Surgery followup

Hello again. It has been six days since my surgery and so far everything is coming along well. Still a bit sore (easing a bit, as expected). My only issue is my efforts to keep my left arm/.shoulder immobilized, consciously at least. Fortunately, I am able to continue to to work, albeit from home. I know full well that time will tell and everything will fall into place. I am content and assured that the long-term aspects of the pacemaker will have more positive than negative effects on my lifestyle. Again, I very thankful that there is a meeting place that all pacemaker patients can congregate and talk about their experiences and offer comfort.

5 Comments

don't immobilize the arm!!!

by Tracey_E - 2016-12-06 09:02:24

Don't lift anything heavy, and try not to raise the elbow higher than the shoulder, but other than that it's important to use the arm normally so your shoulder doesn't freeze. And know that we all accidentally break the rules from time to time, no big deal. After the first 48 hours, it's all precaution and unlikely anything we do will dislodge a lead. 

Thank you

by RonnieJG - 2016-12-06 10:19:09

Tracey - thanks for getting in touch. I have heard conflicting reports from different RNs, PAs, and MDs about the length of time for the recovery. Basically, it's one week for no [major] movements including driving or heavy lifting and then six weeks for tapering down my movements.

Recovering

by Grateful Heart - 2016-12-06 11:36:44

Everyone recovers at their own rate.  Some take longer than others. 

Each day you will see small improvements.  We all get there at our own pace.  (No pun intended).

Grateful Heart 

Recovering

by RonnieJG - 2016-12-06 11:58:40

Dear Grateful Heart and Angry Sparrow:

Thank you both for your valued experiences. I plan on taking the "six week" window with a liberal bent. I have always been a quick healer in most health-related situations but of course not with respect to this particular scenario. I have had my share of fractures, in particular, I broke my collarbone several years ago which somewhat parallels my rehab instructions for this case.

 

 

restrictions

by Tracey_E - 2016-12-06 13:50:24

Restrictions on lifting and raising the arm vary from a few days to a few months, depends who you ask. My doctor used to say 6 weeks, now he says 2. Driving varies again with the doctors and also if you were passing out before. But no one should be telling you not to move the arm at all! That's just asking for trouble, when they say resticted movement they only mean not raising it high. 

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