When

Support team,

My Dr. stated I could not raise my arm for two weeks and that I needed to take a bath. The bandages are still on, when does the lump go away and when can I take a shower without any worries.

Coach D

4 Comments

Pretty Soon

by bobad - 2008-10-24 09:10:13


Hey Coach,

Not raising the arms for a while is standard to keep from pulling the leads out of your heart. My doc recommends 5 weeks.

You can usually take a shower in about a week, as soon as the incision is healed.

The lump will reduce in size as soon as the swelling goes down... usually in 2-3 weeks. If you're slim, the lump may be prominent permanently.

Best of luck,,,

Time

by turboz24 - 2008-10-24 10:10:26

I was also told no lifting more than 10 lbs and no raising my arm higher than my shoulder for 2 weeks. After those 2 weeks were up, I went immediately back to working out, etc.

As for the lump, it really depends. Is this a PM or an ICD? Probably goes like this for a person with average body makeup (not muscular, not thin)

PM under skin - still show a little, but not much
PM under muscle - probably not visible
ICD under skin - Prominent
ICD under muscle - Slight rise to not visible

Hello!

by Loopy Lou - 2008-10-25 05:10:59

Hello! I was told not to raise my arm for 6 weeks and not drive for 4 weeks.

I had a sling that I wore for about 4 days night and day as I kept forgetting about moving my arm about!!!!

I was using my arm gently after the first week as I was told I could get shoulder stiffness.

The dressing I had was a clear sticky plaster over the scar. I showered the next day and just avoided the chest area, The plastic dressing came off when my stictches came out after 8 days. After that I just showered carefully and used my hands to gently wash my chest. I had two scars to contend with as I had 2 surgeries on my chest within 1 week.

Just take things slowly but dont give up using your arm but just avoid the big stretching till they tell you to!

I am quite slim and the pm was put in under the skin and when the swelling went down you can see a bit of a bump - but it certainly does not show through tops!

Good luck and stay well!

Love & Hugs, Loopy Lou xxx

What to expect

by ElectricFrank - 2008-10-25 12:10:05

I was also told 2 weeks, but the recommendation varies from this to as much as 6 weeks. It will probably take about 2 weeks before the inflammation of the surgery subsides so you won't feel like a lot of aggressive movements anyway. As mentioned above the appearance depends on the type of pacer, where it is implanted, and also your body build. If you have thin skin without much fatty tissue it will remain fairly obvious. I've had mine for 4 years now and there is no doubt I have it. Anytime I am around people with my shirt off I mention it and let them know I am OK talking about it. It is amazing the questions I get.
As for activity I started using my arm almost immediately and gave my wife the job of warning me if I forgot and stretched. Even with her help I managed to reach overhead for things several times in the first few days with no damage.
One suggestion on showering. Tape a piece of plastic wrap over the site in way to seal water out of it. I used this to shower the next day after surgery. Be sure to remove it after each shower to allow air to the site.

One suggestion I give to all the new pacer recipients is to ask for a copy of the pre and post printout after each checkup. This gives a way of tracking your settings and hearts response to the pacer.

frank

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