Pacemaker -practical tips needed

[BionicWW]

I was fitted with a pacemaker on Friday and wondered how other women manage re wearing bras. Can anybody advise me on a company that specialises or has knowledge in fitting bras for women with pacemakers.

Where can i purchase seat belt protectors to relieve pressure on the wound?

[Rhinos67]

Hi,

I had a post surgery bra from M& S but that was more more my open heart surgery. Not sure that I'd've needed it just for my pacemaker.

Re the seat belt cover. I bought one from Etsy and it only cost about £5. It just velcros around the seat belt

Joanne

😊

[BionicWW in reply to Rhinos67]

Hi ,

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me. I will have a look at the M and S bra. I wish that the hospital had warned me, and others, that I would need a seat belt protector for the journey home after the op. I think it should be in the literature they give you.

Hope you are well now and doing ok.

Thanks again.

A

[Nickibmibile]

I had heart surgery in August 2023 to replace mitral valve and my daughter made me a velcro cushion for the seat belt, it's been great. I just wore soft bralet type tops until my usual bras fit again. However when I had my pacemaker replaced in February this year I have found wearing any kind of bra extremely uncomfortable. I am struggling at the moment because the box is quite prominent and a lot of clothes are restrictive. I'm trying to find more comfortable options but it's not easy. I've spoken to my Consultant about it and he is reluctant to do anything as it might make matters worse 😲. If you find any alternatives please let me know 😀

[BionicWW in reply to Nickibmibile]

Thanks for replying to my post. Oh dear, that is not good news that you are still finding any type of bra uncomfortable. I had my pacemaker fitted only 3 days ago so it is very tender at the moment, so I am going braless. However, that option is not sustainable as I have to wear really baggy shirts and cardigans and when I can go back to my exercise classes that would be a definite no, no.

I did find on Amazon a bra cushion which fits onto the straps with velcro. I will let you know if that is a success. Good luck and if I find something suitable I will share with you. It is difficult as we are all different shapes and sizes.

thanks

A

[Nickibmibile in reply to BionicWW]

Thank you, I hope it works for you. It sounds interesting 😁

[RufusScamp]

I find underwired bras uncomfortable, but soft ones are fine.

If you cant find a seat-belt protector, take a scarf or woolly hat you can wrap around the belt. I remember actually holding the belt away from the device for a few days.

[BionicWW in reply to RufusScamp]

Thanks for replying. I thought that underwired bras would be uncomfortable and that is practically all I was wearing pre op. It looks as though I will be making a lot of donations to Oxfam who can recycle them.

[EMBoy]

As a man, I didn't need to worry about bras, but I do remember taking a cab and having to sit in the back on the right hand side so the seat belt came over my right shoulder.

Amazon sell bra pads specifically for pacemakers - it might be worth taking a look.

All the best.

[BionicWW in reply to EMBoy]

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply. I have now ordered some bra pads from Amazon, i hope they do the trick.

[Hylda2]

I bought a couple of Damart bras that did up at the front

D

[BionicWW in reply to Hylda2]

Thank you Hylda2 for replying. That seems a good idea, as bras that do up the front sound as though they would be more comfortable especially as my shoulder and arm are sore, at the moment. Good old Damart. I only threw out one of their catalogues a couple of weeks ago.

[BionicWW in reply to BionicWW]

I had a look at the Damart ones. Yes, they did look comfortable but they were not available in my size. Oooo life is complicated. Thanks anyway.

[Thumper76]

Hi BionicWW. People have given good advice/ideas in reply to your post. I struggle with the bra issue too. Like Nikkibmibile my pacemaker box is very prominent and the wires are pretty visible too so I generally have to do without because the straps rub 😳. Will certainly be checking Amazon out. Hope you get sorted too and have a speedy recovery 😊

[BionicWW in reply to Thumper76]

Hi Thumper 76, Thank you for taking the time to reply. Sorry to hear you are still having issues. Going braless is not a long term option for me especially when I go back to exercise classes. I have ordered some bra pads and a seat belt pad off Amazon, lets hope they help.

I also might try contacting a specialist bra and swimsuit shop in the town where I live, they have been there for years, to see if they can advise. I have the added problem that I have mild scoliosis so my left shoulder is very prominent. A bit of a challenge for them.

thank you for wishing me a speedy recovery. Each day I am feeling a little bit better, in fact g0ing up and down stairs without being breathless is joyous, but still have to have an afternoon nap.

thanks again.

[BionicWW in reply to BionicWW]

Hi Thumper 76,

I have just tried a bra pad I bought from Amazon and it definitely helped. I bought a soft sleep bra "Cora" from Bravissmo before the op in hope they would be comfortable and it wasn't bad. It is a soft stretchy bra with wide straps and no metal buckles. The company does bras in many different sizes which is helpful. I wore it with the pad to go to a friend's house but, as you say, I will probably take it off this evening for more comfort. However, it is not very supportive and would not be ideal for me when I return to exercise classes, but by then the bruising will have gone down so another bra may be ok.

I hope you can find a bra that is comfortable for you.

[fantasyfanuk]

Hi BionicWW, I couldn’t wear a bra for some months after my pacemaker was fitted but it is quite prominent. Eventually I could bear the soft pull on styles and then moved on to my usual underwired ones. But I still had occasional “days off” when I went without and that seemed to help. Re seatbelts, I read somewhere about a baby sponge placed over the pacemaker and being so soft, it worked really well while the area was very tender. I now have a Velcro fastened wrap around which was very cheap and is just enough so that the edge of the belt doesn’t rub. It came from Halfords but I think a number of suppliers sell them. Hope you find something comfortable for you soon.

[BionicWW in reply to fantasyfanuk]

Thank You Fantasyfanuk,

A baby sponge sounds like a good idea. I have now bought a seat belt pad from Amazon but haven't tried it yet. My "chauffeur" is out playing golf. I would have prefered to have bought from Halfords as I do dislike buying things from Amazon. Never mind. If it still isn't comfortable, I will give the baby sponge a go.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

[Kelling]

As a man I am replying purely because I have had open heart surgery and had a pacemaker fitted and on both occasions was enlightened to the pain issues with seatbelts or even driving, which relates to the pectoral muscles that everyone has! I was told that for at least the first three weeks I should place a rolled up towel between the seatbelt and my chest, this eradicated all of the pain although there was never the need to do an emergency stop, thank goodness. Believe it or not the heart bypass surgery was by far the most painful to get over, dreading a sneeze or cough or the need to move in bed, however, there was little bruising. The pacemaker gave me a bruise that included half of my left chest by the nipple and almost all my flesh under my left arm - it was horrendous and if any of you ladies had anything like that, you have my deepest sympathy. Anyway - a rolled up towel is my suggestion. It really does get better, although, for me, very slowly

[BionicWW in reply to Kelling]

Hi Kelling,

Thank you for taking the trouble to reply and being empathetic to particular problems of women with pacemakers. Using a rolled up towel sounds like a really good idea as I am not sure the velco pad I have now bought will quite relieve the pain, at the moment, although, in time, I think it will be good. Up until now I have been using a kitchen chair cushion, which must look extremely odd , and doesn't quite do it.

Thanks again and i will keep everyone informed of how I get on.

[Kelling in reply to BionicWW]

Thanks for the kind reply - the nice thing about using a towel is through the choice of towel, it can be any thickness and as fluffy as you can get! Keep safe and as pain free as you possibly can.

[BionicWW in reply to Kelling]

Thank you.