Question:
why do so many people talk about sleeping in a recliner after surgery?
Does laying down make you feel moer sick or is it because of your incision? Just curious.... 33 days til surgery! Tracey — Tracey L. (posted on March 26, 2002)
March 26, 2002
Hi Tracey, For most people, it is diificult to lay flat or get up from a
prone position right after surgery. Your insides and incision are tender
and tend to pull when moving. That's why you are told to use a pillow
against your incision when getting up, sneezing, coughing etc. A recliner
is comfortable because the back and head are raised. Some people just pile
up pillows on the sofa or bed if they don't have a recliner available.
Good luck with your surgery!
— grammie5
March 26, 2002
I had open RNY surgery 6 weeks ago and spent a good week and half in the
recliner, then more time on the couch propped with a lot of pillows. The
recliner was much easier to get up from, and I felt 'supported'. I was very
sore after surgery, and it was very uncomfortable to lay flat. But we all
are different, you may find something else that suits your needs. Good
luck!
— Jennifer G.
March 26, 2002
I slept in a recliner or propped up on the couch the first two weeks
because I couldn't pull myself up from a flat position. When they cut me
open, they cut some ab muscles too, and they took some time to heal. Good
Luck to you!
— Angela B.
March 26, 2002
I tried it all and found it difficult to actually fall asleep in the
recliner. However, it was less fun to sleep in - and have to pull myself
out of - my bed. The sofa was the easiest for me...I practically lived on
it for the first week. On the sofa, I was able to grab on to the top of
the back of it and pull myself up, which I personally found less painful
than pushing myself up from the bed or recliner. Also, with all the
pillows behind me, I was just "tall" enough, that once settled on
it, I never slid down like I did in my bed. Anyaway, by 3.5 weeks post open
RNY was sleeping comfy in bed...even on my (still draining) tummy! Good
luck to you!
— PaulaM
March 26, 2002
I used a beanbag chair behind me in my bed for the first week... helped me
a great deal. It's the laying flat and trying to get up that is painful for
the first week home.
— kristinevok
March 26, 2002
I guess I was one of the lucky ones and was able to sleep in my bed since
the day I came home from the hospital...just used one extra pillow for the
first few nights. It was hard getting up and out (poor tummy muscles), but
slept so much better than I did in the hospital. Best of luck!
— missesrita
March 26, 2002
I've been sleeping with a "bed wedge" for the past 5 years due to
acid reflux (even though I also take medication and even that doesn't help
anymore). Your local pharmacy/medical supply store should sell bed wedges.
I recommend them anyway for obese people as it helps not only with the acid
reflux but aids in keeping the airway open a bit more (snoring, sleep
apnea). The bed wedge is much more comfy than extra pillows since it
slopes. I use one flatter pillow with it. Just another suggestion :)
— Anna L.
March 26, 2002
I was told by my btc that we could absolutely not sleep or even sit in
recliners early post op that they connect them with people getting blood
clots. I don't know if it is because people get too comfortable sitting in
them and don't do their walking or the position you are sitting in.
— Jennifer G.
March 27, 2002
I slept in a recliner for about 2 or 3 wks after surgery because it was
more comfortable for me than laying in a flat bed. It was also easier to
get up from. After that I was sleeping in my bed more comfy but you have
to get in a comfy position. GOOD LUCK
— Bethany F.
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