Incentive spirometer?

Was anyone else sent home from the hospital with one of these things?  I'm supposed to breathe with it 10x per hour, trying to get into the habit of it, but it's tough.  I can't seem to get it up above the 2000 mark and just now I think I busted an air sac or something trying too hard.

Just wondering if anyone had to use one of these and if you ever were able to get it to the top of the meter?

 Yep, I had one of those. I hated using it but it needs to be done. 

Brought one home with me too, and NO I never got it to the top. I had anesthesia complications with my revision, I used one of that nasty machines for 2 weeks, and hated every puff/breath I had to do with it. I used it, and the in home nurse that came by made me show her my progress every couple of days.

It looks like it's something that measures your lung capacity or breathing.  Does it help to get the anesthesia out of your body?  What is it for?

It's supposed to help get your lungs back in shape post-op... I guess the theory is over time of using it, your capacity will improve.  I'm starting to think that my lungs just don't have the kind of capacity that this thing has at the highest setting.  The most I can do is 2500 and at that I feel like something is going to burst.  I'll have to ask the doc about it at my post-op on Tuesday.

I have one- i can't get to the top either.......

yep i had one and so did my brother for a completely different kind of surgery. just keep doing it and try to maintain in that marked level. don't think you can overdo it. the idea is to get you to breathe deeply and avoid pneumonia. so keep at it as it will help avoid problems. it will gradually improve. don't worry if you can;t hit the mark right now. the repetition and effort is what counts. Diane

I was given one before the surgery to remove my lapband in February, the nurse explained that each person lung capacity is different so I should establish a baseline and than keep trying to maintain AND improve on it after surgery. I am now getting ready for my sleeve at the end of June and have already started "practicing" again. It makes for a sadly fun night of watching TV as I challenge myself to "inhale" the commercials.

Had one...every day gets better. Keep on puffing it's good for your lungs.

Yep!  Keep using it!