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Will laying down be OK vs sitting in a chair

Posted , 10 users are following.

Annette1234
Annette1234

Will be going in for LTHR Aug 9th, i am a layer, I lay on the sofa to read, watch TV, not much of a sitting in chairs during down time, will that be OK after surgery? I know I will need to get up and walk around but will laying be OK vs sitting up in a chair?? Curios... thanks!

1 like, 22 replies

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  • michelb
    michelb Annette1234

    Posted

    For both my operations (one posterior, one lateral approach), lying down and getting back up was probably the most painful thing I did.  I spent a lot of time sleeping in my reclining high back chair with armrests because it was the most comfortable and easiest thing to get in and out of.  Particularly with the posterior approach getting in a bed was very painful.

    Good luck,

    Mike

    • noplaybarbie
      noplaybarbie michelb

      Posted

      You are right Mike, and how could I forget this part so quickly! I just advised Annette that laying down would be ok, but in my haste I wasn't thinking about getting into or out of that position.....It was very painful, and I had to have help getting up and down...I also had the posterior approach. Once I was laying down I seemed to be ok, it was just getting that way that hurt....Barb

    • michelb
      michelb noplaybarbie

      Posted

      You bring up a very good point; if you have someone to lift your leg onto the bed/couch, it's not nearly as bad.  Getting off isn't as bad once you figure out a technique that works for you (and as long as you follow it!)

      Once you're in the lying position, it's not bad but getting to it is the problem!

    • Annette1234
      Annette1234 michelb

      Posted

      I am hoping the Dr thinks that lift chair will be a good thing, it can practically stand you upright.... but as I said I am a layer LOL
    • noplaybarbie
      noplaybarbie michelb

      Posted

      oh boy, so true! The most difficult task for me to be able to do was getting into and out of bed. I managed to be able to get out of bed about a week before I was able to get into it on my own. Exactly about lifting the legs....my husband had to lift them for me. I don't know if it is the same with all having hip surgery, and my physical therapist thought that part of my problem was because I also had a fracture in the pelvic bone. If my husband let one foot go lower than the other I would yell out in pain. She said that isn't from the hip but more than likely the pelvic bone, but dang it was rough....

  • noplaybarbie
    noplaybarbie Annette1234

    Posted

    Hi Annette:

    I spent time laying on my couch during the first part of my recovery. At times it was the most comfortable spot I could find. Sitting up for me was hard to do, and seemed to bring on the discomfort. No one told me that I couldn't lay down. You may want to ask your doctor just to be safe, but I am sure it is fine...Good luck on your upcoming surgery. I will be rooting for you to have much success and a quick recovery....Hugs...Barb

  • kersty35579
    kersty35579 Annette1234

    Posted

    I too am a layer. I'm guessing, like me, you don't just lay flat on your back, but on your side?

    I had LTHR at the beginning of March. I started my laying again about a month ago. It was too uncomfortable for me before that, if try (from habit) and it would hurt.

  • maggie93798
    maggie93798 Annette1234

    Posted

    One thing to do will be to check the height of the sofa you lie on. Given that any chair or bed needs to be a certain height, I would imagine that a sofa may needs to be raised on blocks to comply. 90 degree rule
    • Annette1234
      Annette1234 maggie93798

      Posted

      knees always lower than hips right? it's a new sofa does that mean I cn't put my feet on a stool??

    • maggie93798
      maggie93798 Annette1234

      Posted

      As long as knees are lower than hips I would have thought that you could. I was really thinking of the getting onto and off the sofa, and applying the same rules as getting in and out of bed. In the very early days manoevering into anywhere is laborious and not only does the correct height ensure the 90 degree rule is correct but it does also help the process
    • Annette1234
      Annette1234 maggie93798

      Posted

      I think the first couple weeks will be the lift chair and recliner to be safe....thank you Maggie <3 

  • hope4cure
    hope4cure Annette1234

    Posted

    Hey whatever is comfortable. I'm with you. I like to rest stretched out as sitting is uncomfortable especially for long periods while heeling.  

    Recliner chairs are my fav.  Its easy up and down let the chair do most of the work till muscles get stronger. confused

     

  • renee01952
    renee01952 Annette1234

    Posted

    Hi Annette, 

    I am not a chair sitter either and there was no place for a recliner - so it was the couch I used -

    It is very important what Maggie said, okay - The height is crucial - My couch was put on wooden blocks , edge hit back of my knees so I could sit, lift both legs and pivot - same way I get in to bed - same getting off couch - 

    I was not told that i was not allowed to lie down either ----

    big warm hug

    renee

  • belleAUSSydney
    belleAUSSydney Annette1234

    Posted

    Laying down is fine as long as you have something firm to grasp, put your hand on, or whatever when getting up. I found it a good idea to lay on the sofa so that the back of the sofa was on my op side. I lined it with cushions and often kept that knee raised and pressed slightly against a cushion. 

    Make sure you spent at least some of your time with your lower legs raised to help prevent foot and ankle swelling.

    Keep everything you need often within reach on your coffee table. For example, pain meds, fresh water, analgesic gel, mobile phone (very important; and keep it on your person while moving around just in case you need to call someone for assistance), reading glasses, remote controls, snack stuff, and whatever else might float your boat when you are in need of personal comfort.

    Keep your crutches within reach and wear your TEDs.

    If you're anything like me, you will do a combination of sitting, walking and laying down in the early weeks as there is really no such thing as comfortable. It's more a matter of making yourself less uncomfortable at any given moment...

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