LBL recovery... recliner alternative?

With all of the costs of this surgery especially having to buy the prescriptions without any insurance, I can't afford a recliner. I was thinking of using one of those back pillows with arms on my bed? anyone else go through this without a recliner? I can't afford to buy or rent one. 

I actually found I preferred my bed over my recliner. I didn't get that kind of pillow, and you might find that it gets in your way when you try to get out of bed. I just used 3 normal pillows behind my back and 2 under my knees. I could add or remove as needed to adjust my position.

Getting in and out of bed is tricky. You need to sit on the bed and then lean sideways while keeping your knees bent like you are still sitting in a chair. Once you get your side down on the bed you can bring your legs in, then turn onto your back and use your legs to help push you up towards the headboard while you use your arms to sit up.

To get out, reverse these steps. I would reach over my head and grab the headboard to help me turn onto my side, then bend my legs and let them hang out over the edge of the bed and use my arms to push me up while lowering my legs. Tricky, but once you get the hang of it, it's easy.

I bought a cheepo recliner and I am glad I had it but could have managed without it.  I also bought a bunch of wedge pillows but didnt really end up using them.  What I used mostly was the firm cheepo pillows I got from target.  I bought like 5 of them for $20.  I used them on the couch and on my bed.  Wedges ended up on the floor.

I didn't use a recliner either and haven't had any problems.  I had an LBL and BA on 9/14 and have just used a couple of wedge pillows I purchased on Amazon.  I'm sure a few regular pillows would work just as well.  Of course everyone recovers differently, but I haven't had any trouble getting in and out of bed.
Good luck!

I had a recliner but also spent a lot of time on the couch. Pillow behind my back and pillows under my knees. Worked well and I was able to get off the couch by myself after about a week  using more of my arms.

I gave my recliner away when I moved to my new city; 9 months later I needed it for my surgery.

Instead of buying a new recliner, I went to good will and they had a number to choose from. Because of my worry about bed bugs and such, I went to home depot and got an insecticide specifically made for furniture. After treating it with the bug spray (outside) I left it there for a day to air out, then brought it into the house, covered it with a cheap painters drop cloth and then some comfy bed linen.

All together, I spent about $30.

I was so glad to have that recliner the first 3 weeks or so; after that, I put it outside on my patio where it waits to be taken back to good will or discarded.

Just an alternative you might look into. Otherwise, how about borrowing one from a friend or family member??

I think borrowing one is a great idea. I had lift chair which was great but it was the most handy the first couple of days out handy out of surgery. My bed was way too high for me to get on even without surgery and my sofa was too soft at the time because I would sink when I sat it in it so getting up from that would have been too hard so the lift chair was perfect. Now if my bed were a normal height I would have been find with a bunch of firm pillows. I had a wedge but I never used it since my recliner worked well for me and by the time I got to bed I used pillows. The wedge would have worked perfect during the day for me because it was firm and you don't sink with that. The hardest part will be swinging your legs up to lie down and getting up. If it gets too difficult just have someone help you so you can hold on to them while you pull yourself up. Otherwise just have plenty of pillows and you'll be fine.

 I had a recliner and spent the first night home there but went to my bed after that. I slept better there. I used lots of pillows. I didn't have trouble getting in or out. The key is to roll. I used the recliner during the day but had to use a cane to push the foot rest in to get out. A recliner is not a must have but nice to have.My bed is very high and I have a stool I use to get in . It was easy getting out because of the height. I didn't need a toilet riser  but had one in case I did. I used the window sill and counter to help get up and down. You can find ways to make do with what you have and remember recovery does not take forever. By three weeks I was back to normal after my LBL.

There was a rental place here locally that rented lift chairs (recliners) for $250.00 for two weeks.  I instead opted to buy a nearly new one on craigslist for $250.00 which I fully intend to sell on craigslist afterwards to get my money back.  Mine was used a short time by the original owner (I have the manual and receipts) before that person went to a convalescent home permanently, and it is immaculately clean.  I love good deals, and so I jumped on this, thinking it's a win-win for me.  I may decide to keep it because we do have an elderly family member that visits often and the chair is very comfy.  It's a lazyboy that retails for $1400.00 minimum retail.