Question:
I do not have a recliner. What else can I use immediately post-op?

I have a waterbed which I know I won't be able to use immediately. But I also don't have a recliner to use. Can one rent hospital type beds that allow you to sit up partially? Are they expensive to rent? Any suggestions would be much appreciated.    — Paula G. (posted on March 19, 2000)

March 19, 2000
I did not have a recliner either ... I used the couch, with my feet up on the couch, sometimes over on the coffee table .. lots & lots of pillows from proping myself up, supporting parts of me that hurt. Just have lots of soft cozy stuff around. You will be fine. Good Luck! M
   — Mary Anne M.

March 19, 2000
I really wish I had rented a hospital bed after my open RNY. It was really hard getting in and out of bed the first week.
   — Margaret H.

March 19, 2000
Boy, this is a good thing to think about , I slept in my recliner for a good three weeks. After the second and third week the pain wasn't so great,I just didn't want to risk a hernia. The Doc told me no twisting or turning or lifting over 5lbs. after the two week checkup that went to ten lbs. that is not much. And if you think about the pulling you have to do to get into bed, that is more than ten lbs. Like Ava said you can rent a bed from a hospital supply. Or you could even rent a recliner from a rent to own place, for a month or to quite cheaply. I was very comfortable in my recliner. And since my home is small didn't have to rearange the whole house...hope this helps Carin
   — C S.

March 20, 2000
I bought a foam wedge from a home-medical supply store that helped me a lot the first few days at home. I also found that with my binder on, I could sleep on my side some of the time. I thought about renting a recliner, but there is no room in my house for one, so I just made do with my wedge and lots of pillows, and I did fine.
   — Lynn K.

March 20, 2000
I didn't have my own bed or recliner after surgery. I went to my folks home and used lots of pillows (8+) for support in bed. I could not lay flat on my back or side for several more days because my 12 inch, high abdominal incision made it difficult to breathe. I would suggest having at least a wedge (used for GERD) and having a lot of pillows. It feels good to be home and have my recliner and bed, but I still need lots of pillows 2 weeks post op.
   — Anne L.

March 20, 2000
I did not use a recliner after the surgery, I just used my couch. I also slept in my waterbed, which was very comfortable at that time. Just use pillows to prop you if it helps you to breath better and/or more comfortable.
   — chris M.