return to work

I have some questions on recovery time and how long everyone was off work after the procedure. Also how long before you were about to drive again. I am scheduled to have my pacemaker implanted on Thursday, April 4th and had in my mind that I would return to work the next Monday or Tuesday. I have read some that were off work for a few weeks and am sure some of it depends on the type of work a person does. I am a Human Resource Mgr and work at a computer in an office most of the time. Are my expectations realistic? Also how long before you are allowed to drive? That might prevent me from going back to work if that is longer. Just also wanted to say that I am thankful to have found this group. It is helping to make a scary situation more managable.

6 Comments

recovery

by kimbo - 2013-03-12 05:03:18

im 11 days post op today and if i worked in an office would say i would be fine to go but here in uk they like you to get first check before green light my cardio has given 6 weeks on arm restriction and lifting. Driving is a month but say really should wait till dvla get back to you but iv heard so many different views on driving we are right hand drive so we have gears and hand break on our left so depends on if you can manage these manouvers. As for the surgery i was a total wreck but can honestly say was not as bad as i thought had just a local no sedation mine is inplanted deep into muscle on left side which is prob why im still quiet stiff tight and a tad sore but i feel better heart wise NO SYMPTOMS as of yet, and im pacing on demand but had check 3days after and was pacing about 50% of the time.
your gunna be just fine please let us know how it goes.

On Workers Comp

by lahbigbro6 - 2013-03-12 06:03:01

For 8 great weeks I watched the Yankees !!

A lot depends

by ElectricFrank - 2013-03-12 12:03:29

Your kind of work shouldn't limit you much in going back to work. Recovery depends a lot on where in your body it is located. The simplest is just under the skin and below the clavicle of your left shoulder. That requires the least disturbance of sensitive tissue. The pacer shows as a lump on your chest in that area so some folks have it implanted deeper. This can take a bit longer to heal.The implant area can be tender for a few days to a week (more if it is inflammed).

There is a lot of variation in how people react to the implant. I was out walking the next day with some care not to jolt the site too much. Otherwise, I felt great. Others find that they more time to rest and recover. If you have the flexibility you might work half days for the first week.
Welcome to the group,

Driving depends on the individual doctor and sometimes state law. The important thing is what your condition was before getting the pacer. If you were experiencing episodes of light headedness or passing out then they will want you to avoid driving until they are sure the pacer solved the problem.

As for the implant itself there is really no reason to worry about it. I've had far worse times in a dentists chair. A helpful suggestion for sleeping the first few nights is to sleep on the side opposite the pacemaker and put pillow in front of you to support the pacer arm. This keeps from squeezing the incision site.

Hope this helps. Be sure to return for any help with understanding your new toy!

frank

Recovery time

by Jax - 2013-03-12 12:03:43

I was home from work a week and a half.
I am a lefty and the pm was on my left side so I took a little longer to heal. I drove in a week -- Just local -
But I work 3 miles from my home. I was exhausted from the experience. I slept on the couch for a few days. The height of the arm rest was perfect for me- it was where I was most comfortable. When I finally slept on bed I used pillows as Frank has suggested. All in all it wasn't terrible and I feel great.

This is something that needs research

by ElectricFrank - 2013-03-13 02:03:39

I read the stories of long recovery times with fatigue, pain, and no driving for months. Then I think back to having major back surgery in the 1980's when it was done the hard way. I was back at work with a full release in 10 days and felt full of energy at that. I was teaching electronics at the time so my work involved being on my feet all day in lab. The same happened with my pacer surgery. I left the hospital and my wife and I had lunch on the way home. I went back to my usual activities. Of course I had some pain if I moved my arm the wrong way, but that was to be expected. I'd forgotten about it until now but a couple of days later I rode my bicycle down town to pick up some supplies.

I really don't say that to brag. It just illustrates that something is different. There are others on the forum that have reported the same thing. Of course there are some that were in pretty rough condition before the implant and that can really affect recovery. There is also a difference in how we heal. I'm just wondering what the difference is.

Now having 8 great weeks watching the Yankees is understandable. I'm sure that is an untreatable condition, and even resting for 8 weeks is pushing it. LOL

just wondering

frank



Recovery

by SherriW - 2013-03-15 04:03:19

I have been off for 3 weeks. I had some problems with swelling and pain. Even though I work in an office, I would not have been able to go back so quickly. I guess everyone heals at a different pace. I have also been very emotional, which may play a part in the healing process. I am finally feeling better, and I will be going back to work on Monday. Just know that it does get better with time.

SherriW

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