after surgery don't do much

I had to wear my left arm in a sling eight weeks after pm/defib was implanted. I slept on my back & not raise my arm. A friend of mine raised her window & pulled a lead out of place.
I had two specialists that implanted mine at a large city hospital & they recommand arm in sling a long time. They give plenty of time to make sure the leads are anchor well into the muscle & all healed in due time.
I have not had any problem of any kind & its been seven years.

3 Comments

Hi Mended heart

by walkerd - 2008-11-29 06:11:50

8 weeks in a sling seems a bit long, but dont know all the things about your surgery. I had mine in sept after open heart surgery in aug, and only used sling when i slept for a week, told not to raise arm above head and no lifting for 4 weeks to give leads time to set in. Im new with all this stuff but 8 seems a long time not to use your arm. good luck and welcome to our club.

dave

After Surgery

by PeggyR - 2008-11-29 09:11:13

My doc also recommended sling, most of the time, particularly at night. I found as time went on, if I didn't wear it when I was up doing "stuff" I could start to use that arm in a way I shouldn't so decided to be "good girl" and wear sling most of the time. Although I made sure that I did keep the arm moving down low so all the muscles would not atrophy. Worked well for me (PM 9/5/08), doing fairly well now although still out of breath sometimes. Going through more testing through next month or so. Take care, good luck
Peggy

revise mended

by walkerd - 2008-11-30 06:11:30

I appolized I wore my sling for three weeks when I was in bed, thats what doc told me to do. lifting above shoulder is the most improtant thing and wearing the sling in bed stops you from doing that. sorry and the total of four weeks not over shoulder. I will say i did it longer but did use my arm a couple of days after surgery.
dave

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