Sleep question post surgery......

[ruthienc1]

I'm trying to get things ready at home in advance of surgery and am wondering if anyone thinks getting a lift chair (one of those electric recliners) would be a helpful thing for recovery...and sleeping. I'm getting the idea from reading posts that you can't use your arms to push up and our recliner- which would otherwise wise be quite comfy- has a big lever which you have to pull hard to get upright. I won't always have someone at the ready to pull the lever! Any thoughts would be welcome. It looks like I'll be having a minimally AVR (if they can do it), in case that information would have any bearing on your advice.........Thanks!
Ruth

 

[Ross]

It would make it easier, but still, they are going to teach you how to get up without using your arms anyhow, so it's not really necessary.

 

[KathyM]

Hi Ruth,

I have been wondering the same thing. So I have been looking into getting a lift chair also. I live alone and know that I will not be able to pull that lever or push on it. So I have decided to get the chair and then I will put it in one of the bedrooms or something when I am done with it. To me getting some sleep is worth any price. Let me know what you decide.

xoxo
Just Kathy

 

[Ross]

It's a convenience, but not a must.

 

[Freddie]

I have 4 recliners, 2 in the couch and 2 in the love seat. I never used any of them, in fact it never crossed my mind. Although I didn't find this wonderful site until 3 months after surgery.

The hospital showed me how to get in and out of bed using hands and elbows. YES it was tough, but it was a means of getting that upper strength back. At home I slept flat in my bed - no I didn't think of using extra pillows, which may have helped - I know some people here did.
I just crossed my arms over my chest and rolled out of bed. Getting into bed using one hand is tricky, but it can be done. One arm crossed over the chest, arch your back and use the other arm/hand to lower yourself down.

But like Ross said, "It's a convenience, but not a must."

 

[Cooker]

I would suggest renting one if you can....I think you will most likely be pleasantly surprised at what you can do and the mobility that you will have.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I'm not sure how I manage a recliner without using your arms.

For my Bed, I tied a rope around the bottom the bed, stuck my feet under the rope, and did a sit-up.

For my Couch, I would put one foot under the coffee table for extra leverage to pull myself up.

During the first week or so, I had someone to help me get up.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[marie]

I had minimally invasive and slept in my bed the first night home (six days after surgery) I had a wedge pillow and a couple of other pillows and I gradually got rid of the extra pillows. Slept on wedge pillow for four weeks (approx) then went to two regular pillows and now at six weeks I sleep with only my one pillow. On the chair I have a lazy boy with the hand crank on the side. I was able to crank it but I always had help as my husband was with me at all times for about two weeks. I would have loved having the lift chair but was able to manage with a regular recliner.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Earline

 

[Jkm7]

I'm two days home from typical open the sternum, down the center opening and I have been reasonably comfortable in my bed with two king size pillows. I have supply of other pillows in varying sizes and the two nights I have been home I have not needed/wanted them.

My first OHS, I had more pain and still never used the recliner in our family room but slept in our bed. Franklin, it was before I had found VR.com and it never occured to me to use the recliner. This time it has occured but it holds no appeal for ME.....that certainly can be different for others.

 

[cp172]

I had minimal invasive surgery 4 weeks ago and found sleeping in my bed with pillows (using wedge) easier than handling the hospital bed. I had trouble getting the darn thing adjusted. Once they got the tubes out of me I was all over the place.

I have no trouble with chairs, beds, and sofas at home. Best of luck to you.

 

[Plumber1]

Hi there!

I asked my family physician to write me a prescription for the rental of a hospital bed -- which she gladly did. Insurance would actually pay for this including delivery, set-up and break down. I thought this was really smart of me but once I got home I didn't need it, so never implemented the order.

