question

hi - how long did your doctor tell you not to raise you arm after you get a pacemaker in stalled.

7 Comments

thank you

by mcarver2011 - 2015-11-07 01:11:28

i want to thank you all - it really helps to hear from you all.

1 month

by Lisamaruna - 2015-11-07 04:11:01

They said 30 days was the magic number. Not to drive for a week. I didn't drive for a month though or raise my arm above my head. It called for some bad hair days. I was all stiff so I suggest do your excersizes. I also had an unusual amount of pain.

1 month

by Lisamaruna - 2015-11-07 04:11:10

They said 30 days was the magic number. Not to drive for a week. I didn't drive for a month though or raise my arm above my head. It called for some bad hair days. I was all stiff so I suggest do your excersizes. I also had an unusual amount of pain.

6 weeks

by LondonAndy - 2015-11-07 11:11:10

I think mine was 6 weeks, but it was inserted a few days after open heart surgery, so not sure if it was all related to bones healing too.

Typical time

by Theknotguy - 2015-11-07 12:11:58

Typical time is 4-6 weeks depending upon how fast you heal. If you forget and raise your arm within that time period, don't get excited about it, just don't make it a regular habit.

Start out with light exercise at first. You may have to do some stretching of the scar tissue. Don't push it as you may pull the scar tissue (like I did), then have to wait another two weeks while the new scar tissue healed.

Some people have to wait for the swelling to go down. The top scar has healed but there is healing that goes on in the lower areas and that may take a little longer. It just depends upon how your body heals. No one can predict that.

I'm at two plus years and am able to do anything I want. So there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Hope everything else goes well for you.

thank you

by mcarver2011 - 2015-11-08 11:11:51

thank you this was good information for me.

here is my postop instructions for my procedure this wed.

by dhusemann - 2015-11-08 12:11:11

INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING PACEMAKER/DEFIBRILLATOR IMPLANT



Wound Care:

· Remove dressing from your incision within 24 hours after surgery UNLESS you have an antibiotic dressing. If you have antibiotic dressing: the date the dressing is to be removed will be written on the dressing.

· After the dressing is removed, keep the incision clean and dry and open to the air. You may shower but should avoid submerging the incision area for 2 weeks (hot tub, pool, bath). Do not use any creams, lotions, or home remedies on your incision.

· If your incision has a line of dried glue: do not pick or remove the glue. You may trim the glue as it lifts away. If may take up to 6 weeks for the glue to completely fall off.

· Check your incision for any signs of infection (redness, swelling, drainage, or warmth). Call our office if you have a fever >100.4F or any other signs of infection are noted at the incision site.

Activity:

· Do not lift your elbow on the incision side above your shoulder for 2 weeks following surgery. This gives the device lead wires time to attach securely inside your heart.

· Do not push, pull, or lift over 10 lbs with the incision side arm for 2 weeks following surgery. You may use your arm for other daily activities.

· If you are fitted with an arm sling following surgery, keep your arm in the sling for 24 hours and then only as needed to remind you not to lift your arm above your shoulder (for example when sleeping or exercising). Dr. Meyer’s patient will never have a sling.

· Driving: you may resume driving in one week.

· Exercise: you may resume exercising within 24 hours as long as the elbow on the incision side is not lifted above the shoulder. After 2 weeks there are no restrictions.

Exceptions:

Swimming: you can not swim for one month post initial implant

Golfing: you can not golf for one month post initial implant; you may practice your putting.

Follow-Up:

· Call our office scheduling department at 214-361-3300 once you arrive home to schedule an appointment 2 weeks following your surgery to see your doctor for a wound check and a device check.

· Call our office for any questions regarding your treatment.

· Call our office immediately if you have any of the following: Dizziness, chest pain, fainting spells, twitching of chest muscles or hiccups that will not stop, rapid pulse, shortness of breath, intense pain/ increased swelling/or redness around pacemaker site, drainage or bleeding from incision site, or fever > 100.4 F.

Defibrillator patients only:

· If you receive one shock and do not have any symptoms following the shock therapy- call our device clinic at #214-361-3332 during normal office hours to report the shock therapy episode. The device clinic staff will give you instructions regarding when you need to be seen in the office per your doctor’s recommendations. If you are experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, loss of consciousness (you pass out) following the shock therapy- call 911 for help and go to the ER for evaluation. If you receive more than one shock in 24 hours, go directly to ER for further evaluation.


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