Rowing quest to Sarbear

Hi Sarbear,
Thanks for your message! Did they place yours in a specific way different from the usual? If so please share. jzfagan@aol.com. The doctor is sympathetic to an extent but says the placement has to be as he always does it. It's tomorrow!

4 Comments

no it does not!!!!!!

by Tracey_E - 2016-03-14 01:03:22

That is for HIS convenience, not yours. There are lots of options to place it. They can put it just under the collarbone just under the skin (most common), they can go a little lower and deeper, they can do it closer to the armpit, they can do it between or under the pectorals. For women, submammary is an option. It depends how you are built what will work best for you but you don't want it stressing the leads when you row. My surgeon didn't want to mess with an alternate placement so he brought in a plastic surgeon to assist. Easiest job of the day for the plastic and the ep could concentrate on what he does best.

My first 4 were submammary, which was totally out of the way and I couldn't even feel the edges of it. I got a new one last month and they moved it to subpec but it's off to the side, almost at my armpit. Jury's still out if I'm happy with it. I went back to Crossfit 2 weeks ago and it feels awkward when I lift overhead. It's not painful, but I can feel it shift. I haven't been out in the kayak yet. I'm taking it easy and letting it heal more before I decide how mad I am that they moved it (still haven't gotten a straight answer why they did).

placement

by Sarbear - 2016-03-14 01:03:45

Mine is placed just under the skin, a few inches under the collar bone offset pretty far towards my armpit. I'm not sure how close to normal that is, but he said it shouldn't be an issue with rowing (may try sticking to starboard at first to avoid too much pulling before I move into port and sculling). I know I've heard of people who have longer leads put in to avoid too much tugging. I think as long as he heals an appropriate amount of time before going back he should be ok. I'll keep you posted when I try my first workout and see how it feels, since I don't have much to go off right now! Good luck today and speedy recovery to your husband!

Tracey-I've been thinking about going back to crossfit. How long did you wait and what modifications do you need to do? Glad to hear its still possible!

slack

by Tracey_E - 2016-03-14 03:03:48

They almost always have plenty of slack. The leads are usually extra long. Rather than shorten, they coil the excess and tuck it behind the device.

Sarbear, Crossfit is totally possible! I've been doing it 5 years. With my old placement when it was lower, I didn't really have to modify anything because of the pacer. My meds make my bp drop so I can't handle a lot of up/down like burpees and sprawls but the pacer itself didn't slow me down at all. It was just a box change this last time, no leads, so minimal healing time. I felt ready to start back with mods after the first week but the plastics guy didn't want me getting sweaty for 4 weeks. So I went back 4 weeks to the day :o) I haven't modified cardio at all, jumped right in. I've been going overhead but not heavy with weight so far. Have not tried anything from the pull up bar yet. I can feel it pop out to the side a bit when I go overhead. It doesn't hurt but it feels awkward so I'm hoping it settles in more, not pushing it until then. Today is 6 weeks so I keep reminding myself to have a little patience.

From Rower's Wife

by Rower - 2016-03-15 01:03:11

My husband had his procedure today and all went well. AND due to our questions about placement and his emphasis on the importance of rowing (on the river), which we got from Sarbear and Tracy E and a doctor friend, our doctor, who we very much like and who is very athletic himself, was amenable and moved it down closer to his armpit which he feels will make it much easier to row and we are of course hoping that's the case. My husband is able to get a lower rack at the boat club or allow the club monitor to put his shell into the water for him so he doesn't have to lift it over his head. (And he plans to get a lighter boat). So thanks to all of you who commented. Still would love to hear from other rowers on the river who have had his or her PM for a while and still row with sucess, but meanwhile many thanks! Janet PS Sarbear we know you are young to have a PM and our hearts are with you but sounds like it will all go well. Keep us posted! jzfagan@aol.com

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