New Member

Hello! I would like to introduce myself. My name is Jennifer, I am 34 years old, and getting a PM this Wednesday. My bradycardia problems started back in June when I had a gastric bypass. The night of my surgery my HR kept dropping down into the 20s. Everyone blew it off and blamed it on the morphine pump I was on. I told the surgeon about it and he kinda laughed it off and told me I had a runner's heart, keep in mind I weighed 325 pounds. Runner's heart, yeah right. Fast forward, a few months later and 100 pounds lighter. I had an overnight pulse ox study to see if I still had sleep apnea. I didn't thank goodness, but my PCP noticed that my HR never got out of the 40s. I started having blackouts and I even had a few episodes of syncope. I was sent to cardiologist and he sent me to the electrophysiologist. I had tilt table test, which I passed out. I do have a few questions. Is the surgery really painful afterwards? I have a spinal cord stimulator and that implant burned like you would not believe and was very painful for quite awhile. How long were others off work? My doctor just told me to take a week off. I work at Sam's Club in the cafe. I don't lift anything heavy. I do have some fears about going back to work though. Thanks for letting me introduce myself, I hope to learn a lot from the more experienced members.

7 Comments

Thanks Lurch

by jtickle - 2014-11-16 04:11:30

The gastric bypass has been the best choice I have ever made for myself. I do wonder where my heart issue suddenly came from, I went from going to the gym 6 days a week for almost 2 hours to not being able to do anything due to fatigue and fear that I will pass out at the gym. I still have to go see a neurologist cause they think the bariatric surgeon may have damaged my vagus nerve. It's the cranial nerve that controls HR, BP, and some digestive stuff. I don't think the surgeon did it on purpose or anything like that. He is a very good doctor. Anyway, enough of that. I know it will take some time to get back to where I was in the gym and I can't wait to start losing weight again. I still have about 60 pounds to lose. I do go to a psychiatrist and I am thinking about scheduling an appointment with him in the next couple of weeks, my regular appointment isn't until January. I tend to get a depressed after surgery. This surgery may be considered minor, but it's a very big deal. I have been wondering lately "why me?" and "what did I do to deserve this?" It's almost like the stages of grief. I am sure a lot of members have gone through this phase.

Recovery varies...

by Lurch - 2014-11-16 04:11:35

As Theknotguy said, so much of it is mental!

My EP told me no lifting anything more than 10 pounds for about 2 weeks. They gave me a sling to wear, but he insisted that I only wear it night for the first few nights or if I would be doing something and raise my arm without thinking.

Some doctors tell their patients not to lift their arms at all, or to limit movement for up to six weeks. It appears each doctor has his/her own restrictions. But, not moving the arm can create problems in your shoulder.

My wife has gastric bypass a little over a year ago, so I am somewhat familiar with that aspect. Having lost so much weigh will be very helpful in your recovery period.

I am male, 61 years old, and after about 3 weeks, I was back to doing about everything I was doing before the implant.

Good luck.

7 days for me...

by Runningmama - 2014-11-16 05:11:20

Tomorrow is my one week anniversary !! I still can't walk very well, where my EP ran the catheter to my heart is a HUGE bruise, but other than that, physically I'm good. Mentally and emotionally is a different story. The completely awesome people here have not only taught me alot, but have been the most wise, helpful, and understanding ever. You have come to the right place. I can't wait for the "Normalcy" to return LOL!!!

Two weeks for me

by rolson - 2014-11-16 11:11:26

I have had mine for two weeks, I still can't lift or drive or raise my arm above shoulder level for 4 more weeks. That includes hair shampooing with two hands etc. Your doctor should tell you, ask lots of questions, read as many post here as you have time, lots of good people here, kept me calmer. Surgery itself didn't hurt to bad and after I had really sore muscles around the incision but not to much to bear. The restrictions bite but is better than if you don't do them and have additional issues by not following doctor orders.

Restrictions

by WillieG - 2014-11-16 11:11:33

Good luck with your pacemaker surgery and recovery! I have had mine for 5 months now. As I only had exercise induced heart block, I felt fine before my surgery. I drove from Ohio to New Jersey the day after I can home from the hospital by myself. I couldn't lift my left arm to use the blinker light as it was very sore. But it was better 3 days later for the drive home. I was washing my hair in the shower after 4 days and in the sink the next morning. I think you can raise your arm gently, just don't lift anything heavier than 10 lbs with that arm. I had difficulty sleeping on my R side for 2 weeks and L side for 3 weeks. It probably took a month for my L arm to feel almost normal and another 3 months for the bra strap not to feel like it was pressing on a bruise and to not feel muscles pulling when raking leaves, etc. They forgot to discuss pain meds when I left the hospital, so I never took any. Am sure you do will just fine!

Wilma

Previous Post

by Theknotguy - 2014-11-16 12:11:18

Go up to the right hand corner of this web page, click on the search feature. Request:

Some Tough Love for Newbies

It was posted by donr on 2013-09-05. It pretty much outlines what to expect.

Healing rates differ from person to person. Pre existing conditions also determine healing rates too. However, what (I feel) most people will tell you is how you mentally approach the problem greatly affects how well you will do.

The "Oh woe is me" attitude means more pain and a longer recovery. The get-off-the-couch-and-get-moving attitude seems to speed recovery. Doesn't necessarily reduce pain but you don't dwell on it.

Hoping everything goes well with your pacemaker implant.

Thanks for the replies

by jtickle - 2014-11-16 12:11:40

I had similar restrictions for the spinal cord stimulator implant. The lead for the SCS was placed right where your bra hooks together. So I had big incision right there and couldn't wear a bra until the staples came out. Thank goodness for tank tops with built in bras. I wasn't supposed to drive and couldn't lift my arms over my head. Of course, it didn't work out that way. My husband was busy with work so the restrictions lasted about a week. He started a new job about a month ago is home only for 2 days a week, he drives a truck. I will talk to my doctor more thoroughly about my restrictions at work. I just started there a week ago and they are nice enough to let me off for a week for my surgery. Of course, I was up front with them during my interview. If they can't work with me I guess I will start the process of looking for a job all over again. I will be more strict with my restrictions since this is such an important surgery. I can't wait to get to feeling better and be able to go back to the gym.

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

Member Quotes

I have an ICD which is both a pacer/defib. I have no problems with mine and it has saved my life.