How useful is a recliner after surgery? Any recommendations?

Didn't have one or need one, and I have had a lot of surgery - just used a lot of pillows. Some use a wedge pillow such as this one linked, but I just piled up pillows behind me and used them under my arms - like a throne.  I have a high four-poster bed that has a matching step, so I used that and then I positioned myself and sat back.  Some think that satin pajamas help with sliding in and out of bed also.

http://www.overstock.com/Bedding-Bath/Memory-Foam-Pillows/4546/cat.html?gclid=CPWow8foy8UCFcmPHwodCTIAAw&featuredproduct=4320013&featuredoption=5862741&cid=202290&kid=9553000357392&track=pspla&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=12296423-000-000&utm_source=google&utm_medium=pla&utm_campaign=Bedding+%26+Bath&utm_content=Memory+Foam&ef_id=UeQBGAAAATPWpluU:20150518172923:s

I you decide you need a recliner I know you can rent them from medical supply companies and your insurance may cover it if your surgeon writes a prescription for it.

I haven't needed it to sleep at night. Had BMX, but not TE. At night I have slept very well on my back with little pillows, which is suprising since I am a side and tummy sleeper. Do have reclining. couches, which has been nice during the day. I have been very surprised by how much mobility I have. I haven't had any trouble getting in and out of bed or into my husband's big truck.

I used a recliner. I could not sleep flat of my back and was not allowed to sleep on my mastectomy side and if I tired to lay on the other side, I still hurt because the expander hurt right in the middle. I had knee replacement a few years ago and I knew from that surgery, I could not sleep flat of my back. I probably slept in my recliner for a good two months. I would go try the bed and make it part of a night but just could not lay flat of my back.

MaryAgatha - I am on my second BC diagnosis and post surgery. I don't know what I would have done without my recliner. I have used it for months. We also went out and bought one that stands up (a lift one), used of course, off craigslist. The recliner and my Kindle were my two best friends during chemo, after surgery and now my second surgery and will have chemo again! Boy, I feel like I'm going in circles!

It is really worth looking into. You can try a lift one out at a Laz-y-Boy store to see if a lift one is what you prefer. I can't imagine trying to sit up right after your surgery, using your core muscles hurts. I already had a Laz-y-Boy and I love the brand, lifetime warranty on the mech., so I would always start there.

Good luck!

Recliners are great for recovery from any kind of surgery; once you are in, you stay there & don't accidently roll over on the sore part (which helps you mentally relax too which leads to better sleep). They are also good to sleep in when you have a cold & can't breathe. Good for your DH! You will like having one.

ucfmom, for years, every time my husband left, I sat in his recliner. Finally, when he got a new one, I took his old one so we both had one. Before my surgery, we went and got me a new one. I've slept many nights in it. Had many nights I had pain in my hip and could never get comfortable in the bed but would get in the recliner and sleep perfectly fine. LOVE my recliner.

I have a reclining couch, so I had plenty of room for pillows and blankets.  My husband would put pillows all around me at night, so I wouldn't move and then lay me as "flat" as the recliner would go.  I was like laying in an inclining bed.  I had a TV tray table next to me with the remote, drinks, meds, phone and a bell.  Some nights, my husband would sleep next to me, just because. 

I apologize for bump an old topic from the dead, just have a few interesting observations from personal experience, maybe someone will need this information in the future.

I used a recliner from the beginning as well. Actually, you use your leg muscles to get out of it more than your abs. And you can use your arms to push yourself up.

You might be surprised that the couch will not be the most comfortable place. My least comfortable position for the first 2 weeks was lying down. I was actually much more comfy sitting, but not sitting straight up, leaning back a little.

I suggest sitting in your recliner now and seeing which muscles you can train to use to get up and down. Mine reclines only & does not swivel nor rock (or anything else for that matter). I would never use those options even if I had them. But it does almost go completely horizontal when fully reclined (with multiple reclining positions in between) I start off sleeping in it with it being just barely reclined. I do recline it more as the night time passes, but very seldom end up with it fully reclined. The seat also slides forward when reclining, so the arm rests are always in the right position for my arms. My next recliner will be a hospital type like a Lazy Boy adjustable bed where you can raise or lower the head and raise or lower the feet separately. Being able to have an adjustment (upside down U under the knees) is also a requirement. This takes a lot of pressure off of your back. I now accomplish this in my recliner with a very dense foam leg wedge that I place on the extended leg support of the recliner. When I am fully reclined, my raised knees are almost at a 90 degree angle from my body and are at a 90 degree angle from the bottom half of my legs & feet.I like to watch YouTube videos of a similar theme when I'm looking for information about the right product. I hope this helps someone in the future. Good luck!