Post operation questions

welcome!

by Tracey_E - 2021-03-30 17:03:12

Glad you found us and you are feeling better! The tenderness and numbness will go away, yes. Once you heal, you should be able to get back to what you were doing before, but with more energy now that your heart is beating normally. I've been doing Crossfit for 10 years now, been paced 26. I also hike, ski, run, whatever I want. 

Happy Birthday Wishes!

by Persephone - 2021-03-30 19:13:35

I hope your 52nd birthday celebration is a good one.  It's great to hear you're feeling more energy and are looking forward to what's ahead.  Moderate exercise (walking, stair climbing, etc) within your doc's guidelines is a good idea to help you start to get back to where you want to be.  

Tenderness

by AgentX86 - 2021-03-30 22:24:35

Welcome to the group.

It's a really good sign that you're feeling better already.  I know what you mean, almost a high.  The euphoria will settle some but you will have more energy.  You were starving your body of oxygen.

It's no surprise that it's tender and even numb.  There is usually some nerve damage at the incision site and it takes a while for them to heal.  Often people report itching, "ant bites", and sometimes sharp, quick, pains at the site or just adjacent to it.  This will go  away with time.

It may be tender for some time.  Mine was tender to the touch for about eight months.  It wasn't a big problem because unless I touched it, it was fine.  It's the old "Doc, it hurts when I do this.".  "Well, don't do that!"

Coping

by SteveV - 2021-03-31 00:02:25

Hi March 2021

I had my pacemaker put in in early January. After about 2 weeks I forced myself back to the gym and did all lower body work and light treadmill and stationary bike work.  After about 4 weeks I started doing very very light upper body work but was always conscious of not putting any stress or strain on the area where the PM was installed. (No inclined chest presses nor front shoulder presses).  Although very light; I did get my blood flowing and tried to get my different body part muscles activated.

By the end of February (kind of against my EP recommendations;)  I went snow mobiling. Took it nice and easy but did ride.  By mid March I was back into the gym 3 to 4 times a week and hitting every body part at least once.  I still keep it light and strict but I do get pretty good work outs in. 

My overall point is try to get yourself back into your normal routine as quickly as possible but at the same time be SMART about it.  Your body will tell you what it's capable of. You might have to push a little but don't over do it.

For me it was important to get back to being myself as quickly as I could more for my mental state than my physical state. After the pacemaker I was not good mentally and I needed to push myself hard to try to get back to being the old me.  Watching my weight come back my body tone come back and strength come back all helped me regain my self esteem and my confidence back. 

I'm still going slow but keep doing more and more every week until I can get back to my old self. I'm expecting to even surpass the old me because now I have my heart operating where it should be.

In summary dont lie down. Get back to the  gym slowly and keep advancing forward. I wish you all the best and would love to hear where your at in 2 3 months.

Ps my incision area is still a little numb and mildly sore but gets a little better every week.