Back to Normal Activities?

I had my pacemaker surgery on June 16th and hit my 6 week post-implantation mark this week.  I called the pacemaker clinic nurse to ask about resuming normal activities and she gave me the all clear (OK to raise arm over head, lifting, all other regulular activities that I was doing before the procedure).

Does this 6 week recovery period fit the bill for most folks?  Should I continue to be a bit cautious for another month or so?  I'm feeling well with just a very little tenderness at the incision site.  My first interrogation appointment is early October.

Thanks for any advice you all have!

 

6 Comments

Healing

by Theknotguy - 2021-07-29 12:18:03

Sub-surface healing goes on for a while.  The external scar of the pacemaker implant site can be all healed and you can go ahead and start taking showers.  However there can be sub-surface healing that goes on for a while.  Just how long depends upon your body type, how healthy you are, etc.  

At/about four weeks I was OK, but threw the ball for the dog a little harder than usual.  Pulled some of the underlying scar tissue and that took an additional six weeks to heal.  Surface was completely healed but underneath it was sure sore.  

At nine months I went back to working in a woodshop.  I'd be moving 55 pound 4x8 sheets and would be OK while I was doing it but the next day it felt like someone wrapped my pacemaker in sandpaper and scrubbed it around in the pocket.  Tylenol, hot and cold compresses were my friends.  There were also other twinges during that time that lasted up to about the year mark.  Mostly it was scar tissue being stretched out.  

Some people report "ant bite" feelings.  Sudden twinges that happen and go away.  Other people have reported sharp pains that last for a few seconds and then just go away.  And, of course, you have the people who say they felt OK at four to six weeks and never had any pain after that.  Lucky them!

Hope this helps.  Hope your adjustment to your pacemaker goes well.  
 

When to resume activities?

by Selwyn - 2021-07-29 12:18:33

Great to hear you're well.

Six weeks is ample time for healing. Wound strength is almost back to normal and  lead loosening is very rare after the first few weeks. 

I was back to swimming front crawl after 6 weeks. I would gradually get your fitness back and see how you get on. Sometimes the PM needs to be tweaked for exercise settings. 

Activities

by doublehorn48 - 2021-07-29 12:42:13

As long as you have tenderness, I would take it easy getting back into your normal routine.  I don't know what you rusual routine is, if it's walking and light yard work, I would think that would be O. K.  As long as there is tenderness I would take it easy. 

6 weaks

by ROBO Pop - 2021-07-29 14:51:41

You're fine, maybe a little weak but if it feels good do it.

Activities

by cardifflass - 2021-07-30 14:00:42

The cardiologist said I could get back on my rowing machine after 6 weeks and to start slowly, which is what I did, (10 mins a day on week one, 15 mins week 2 etc, up to 30 mins).

I find if I up my meterage now, nearly a year on, that the 'pocket' the PM sits in can feel a bit tender afterwards, so I pull back a bit the next day.

Don't be afraid but listen to your body.  it is better to be active than to sit about!

 

ease back into it

by Tracey_E - 2021-08-02 18:04:23

You should be able to do whatever you want at this point but there may be some lingering soreness and it's pretty easy to aggravate the scar tissue when we first start back to working out. This is normal, ice helps. Start slowly. If something doesn't feel right, back off and try again in a week. It took me about 4 months to get back to my full routine with no lingering soreness. 

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