Question:
Do I need a special bed or chair

I will be having surgery in June 2001, I would like to know if I will need a special bed to recuperate in, I can rent an reclining chair or hospital bed with my health insurance if I have an prescription from my surgeon. I have an platform bed right now and don't want to waste money on replacing it. Do you think I should rent an bed or chair? Will this help me? thank you so much    — blank first name B. (posted on May 29, 2001)

May 29, 2001
For the first two weeks after I came home from the hospital I slept in my recliner because I could not get comfortable in my bed. Is there anyone you can borrow a recliner from for 2 or 3 weeks if you don't have one? Good luck to you on your surgery. I had mine October 12, 2000 and have lost 121 pounds. I feel better than I have in years!
   — Helen C.

May 29, 2001
I do not have a recliner. The first night home in bed was pretty difficult. I had a LAP rny with staples. I tried lots of pillows but was not comfortable. A relative suggested I take a sofa seat cushion and place it between mattress and box spring. It worked wonderfully. It was similar to the effect of the raised head of the hospital bed. It was just enough to elevate from lower back to head. After about a week, when the staples were removed I removed the sofa cushion and slept fine with just a few extra pillows. Hope this helps. Good luck.
   — rose N.

May 29, 2001
I rented a hospital bed due to the many steps I had to walk to get to my bed, and it was a lifesaver! It was soooo much more comfortable than having to lay flat in a regular bed. I would very much recommend it! Didn't have a special recliner, I sat on pillow on the couch and that helped with comfort and being able to get up and down.
   — Jeanne P.

May 31, 2001
If you have the money to rent one (don't know what it costs) I would HIGHLY recommend you get one! My Mom has one and for several days (I felt guilty) I used her bed while she slept in the rocking chair. I had a very tough time getting in and out of bed (I had the open rny) because of the abdomial muscle pain. I could put the bed (head) up so I could get out and go to the bathroom, then lower it some when I "tried" to sleep. It was about 10 days before I could really get a decent nights sleep. I CAN NOT SLEEP ON MY BACK.... that was the toughest part. I think this was some of the most difficult part of the surgery... that is trying to get a decent nights sleep. But it does get better. I expect you will feel like crap for about nine or ten days. Just remember, IT WILL get better. :) Good luck to you. And get the bed if you can! PS. I highly doubt you will be able to sleep "flat", at least if you have the open done.
   — Danmark

May 31, 2001
Hello and Congrats on your upcoming surgery! I read once somewhere on here that a lady used a bean bag to prop herself up in bed. Unfortunatly I read this after I had my surgery. That was too bad because I was so uncomfortable. I could not find a place that rents recliners who had one in stock and I didn't have enough money to rent a bed. So I had to use the back cushion of my couch. It wasn't to comfortable at all, but it was better then nothing! I was about an month out before I could sleep flat on the bed over on my side. That first night that I was finaly able to sleep on my side was so awesome! The best sleep I have ever had!
   — Katrina D.