After You Go Home
You must do several things to care for yourself after you leave the
hospital. Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed and may need to be
taken for a full 5 day course. Check your temperature twice daily to
determine if it is elevated (possibly indicating an infection).
You will most likely be able to resume your usual diet, unless your
physician instructs you differently.
Ask your physician when you will be able to return to work. The
nature of your occupation, your overall health status, and your
progress will determine how soon you may return to work.
It will be important to keep the insertion site clean and dry. Your
physician will give you specific bathing instructions.
Your physician may give you additional or alternate instructions
after the procedure, depending on your particular situation.
Activity
Patients are instructed not to lift the elbow that is on the side of
the defibrillator above the ear for 4 weeks after implantation.
Movement of the large shoulder muscle could cause the lead inside of
the heart to move out of position. You may be instructed not to lift
your arms above your head for a period of time.
Patients are instructed not to participate in any activities that
require forceful large arm movements, such as basketball, swimming,
and golf, for 4 weeks following surgery. If you have additional
questions about exercise, please discuss them with your Arrhythmia Team.
Driving should be discussed on an individual basis with the
patient's doctor. If you had an ICD, you will not be able to drive
until your physician gives you approval. Your physician will explain
these limitations to you, if they are applicable to your situation.
Patients are instructed to avoid sitting in the sun without covering
the generator site because it may become excessively warm beneath the skin.
You should slowly increase your activity over several days. Your
physician will tell you if you will need to take more time in
returning to your normal activities. Avoid heavy lifting, and
activities that involve rough contact with the area where the pulse
generator and leads are located.