Heart Hugger

[BAV Pt's daughter]

It has been mentioned to my mom to try to get a "heart hugger" before her surgery (I did find the link for ordering these). I wanted to get some other opinions first, though, if anyone else has used one. And I wanted to find out if anyone might have one they are interested in parting with, for a nominal fee, of course. They are quoting $75 on the website, and we are looking at so many expenses with the trip we need to cut costs as much as possible. But, if this is something that will make a big difference, then we will splurge for it. Any suggestions guys?

 

[Mary]

I had problems with mine because of my breasts. Heart Huggers do better on men I believe. I shipped mine off to another member who is awaiting surgery, and I believe she lent it to a member who just had surgery. If I had it here, I would be glad to lend it to you.
If I were you, I wouldn't buy one due to the cost. If it were your father yes, but seeing as how it's your mom, no.

 

[BAV Pt's daughter]

I appreciate the advice, Mary, thanks. Any other women have this trouble?

 

[momshell7]

Hi, I would recommend getting a heart hugger. My husband had one for his surgery and he said it was a God-send. He said it made a world of difference in the pain he felt . I know they come in different sizes so maybe if a larger size was purchased it would fit over/around the breasts better. I agree that they probably work better on men than women, but I think that it would be beneficial to have one. If you contact the manufacturer they may have some advice on how it would be best used on a woman. You may want to contact the hospital where the sugery is to be performed, some hospitals provide them to their patients. My husband got his from the hospital.

Just my two cents worth. I am very pro-heart hugger!

 

[aussigal]

Hey!...I would like to know what a HEART-HUGGER is ?...
anyone got a link or picture handy?.Please

Thanks

 

[geebee]

Hey!...I would like to know what a HEART-HUGGER is ?...
anyone got a link or picture handy?.Please

Thanks

http://www.hearthugger.com/flash.html

 

[aussigal]

Thanks for that...gee what a beautidea...

I have so much to learn still I see now

says it fits from 22-72 inch chest 3 sizes available...

wonder if it wouldnt be a great idea for the hospitals to provide these for their patients after this surgery , after-all 75 bucks is peanuts compared to the cost of this surgery.

 

[momshell7]

wonder if it wouldnt be a great idea for the hospitals to provide these for their patients after this surgery , after-all 75 bucks is peanuts compared to the cost of this surgery.

The hospital where my husband got his. They put it on him some time after his surgery and before he woke up. He said it was on him when he woke up and it was on 24/7 for the first several weeks. It made it a lot easier to get up and down, not to mention how great it was for coughing and sneezing.
I guess not too many hospitals provide them yet. They are relativly new from what I understand. Hopefully, they will become more common as the word about them spreads.

Michelle

 

[BAV Pt's daughter]

The hospital where my husband got his. They put it on him some time after his surgery and before he woke up. He said it was on him when he woke up and it was on 24/7 for the first several weeks. It made it a lot easier to get up and down, not to mention how great it was for coughing and sneezing.
I guess not too many hospitals provide them yet. They are relativly new from what I understand. Hopefully, they will become more common as the word about them spreads.

Michelle

Yeah, I was thinking they might have them at the hospital but wasnt sure if we should expect that or not, so I thought I'd check with every one here just in case someone had one no longer in use. Thanks for the advice. I think we'll try to find one (though not pay that $75) at least to try, so many people have said positive things, men and women, from what I've found so far......

 

[aussigal]

yeah!...I want one too...maybe we could buy a VR.com one and share it

they really really really look good and useful...
now did anyone know about how they work with ****ies in the way ?

 

[Mary]

Ladies,
You can call the hospital where you will have surgery and ask if they have the Heart Hugger. Our local hospital had them for OHS patients about five years ago, but has now quit supplying them.

I believe that I'm the only female VR member to use a Heart Hugger, and my experience was that they don't do as well with the female anatomy. The Heart Hugger works by snugly pulling the chest together when the patient pulls on the handles. Unfortunately, if you're a female, your breasts will receive more of the pressure exerted by the HH rather than the chest wall; thereby reducing its effectiveness.

I would strongly recommend the HH for men, but I'm less enthusiastic as a woman who has used one.
Mary

 

[901]

I was given a heart shaped pillow at the hospital and kept it close by for quite awhile after surgery. I didn't sneeze until after 4 weeks out but it really helped to have the pillow to hold onto. I also "held on" whenever I coughed, which seemed like all the time.
I found that my heart pillow was the perfect companion when driving to hold the seatbelt up off the incision.