{"id":933,"date":"2009-09-19T11:00:51","date_gmt":"2009-09-19T16:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/2009\/09\/19\/recliners-beds-after-heart-valve-surgery\/"},"modified":"2025-10-30T12:10:37","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T17:10:37","slug":"recliners-beds-after-heart-valve-surgery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/2009\/09\/19\/recliners-beds-after-heart-valve-surgery\/","title":{"rendered":"“Did You Use A Recliner After Heart Valve Surgery?” Asks Kevin"},"content":{"rendered":"

I just received an email from Kevin about the use of recliners after heart valve surgery.<\/p>\n

Kevin writes, “Hi Adam – At 58 years of age, it’s finally time to get the valve fixed. My aortic stenosis is now severe so I’m preparing for the surgery – both mentally and physically. One quick question for you… Does it make sense to use a recliner instead of regular bed during the early part of the recovery? I hear it can be pretty painful getting out of a regular bed. Thanks, Kevin”<\/p>\n

This is a fantastic question for patients and their caregivers to consider. Plus, I give Kevin a lot of credit for proactively thinking about what happens when patients return home from the hospital. By the way, to learn more about stenotic aortic valves, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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So you know, I did not use a recliner, or La-Z-Boy chair, after my heart valve replacement surgery<\/a>. However, if I ever needed another surgery, I might consider renting a recliner.<\/p>\n

“Why?” you might be wondering. <\/em><\/p>\n

Well, as Kevin alludes, getting in-and-out of a flat bed can be quite painful<\/em> and somewhat dislocating<\/em> immediately following open heart surgery. Remember… While you are in the hospital, your bed will be fully adjustable to accommodate every bend in your body. At home, no such luck.<\/p>\n

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That said, your broken sternum will feel new types of physical pressures as you enter and exit your bed. For me, I actually began to dread the process of getting-in and getting-out of bed because of the pain.<\/p>\n

However, as I have stressed repeatedly throughout my book and this blog, every patient recovery is unique. You may not experience the pain described above. Then again, you may.<\/p>\n

Related Links:<\/p>\n