women with pacemakers

ok, how do I wear a bra???
I know what to do about the seat belt in the car but - it's over 2 weeks now and I want to go out, how in the world do you put on bra that the strap won't hurt??? Do I keep a bandage on the site? I'm hoping some one can tell me?I'm hoping too that when I get back to running that the bra strap won't hurt me as the miles go by and the strap moves?
thanks you
Pat

7 Comments

Comfort

by Smart Redd - 2009-07-27 01:07:30

I'm not sure I wore a bra for the first couple of weeks. It was dead winter and a heavy sweatshirt and jacket worked wonders. Once I did, I found that mine don't cross the implant - they lay just to the outside of it. So, for me there hasn't been a problem.

My incision was 'super glued' so no bandage was ever used. Healing of the skin was relatively fast, but it took much longer for all the swelling and tissue to settle down.

Of course, every incision is a bit different and every surgeon works in his/her own way, so your placement may be closer to your straps than mine.

Once you are well healed - a good 5-6 months before everything is back to your new 'normal - there may not be a problem anyway. Nothing that rubs on mine seems to hurt.

For now, however, you might want to check out different bra types. Perhaps the kind I wear are just set differently than others by happy accident.

Best of luck with your recovery!

bras....ouch:)

by aldeer - 2009-07-27 04:07:43

My pm is almost two years old and just under the skin (a no fat area) and the wire is still very sensitive. The bra and swimsuit have been the most difficult as far as no pain. A very narrow strap on the bra that doesn't fit over the incision helps, but it does take trying on a lot of different ones. I had to give up my Speedo swim suits because of the strap issue, but I did find a great one at Land's End (the Greecian one) that is the most comfortable suit I have had aldeer

Bras

by NWGirl - 2009-07-27 04:07:46

Hi Pat - I agree with the comments above. After trying on every one of my bras, I ended up going bra shopping about 2 weeks post-op to find a couple styles where the straps did not rub on my incision. They weren't necessarily the best bras, but they got me through until the incision was more healed.

Also, I took a soft, clean cotton bandana, folded it up to the right size, and placed it between the incision and the bra strap. This added to my comfort, and I only had to use it for about 2-3 weeks.

Good luck, and Happy Healing :-)

NW Girl

been there

by Rattle Box - 2009-07-27 07:07:16

I've got 7 incesions for different surgeries. The last two recently. I am not over weight, but am "top heavy" . I teach in high school. I wear tank tops with and extra shelf and wide strapes under an open shirt or jacket.. This and padding over the newer areas seems to be the most comfortable. After healing I go bra shopping and it does just take alot of trying on!

lots of good advice... however

by pacergirl - 2009-07-27 08:07:12

This is what i did... I was feeling a little down after viewing my scar and it hurt like the devil so I went shopping... what any self respecting girl would do and bought the most beautiful strapless versions of bras that I could find! It made me feel pretty again and my hubby was too busy checking out the new bars to notice the scar! I really did this and it worked for me. I shall repeat this when my battery is changed out in about a year.
Pacergirl

Bras....and the likes....

by maryanne - 2009-07-27 09:07:58

Well up until this my 5th PM I didn't have any problems with straps from bras or cars. Now with my new PM which was changed from the right to left side I have difficulties with some bra straps but mostly the strap in my truck.

Anyhow....I tend to wear a bra that has straps that either have a thicker band or ones that are situated closer to my axilla(arm pits). I wear a lot of sports bras...again they have the thicker straps and I get great support and comfort from them.

So at the end of the day....the sisters are generally happy...and so am I.

I hope you find something that works for you. On an aside...I know this topic has been discussed before ...and there were some great suggestions....might I suggest you check out the search key on the top right hand corner of the screen and find other posts on this topic.

All the very best......Mary Anne

seat belt

by sam78 - 2009-07-28 01:07:02

Ok so you said you know what to do about seat belts but I sure dont. I am 6 weeks post surgery so i do not have that much pain but the seat belt rubs on it and it is tender. All I have been doing is putting it below my arm which is not only annoying but unsafe. What works?

Sorry i cant help in the bra situation because I was able to wear a bra without difficulties.

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You run like the bionic man.

Member Quotes

The pacer systems are really very reliable. The main problem is the incompetent programming of them. If yours is working well for you, get on with life and enjoy it. You probably are more at risk of problems with a valve job than the pacer.