Two Questions

I have two things . . .

First, what are your lifting restrictions? My doc told me I could go back to doing my daycare business 2 weeks post-op. I have 3 babies, all of which need to be lifted, weighing between 13 and 24 pounds. On another site I read a 10 pound weight restriction on the left side for 3 months. If anyone out there lifts children, you know it's practically impossible to lift with only your right side.

Second, have any of you had sudden swelling in the arm and hand of the side of the pacemaker insertion? My arm began swelling and actually turned purple today while I was doing laundry. It was tight and achy. Doc says he sees it often. I'm a month into this pacemaker and I swear I've had so many issues I'm starting to want to remove the darn thing.

2 Comments

lifting

by Tracey_E - 2010-06-17 10:06:34

Every doctor has different lifting restrictions, I've seen anything from 2 weeks to 3 months also. When I got my first one, I wasn't given any restrictions! Just don't do anything stupid, use common sense. I got a new lead with my last replacement and my dr said 5 lb limit for 2 weeks, 25 lb limit for 6 weeks, no swinging a golf club or anything else vigorous for 3 months.

Babies are a challenge! I would mostly lift with my good side and use my sore side more for balance. I changed diapers sitting on the floor so I wouldn't have to suddenly grab if they moved/rolled.

Sudden swelling should be seen to rule out a clot. Does he know it turned purple?

Good luck!! Things will get better. I know it doesn't seem like it now but you'll get to the point you feel good and are completely back to normal and rarely give it a thought.

restrictions

by Beckes76 - 2010-06-21 12:06:04

With my last two replacements I worked in a day care center. I actually had great co-workers. They lifted all the kids for me for about a month. I worked with toddlers so there are a little heavier then babies but still. I started lifting some of the lighter ones about 3 weeks after surgery. It wasn't that bad. But still I did it carefully. A lot of the kids I was potty training at the time so getting on the toilet and changing them that way. It was a little bit easier but worth it in the end. Just do it very slowly and you know what your limits are.

Becky

You know you're wired when...

You play MP3 files on your pacer.

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