much he told me that the pain will limit my movements.

So, I know he did an excellant job with my right site implant properly securing the PM and leads. I've been thinking possibly with a longer route with longer leads may have been a reason for less precaution. I know that I find no leads under my skinny chest, 100 % more comfortable than with my 3 PM's on my left side and I am right handed.
Thought I'd kick this around if any others find having to go to a new site and worrying about it. Donb

Thanks re exercise advice

by bikengolf - 2011-12-27 08:12:30

I am overwhelmed that so many folks would come forward and help.

I must continually remind myself that life is a marathon, not a 100 yard dash -- and that is difficult.

I guess that I have been somewhat disappointed in the lack of a program from the Docs. When a professional athlete has an injury, they are all over them, 24/7, with rehab protocols, equipment, etc. It just seems that with so many pacemaker installations over many years, that there would be some suggested program.

And actually, my situation is somewhat complicated by having also had a TURP operation three days before the pacemaker. To make a long story short, tests and monitoring before and during TURP surgery revealed the need for the pacemaker.

bikengolf

Golf and walking

by Ehackworh - 2011-12-27 08:12:37

I think you heal both mentally and physically at an individual pace. I love reading everyone else's experiences and then just bumble through at my own pace. Some people ignore the rules totally and are fine, others stress and go the limit to do everything right and still have problems... Only God knows!

I am 62 yr old female and fairly active. Had to have my buddie in April for vasovagal syndrome and heart block following some bad chemo for breast cancer. Our hospital has a wonderful wellness center open to membership to the public and I love working out there. My Dr let me go back to walking the next week after surgery... Just no lifting my arm... Then slowly lifting but not above shoulder height and even chipping and putting by 4 weeks... Then full swing at 6 weeks. Yeah!! I was so excited 6 weeks to the day, played a full 18 holes! The first couple swings, I was a little nervous, then went at it normal. My advice would be, listen to your Dr... Research... Talk to everyone, read... Then listen to your body!

Complaint .. a step too far !

by IAN MC - 2011-12-27 09:12:45

We have to put up with alot on this site.

People boasting about how well they are, others moaning about how ill they are; then there's religious fervour and sometimes lousy jokes. People tell us they can walk upstairs, others can run marathons, some have suffered every heart procedure known to man, some only have a PM ..the list is endless

.... but now, and I can't believe this, both Electric Frank and Tattoo Man are suggesting that some of us give up golf. I hope you realise that this is sacrilege ! I'm sure that every golfer reading this will agree that the offending posts should be removed.

Ian

Golf is exercise, but it is life, also

by bikengolf - 2011-12-27 11:12:15

Thanks, Ian.

I will never give up golf.....

Yep

by ElectricFrank - 2011-12-27 12:12:27

I knew I was treading where even God would not tread with my suggesting of giving up golf!

It would be like my giving up lying.

I'm glad Ian is only demanding that my post be removed. I would have expected that I would be removed. (from the earth, not the forum).

cheers

frank

Pacer no problem

by ElectricFrank - 2011-12-27 12:12:42

Just gently rotate the arm through its entire range of motion a few times each day to get it used to moving. My only concern is that the golf strokes not only use a lot of shoulder motion, but are fast. It's really not different than building up golf before the pacer.

If you are really concerned there should be a physical therapist or gym that would have a trainer to guide you.

Or maybe this would be a good time to give up golf %$$#&&^^%%$ Now I did it!

frank

GOLFGATE

by Tattoo Man - 2011-12-28 08:12:09

Frank,...what have we started ??

Giggle, lets face it, I am a runner and there is no more pointless activity than that eh ??

Wishing all on the Forum well at this time of year

Tattoo Man

You know you're wired when...

You can feel your fingers and toes again.

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