Recliner

[SV2004]

Hi All

I am having AVR surgery on June 8th. From reading the previous posts I understood that recliner helps to sleep in the first few weeks after surgery. Can you please tell me if there is a particular brand/type I should check out?

Thanks
Sree

 

[Ross]

Anything that is comfortable for you to crawl into and get out of. Some people can't do anything else, some have no problems with their own beds.

 

[Mark Wagner]

I spent quite a bit of time in my recliner. I have a 'Lazy Boy' and still love it today. Keep the pillow handy that they will give you to put against your chest when you cough, sneeze, or laugh!

Mark



"To dream anything that you want to dream, that is the beauty of the
human mind. To do anything that you want to do, that is the strength of
the human will. To trust yourself, to test your limits, that is the
courage to succeed." --Bernard Edmonds

 

[SJJ]

You're gonna find it difficult to manipulate the hand lever style due to the sternum incision. An automatic or one like I used which you pushed out with you legs and butt would probably be best. Good luck with that surgery!
Sye

 

[Mark Wagner]

You're gonna find it difficult to manipulate the hand lever style due to the sternum incision. An automatic or one like I used which you pushed out with you legs and butt would probably be best. Good luck with that surgery!
Sye

Sue, I think that is why I got married .... so my wife would do all that 'stuff' for me! "Honey, could you bring me a cold drink." "Honey, I'm hungry." "Honey, where is the channel changer." "Honey, I would help you out in the kitchen but I know you wouldn't want me to stress my heart now." "Honey, now about that hand lever ...... " (Sue ... I am talking about the chair!)


Mark

 

[hensylee]

If you are going to a store to check them out, just sit in each one and get the one that you feel is easiest for YOU to work. Some have handles, some have buttons, some are leg ones. I didn't sleep in one. I just used plenty of pillows to prop against my back in bed and of course, the one for the chest (little one like the one they give you in the hospital). When lying down in your bed, tho, it's a bit difficult to get up or sit up from that position.

 

[Georgia]

Just sit in lots until you find one that fits you. My husband's "lay-back chair" always gave me a headache because he's so tall & the head pillow hit me wrong. I was astonished that there was a recliner that I was totally comfortable in. I have a Laz-y-boy too, but think the brand is irrelevant; except that Laz-y-boy makes so many of them that you're probably more likely to find one that fits you than with other brands. And their mechanisms work smoothly and well.

 

[tobagotwo]

Just a note: a lot of people do sleep in bed, both in the hospital and upon returning home (I am one).

However, after walking, you should go to a place where you can rest and have your feet up. You can do that on a couch or bed, but a recliner sure does feel good.

You should find one that's comfortable to you. Better if you can find one your spouse also likes, but as your legs are usually different lengths, that may be difficult. One thing I would mention is that the popular ones that have the soft, mushy stuffed arms don't seem to last - soon your elbows are resting on the wood underneath, as all that stuffing goes to nothing.

Turns out that ours is a Lazy Boy, too.

Enjoy your furniture hunting.

 

[Raverlaw]

Although I was able to sleep in the bed, I spent a lot of time in my recliner, resting with my feet up. The lever was easy to use, but leaning forward to get out was a problem at first, since you can't push off with your arms because of the sternum.

Keep a blanket handy, as you will feel chilled; keep that pillow handy for coughs and sneezes (ouch ).

 

[Lisa]

I slept in the bed from my first night home. To get out of the bed, I crushed the heart pillow to my chest and rolled out. I used the same motion that you use to turn over in the bed. I only used a recliner in the hospital.

 

[Granbonny]

I was told on a Thursday about my aneurysm..I spent the weekend at daughter's home..Then surgery..We never thought about my recovery at home..When they brought me home, my daughter and hubby, went upstairs and brought a twin bed down to Living room. Then a neighbor brought a foam wedge over..( the kind you sit up in bed to read)Really worked well..the twin bed was low to floor..so I could get out , feet on floor, ect. Hubby slept on sofa..Really worked well for 2 weeks.... Bonnie

 

[xtremlee]

I didnt have a recliner and didnt want to buy one so I went and rented one.
Its not that bad for price and alot cheaper than buying one. Then when your ready to goto the bed call and tellem to come and get it. They will also deliver so you dont have to worry about getting it home.

 

[Bryan B]

I spent the first 5 weeks of recovery with my parents, so my Mom went out and bought a recliner. I spent my first 2 nights there and then slept in the bed. The reclinder was downstairs (which is the coldest part of the house), and the covers kept sliding off of me and I would wake up freezing. My Dad loves it though, so it was money well spent.

I did use it a lot after my walks to prop up my feet for awhile (like Bob & Bill mentioned).

 

[KathyH]

I was able to sleep in my bed, just use pillows to hold on to when lying on your side. The recliner was great for those day time rest periods. I had to have some one help me out of my recliner the first week. LOL, not a pretty site. Kathy H

 

[danielgilboa]

Hi Sree,

Welcome and good luck with your surgery.

I slept only in the bed right from the start. I had 3-4 pillows handy in the hospital and at home so I could support my head, shoulders, right side, left side... manouvering around during the night seemed to help me get some rest. So you will not necessarily need one for sleep.

You might want to try them out now, but spend the $ after you get back, if you realy need it.

 

[SV2004]

Hi All

Thanks a lot for your input. I am tending toward renting one as suggested by Xtremlee.

Regds
Sree