5 days out. How on earth do you cough or get in and out of bed

I'm 5 days post op and feel pretty good most of the time, but coughing (from allergies) and getting in and out of bed are not any fun.  Any advice?  Holding a pillow over my stomach while coughing doesn't do anything, I try to avoid it but every now and then it sneaks up on me.   Terrified to sneeze.

Fortunately I didn't need to cough post op, but as for the bed...I slept in the recliner for almost THREE weeks!  There was NO way I could get in and out of bed.  Every time I tried, I seriously regretted it.  Hang in there, every day gets better!

funny, i'm 11 days until surgery and wondering how i am going to be getting in and out of bed myself.  i sleep on the side next to the wall so have to climb in from the bottom which is 3 feet higher than myself because we have a huge bed.  i have to be an acrobat just to get in.  :)  i told my husband we were to bring the recliner in from our porch and set it up in the living room so i could actually get some sleep.  i was planning on holding the pillow over my stomach but now that you said it isn't helping i'll need to find a new plan!

Good Luck.  I would come up with a plan for sleeping because it doesn't sound like your bed is going to work.  We actually bought a recliner just for this but I couldn't sleep in it.  I am going to force myself to get used to it because the sensation and pain isn't worth it.  Other then that everything is fine and not pain now except for the bed and coughing issue.

All I can tell you is that it will get better.  I remember the getting in and out of bed dilemma, it was interesting.  I don't remember what technique I used.  I do remember rolling over in my sleep and YOWSER!  But it does pass, and rather quickly.  Good for you on taking this giant step to a healthy you.  Before you know it, you'll be sporting skinny jeans and and an ear to ear smile!
Blessings,
Marie

I'm just over two weeks out and it does get better. Working out before hand would have helped but that's the past...so just use your arms and legs to get in and out of bed and to get off the toilet.  

I slept sitting up for weeks. After about 10-12 days out, I started to sleep flat but always on my back. Early on if I was lying flat, I was freaked out at having to sit up. It took me until 3-4 weeks before I tried sleeping on my side. It felt like I was pulling muscles at first (and probably was) but I would lie on my side for 5-10 minutes until it hurt too much and went back to my back. Now 5 weeks out, it is all good.

I pulled myself off the Toliet with a countertop or wall. I was so happy when I stood up for the first time without the cpunter or wall that I told hubby!! He tried to be happy (what does he know?) and said that my muscles were healing!

I slept in the recliner for 2-3 weeks. I carried most of my weight in my upper torso/abdomen so I had way too much gravity pain. Getting out of bed was impossible and I'm also a side sleeper which was not possible.

I actually would old a pillow on top of my stomach and bend over if I needed to cough. Sneezing is the worse thing in the world.

Thanks all.  I don't sleep well in the recliner but I'm going to have to suck it up because that feeling and pain is horrible.  Other then that I'm doing fine.  Think I have either allergies or a cold.  Still trying to decide.   Found out I can actually cough standing up so to clear my throat and chest that's what I'm doing.

I worked out my whole life so legs and arm muscles are good.  I can get up without using my stomach.  The only problem is bed.