Post op Holiday

Ummm

by WiredandTired - 2017-06-11 13:20:34

I'm over 2 weeks post-op and still getting heart pain and low tolerance for activity so, for me, there'd be no way.  Everyone is different  but watch those leads!  Yikes.

Flying a few days after PM insertion

by Selwyn - 2017-06-11 13:25:59

Yes, you should wait.

Wounds take 5-7 days to heal, and 6 weeks to gain almost full strength. You are at risk of infection at present. ( 3 days)

The vast majority of people after their operations do not have any problems.

A minority need medical care for complications in the first few weeks. ( 2.7% are said to have late complications).

It would be unwise to be too far away from the facility that knows your case until you have had your first check up. 

Will your medical insurance be invalidated with such travel plans?

In the UK you cannot drive your vehicle on the public roads for 7 days after PM insertion. 

Do they make these rules for no reason?

Enjoy the rest -Myself,  I did some bicycle riding  in the first week!

Selwyn

Post Op Holiday

by IAN MC - 2017-06-11 14:21:13

I see you are in the UK. I had a pre-booked holiday which I was reluctant  to cancel so I drove to the South of France on Day 7  , approx 650 miles ( as Selwyn says you cannot legally drive here for the first seven days ) also I had just had the dressing removed and the wound appeared to be well-healed.

I happily did this because i ) I felt absolutely normal and ii ) I was familiar with the local French  healthcare at my destination in the unlikely event of having problems

For some ( probably illogical )  reason I would not have been happy to take a 3 to 5 hr flight so soon after the implant. BUT I believe there is no need to remain cocooned in the perceived safety of your home for weeks on end.

Enjoy whatever you decide

Ian

Post op Holiday

by Hugh - 2017-06-12 05:26:27

Thanks for the advice

Should we decide to go away it wouldnt be for another 2 weeks 

Hate to say it

by dwelch - 2017-06-12 18:09:54

I would stick around.  My first pacer (1987), I think three weeks after went overseas (USA to Saudi) and was on an EKG getting my wisdom teeth removed (folks worked/lived in saudi would get stuff like that done there, was only 19 years old) and it sayd 45BPM but my lower limit was 60, and they didnt have any medtronic equipment in kingdom, so I could have gotten an emergency visa but wasnt worried about it so rode out the vacation and when I got back spent the next few months with holters getting the settings right, these days much easier to tune, but literaly today they called me in as I needed an adjustment, 30 years hace not needed one but am on a 3 chamber instead of 2 and had some issues, might post something in the forums about it.

I assume that most places you want to go will have docs and equipment, they wont be your docs, and may have different opinions on you.  they may not have your charts or access to them.  stayhing home, first off in the US after a couple three weeks you go in for the first checkup and interrogation then a few to six months after that, so I wouldnt want to miss that first checkup on a new pacer and leads.

I guess it depends on you and your condition as well, I had known about my condition for several years before the device, so what is a few weeks on feeling just fine for years, mine was somewhat preventative for what would happen in the future, where your condition may be more dependent right now to not want to deal with that away from home.

As far as aiport security and airplanes and such, nothing to it no worries there, day 3 or 300 or 3000, there are different opinions here but to be on the safe side you wont want to be lifting your luggage.

3-5 hours maybe that is still domestic, dont know maybe nothing to worry about, different doctors if you end up in that situation are going to want to muck with things and wont have your complete history, just saying.  doesnt mean your regular doc cant put things back when you get back...

Go for it!

by LondonAndy - 2017-06-13 04:00:14

I think I would be inclined to say it is ok to fly at a bit over 2 weeks, depending on

1. no complications/infection being apparent; 

2. when any initial follow-up appointment is expected, for any setting adjustments;

3. level of medical facilities where you are flying to (I'm guessing 3 - 5 hours is within Europe so should be fine)

4. what activities you might do when away - avoid vigorous or things like water skiing with a risk of impact!

There is a slightly lower air pressure when flying, but I can't see that would impact on wound stitches.

Interestingly, the British Cardiovascular Society says ok after 2 days - see https://www.bcs.com/documents/BCS_FITNESS_TO_FLY_REPORT.pdf 

Flying after PMhelp

by betelayne - 2017-06-14 21:47:24

i flew from Florida to Maine 7 days after my PM implant.I had wheel chair access in airports from the moment I checked in.Airline a attendants helped my husband with our carry on luggage.I did have to have a pat down rather than go through security.It was not a problem.My cardiologist made the wheel chair arrangement.Ask for the help if you decide to go.It might not be the best time for a vacation though.I was going home.Good Luck!