Upper body and arm exercises permissable post op

limits

by Tracey_E - 2018-07-26 09:56:54

I was told keep it under 20 pounds and don't go overhead, other than that do whatever we want. Then when I got my last replacement, they changed that and said don't get sweaty or swim for 4 weeks. Not because of the device but because of infection risk. So, I walked. 

Warning.....

by Alyson - 2018-07-26 10:08:18

I followed all the instructions given to me when I was discharged regarding arm mobility, chose to wear a sling for periods of time to stop me using it too much as I felt everything was normal.  What I wasn't warned about was putting my arm behind my back (i.e. fastening my bra!!)  One month later I was back in for lead replacement as I had managed to detatch my lead.

Please just take it gently whatever you do Laurie!

Alyson

by Tracey_E - 2018-07-26 12:00:15

I'm sorry your lead came displaced. It's more likely it was in a bad spot or the heart muscle didn't like the way it was attached than your putting your bra on. Leads are put in the heart, run through the vein, then attached to the device. They don't put it in tight, there is often enough slack that they coil it behind the device. Think about it, it's nearly impossible for anything we do moving around to pull on it all the way down in the heart. More and more doctors are decreasing the time they give us restrictions. There's even been a study that patients with no restrictions didn't have any more incident of lead dislodging than patients with the traditional 6 weeks of limitations. I don't want to disagree with what your doctor may have told you, but it's sad if you're blaming yourself if you simply had bad luck or the surgeon didn't pick such a good spot. It's highly unlikely you caused it. 

Tracey

by Alyson - 2018-07-26 18:18:53

It didn't actually become dislodged putting my bra on, but that's the sort of motion I was trying describe.  It actually became detached throwing a back-fist at kickboxing!  I was cleared to go back and do what I could after 2 weeks and although I luckily felt capable, thought I would be sensible and leave it a month!  I left it 2 after the lead was reattched the second time!

Alyson

by Tracey_E - 2018-07-26 20:51:04

My kinda girl! I love that you felt up to kickboxing after two weeks. :)

Upper body and arm exercises permissable post op

by Laurie Stone - 2018-07-31 05:03:22

Thanks Tracey and Alyson for the feedback. My cut has healed nicely, so I don't think getting sweaty should be a problem. I also shower right after exercise! :-).  

Motion encouraged

by stevemerrill - 2018-08-20 12:52:39

Hi All,

Within whatever limits are set by your provider, I want to encourage motion.  I was restricted for 10 weeks for some reason and lost considerable range in my left shoulder (and I am athletic with no problems there prior).  It has taken a lot of work to get things back toward normal (I am not there yet and it has been a few months).  I was surprised how much range I lost as I was feeling fine with the motion I was allowed.  I have spoken with my cardiologist and the EP-nurses about what I belive was an unnecessarly long time for a restriction and I wonder if slow gentle ROM early would have helped to prevent the problems without risk to my leads.

Steve