New. Pm

ask your doctor

by Tracey_E - 2017-10-28 09:20:42

Most of them don't want us lifting the arm overhead for 4-6 weeks so make sure your doctor is aware.

Other than not lifting and not raising the arm, try to use it normally. Otherwise the shoulder can freeze and you'll end up in physical therapy to get your range of motion back. 

Move it

by Gotrhythm - 2017-10-28 14:01:21

Beginning the third day after surgery, my doctor had me doing gentle range of motion exercises. I was raising my arm overhead by the end of two weeks.

I know it's counter-intuitive to move your arm when it hurts, but gentle stretching is the key to reducing the pain and getting full use of your arm back.

Don't raise it over your head if your doctor said not to, but do raise it to the front and side a little higher several times a day. If it's very stiff and sore, apply heat to loosen it beforehand, and ice it afterwards. But do move it!

By Nov 15 you might not be ready to return to the trapeze, but you should be able to safely lift it enough for a stress test.

My stress test was a week after implant

by ljharper62 - 2017-10-28 21:40:18

They let me keep my arm on the pPM side down. They had no issues. 

That said, I second Gotrhythm's answer. True, you should not lift your arm over your head for about 4 weeks (or 6 depending on your surgeon's instructions). But you should be lifting your arm to shoulder level to get your mobility back. I started working my arm gently at about 5 days after surgery and at 4 weeks I could easily get my arm over my head. Now at 10 weeks I can do just about everything I did before, including lifting weights with no limitation per both my cardiologist and EP.

New PM

by kmg021 - 2017-11-01 15:27:28

I was told no raising my arm for 8 weeks.  I dont know if my dr is overly cautious