Mark

 

[Debbie]

sleep

sleep

Dear Ruth, I'm six weeks post-op today and still sleeping in my recliner. I have to sleep flat on my back or my chest will get sore. I've tryed sleeping in bed and it does'nt work for me because I keep waking up laying on my side, and when I lay on my side my chest gets sore. I just tryed 2 days ago sleeping in bed the whole night and that was a bad idea, I was so sore the whole next day! Everyone is different you might not have any problem with the bed. As for the handle, I needed some help with that the first 2 or 3 days but after that I was o.k. Good luck Debbie

 

[MikeHeim]

They do make recliners w/o the traditional handles. Mine has what amounts to a little switch on the side. Shop around as I think they are pretty common now.

 

[Philip B]

Fallen, and I can't get up

Fallen, and I can't get up

I always hate to see folks spend a bunch of money on items that they may not need for extended periods of time. Traversing the challenges associated with recovery is certainly different for all of us, but many of us seem to have done okay without buying or renting special furniture that would only have practical value for short term needs.

Hopefully, your sternum will heal within six to eight weeks and you'll be pretty normal again. You may find that after the first couple of weeks your sternum has healed enough to allow you to use your arms without putting much stress and strain on it when you get up out of a regular chair.

I'd recommend putting your money into something you want for the long term rather than getting something that has limited usefulness.

-Philip

 

[Glenda]

We already had recliners that you push down with your feet. There is a lever to put the leg rest up on the side and I didn't have any trouble with that. I also slept in my bed the first night home. I slept with a lot of pillows. The only way I could lay down was have my husband put about four pillows behind me and lower me down by taking out one at a time until I was flat. To get out of bed I rolled over to my side and slide my legs over the side and he helped me up. The hospital taught me how to do this before I came home after four days. I wouldn't spend that much money on something that you might just use a couple of times. You'll be surprised how strong your upper arms get.

 

[Jkm7]

Sounds similar to what they taught me both times at Mass General, Glenda.

When we got out of bed, they wanted us to roll onto our side, swing our legs over the side of the bed and use those strong thigh, leg muscles to raise us the rest of the way. I haven't been having any difficulty doing that.

For getting back in bed, they taught me to sit on the edge of the bed high up close to pillow. Swing first one leg and then the other onto the bed, lower myself down leaning only on an elbow if necessary but to not use hands at all.

Works okay for me.
I'm only nine days post op and was able to sleep flat with only my usual king pillow in bed last night. I know I will be going back and forth.....some nights usuing more pillows and some using fewer.

 

[TomD]

Lift Chair

Lift Chair

I inherited my Mothers lift chair after she passed and it had just been sitting in a spare bedroom. When I got out of the hospital I found it to be great chair to relax in when I was really tired. And I used it on occasion to sleep in when I just could not get comfortable in bed. I am now 22 days post surgery and still use it everyday. It's not so much to help you get in and out of a chair, that part gets easy reel quick. The nice thing is that you can easily adjust the chair to fit your current feeling and adjust your comfort. You can typically rent them from a mobility type store for a month.

 

[South Sound Sailor]

I'm 5 weeks post-surgery. I did spend some time in a lazy-boy style rocking chair but for the most part, I found getting in and out of ANY chair or bed without using my arms to be a challenge for the first couple of days post-surgery. Then I figured out, like probably everyone else here, how to roll out of bed and use my legs to get out of chairs (instead of pushing out with my arms).

My very humble 2 cents worth of advice: refrain from investing any money into furniture, save the $$$ and when you're fully recovered, use that same money to treat yourself to something really nice... I'm thinking an airline ticket and lodging at some place that's tropical with warm water and cold, salty margaritas!!!

SC

 

[CHDDoug]

I second that!!!

I second that!!!

I second Sailor's post (latter half of it). I also wouldn't invest the money in new furniture. I sat and slept in my recliner for the first week after I was home. I never had any problem getting out of the recliner or bed...just use your legs to stand you up and not your arms. They should show you how to do that in the hospital...they did for me. Getting in and out of bed is more of a pain for me...even at 4 weeks post op now. It's a little uncomfortable, but you just learn how to roll and use your elbow to get out. So, my humble opinion is to not invest in new furniture. As Sailor said...save the money and treat yourself to something after you recover! Money better spent...