OKay to move arm over head after 4weeks?

My doctor said I am ok to do whatever I want Last week and it has only been 4weeks since surgery. I have been slowly doing things but still a little scared. What do yall think....I thought it was 6 weeks

7 Comments

arm movement

by Alma Annie - 2013-10-13 07:10:16

I was told definitely 6 weeks. That gives the leads time to work into the scar tissue. The nurses in hospital gave me exercises which were completely wrong and Prof. Sanders, my EP said don't do anything like that, you MUST wait the 6 weeks. I think it is better to be safe as it would be awful if one of the leads dislodged. Another 2 weeks isn't really very long, then you will be safe to do whatever.
Alma Annie

arm movement

by judyblue - 2013-10-13 08:10:18

My doctor said 3 weeks with arm in sling at night, and then arm can be moved over head. However, he said 2 months for everything else, except running. for that he said "months". I am confused why the timing of the leads being safely secure in our hearts is so unknown. Maybe I put too much trust in the almighty doctor's knowledge. I agree- if you feel it is too soon- it probably is. Listen to your intuition.
good luck!
Judy N.

Arm movement

by Marie12 - 2013-10-13 09:10:57

I was told four weeks. No raising arm above shoulder and not to lift anything over 5 lbs. I did start using my arm more at four weeks but I found it was until five weeks before I felt comfortable doing very much. As everyone has said, listen to your body. You will know best.

varies

by Tracey_E - 2013-10-13 10:10:05

Ask a dozen drs, get a dozen answers. In reality, if we were going to mess up the leads, we would do it in the first few days. The rest is precaution. When I got my first one (1994), I wasn't given any restrictions. When I had a lead replaced a few years ago, I was told 6 weeks for overhead and lifting anything over 10 pounds, wait 12 weeks for a full golf swing but anything else is ok after 6 weeks.

I would say go ahead and do what you feel up to since your doc said you can, just don't go crazy. Skip the bowling alley, roller coasters and golf course a little longer.

who knows?

by Jonny - 2013-10-14 07:10:40

I was told not to lift my elbow above shoulder height for 6 weeks when I was leaving the hospital following implant. Forearm is not a problem. However when I went to have my first check up with the technicians a week after the implant I told them I was worried about the arm above the shoulder as I'm very active. They said that I'd got through the first week which was the most important, and the main issue for the next few weeks was not so much lifting above the shoulder - which would be fine if done gradually - but not lifting the arm quickly above the shoulder and certainly not stretching. This sounded like good advice and seems to have suited me fine. I guess a lot of dr's are covering their backsides.

Varies

by Pacemum - 2013-10-15 03:10:55

My daughters cardio said to us 4 weeks for basic arm movements ( like lifting to dress). He said to us that after 4 weeks the leads should be secure however at 6 weeks they are even more secure and after 8 weeks they really are not going to move. On resuming exercise/activities some should be OK after 6 weeks but waiting 8 weeks is better. Most things can be resumed after 12 weeks.

Of course younger people may heal more quickly.

thank y'all

by kpacemaker - 2013-10-15 07:10:32

Thank y'all so much for the comments my body feels like I'm ready for more movement.

You know you're wired when...

You can feel your fingers and toes again.

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