Re PM and weight loss

Hi Everyone

Just reading the previous posts regarding PM movement and weight, and wanted to say congratulations to Peggy and Belly321 with your weight loss – well done!!

Future new pacer here with a quick question. I’m 36, always battled with my weight, but since my complete heart block diagnosis 5 months ago, I’ve been off work sick, told not to do anything that makes me dizzy or SOB (which even a short, steady walk brings on, so my gym membership is suspended). Consequently, the weight loss battle is currently well and truly lost!

Does anyone think it’s worth mentioning to the cardio before my PM surgery that I intend to lose weight as soon as I’m well enough to get back to the gym?

Does anyone know (or think) whether the Dr can choose to position the pacer deeper in anticipation of weight loss, or would they have to wait and see if you get problems?

I know it sounds like a strange question, but having read through the posts regarding implant movement and repositioning, I’d like to avoid that if possible and have them go deeper first time round. I’m willing to take the extra time to heal, just curious to know if I have a choice.

I’d also be grateful to hear from anyone with experience of PMs and weight loss (especially any top tips!) either on the forum or send me a private message if you prefer.

Thanks

Shelly

3 Comments

Weight Loss....

by sdjones - 2007-10-29 10:10:19

I should've mentioned that I have only had my PM since early June of this year and my doctor hasn't said anything yet about this.

Thanks Again,
Sandra

Weight Loss...

by sdjones - 2007-10-29 10:10:58

I had no idea that if you lost weight you would have to go back and have the PM repositioned!!

I have a lot of weight to lose and, so far, I've lost about 32 pounds.

Did ya'lls cardio say why the PM would have to be moved and what kind of problems you might expect to have after losing the weight that you need too?

Thanks,
Sandra

Hi Sandra, Hi Paula

by Shelly - 2007-10-30 10:10:48

Thanks for your replies and well done on the weight loss - it's a relief to know the PM doesn't (or shouldn't) have a negative effect on our efforts.

Sandra, I had never even considered the possiblities of what would happen to the implant site if you lost weight until I read the other posts on this forum. Here's the recent one from 'Belly321' that made me think:

"i recently lost over three stone in weight (deliberatly) and felt much better but developed problems with the pm site including the pm flipping over and moveement and pain when swimming. my consultant was very good (second opinion) and explained that all the problems were due to the weight loss and pocket enlarging and fat loss in pm area. he told me to keep weight loss off and im going to have pm repositioned soon. new site is going deep behind chest muscle. hopefully this should be much better as ive got more weight to lose yet. "

I'm very lucky that my symptoms haven't required an emergency PM, so I have the luxury of time to get my head around the whole idea while I'm on the waiting list, and I'm very, very lucky to have stumbled upon this site which raises issues that Drs probably won't tell us about - in the UK anyway!!

Paula, since your Dr also informed you of the weight loss/PM movement issue, I think I'll probably mention to my cardio that I intend to lose weight after my implant, and he can tell me if he can do anything from the start (like implanting deeper) to prevent movement. Maybe he can't, but it's probably worth a try.

Keep up the excellent work ladies, and hopefully I can share in your sucess once I'm well enough to hit the gym. :-)

Shelly

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