Surgeon literally runs out of building

Fire

by AgentX86 - 2020-06-13 22:59:23

Well, that's at least as good a reason as any to beati feet. 

Do you have any idea why your heart rate is so low?  Dou have any pauses?  A heart rate in the 40s isn't usually dangerous but you probably shouldn't be driving until (a week after) you get the PM.  Listen to your body regarding the light headed feeling and make sure you're very careful with stairs. The fact that they put you off a week means that they don't think it's critical either.  You can relax on that one. 

I know waiting doesn't make you any less apprehensive but 99.9% of the time, there are no serious problems.  The procedure is vey easy (I like it to dental work) and you'll be up and around in a couple of hours.  Nothing to worry about at all (but you will ;-). 

Talk to your doctor about your normal routine, particularly how much work you do.  At 77yo, they may think you're a couch potato.  Make sure they know that you're still very active.  It matters.  You probablly won't be able to get back to your norrmal routine for four to six weeks (no lifting more than 5 or 10lbs, no raising you hand above your shoulder, reaching forward or behind your back).  That said, make sure you use your arm for everything else.  Do not use a sling for more than an hour or so at a time.  I used one for a week, when I walked (I do a lot) to take the weight of my arm off my shoulder.  You need to keep your shoulder mobile.

Welcome to the club and I hope you hang around after your surgery.  Many come here for information about the surgery.  After you go through it, you can help others.

Stressed out doc

by CyborgMike - 2020-06-14 23:27:40

Welcome to the club. Sounds like you'll pay club dues on Thursday. Better to have your doc in a good state of mind than operating on you thinking his house was burning down. Consider it a dry a run.

When I got mine the EP had five scheduled and it was a Tuesday after a three day weekend. I was number four. Patient number one had complications and it took the team 6.5 hours. One of the longest cases he'd had in years. So the rest of us were given the option to postpone. #2 and #3 postponed, since they were both getting replacement units. I was in a worse situation, having been admited for six days with HR around 25 at night (they'd wake me up 3-4 times a night). So, I went ahead with a very tired doc, but he did a great job and my case was easy -- thankfully.  

The first month is a lot of physical recovery from the incision, but hopefully your HR picks up and things feel better soon. Don't be shy about getting it tuned and adjusted to your activity level. Read up on "rate response" as this is an important setting. It might take 3-6 months to get it dialed-in. It is amazing how much good cardiac output can improve everything.