Bolster Pillows

[RAS53]

I am due to have an aortic valve and aortic root replacement shortly and I am thinking about my post operative recovery. I normally sleep on my side but I have been advised that I will not be able to for up to 6 weeks to allow for the sternum to heal -is it worth purchasing a bolster pillow to prevent me sleeping in my default sleeping position and if so can you recommend a particular type and where I can purchase one from-I live in N W London.

Many thanks.

Robert.

[Fredders]

Have a look on Amazon, got quite a few on there. I’ve got the double one, but I have a small double bed which I only have to share with the cats. I probably would have been okay with the single bolster as I tended to only sleep on one side. You can also get the smaller v shaped ones and I know others on here have used them and found them comfy. Some department stores sell them too. Don’t forget to buy a couple of covers too.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Fredders]

I tend to sleep on my back anyway because of back and leg issues. My only slight concern is that the younger cat sometimes sleeps on my chest but she is quite light. Usually I am up before 7:00 but if not she taps my face gently! I am sure she can tell the time from the alarm clock!

[Fredders in reply to MichaelJH]

I have six cats, thankfully only two of them sleep on the bed but unfortunately the heaviest one is the one that likes to lie on my chest! Leo seemed to realise I was fragile because until I recovered enough he was my little nanny cat and slept down the side of me. They are also all clock watchers, lie-ins not allowed! 😺

Wendy

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

When my right ribs were broken/cracked in an accident I just put a pillow on my RHS to stop me rolling that way otherwise I woke in agony!

[KazSumm]

Hi Robert

I had AVR 7 months ago.

My two best friends were

Bobby 1 & 2 my body pillows

Vera my V pillow. My husband got me 2 body pillow which were a weekly special from Lidl

I used them 24/7 they helped me sleep in a sitting position and stoped me from rolling on my side, during the day I used them in my reclining chair .

I was given a posthorax vest which I wore for 6wks 24/7 uncomfortable at first but my sternum healed beautifully with no complications , not all hospital use them.so definitely get body pillow and Vpillow , can I also suggest putting an rolled up duvet or blanket under your mattress at the bottom of your bed this will help with water retention in your ankles.

I found the first couple of weeks home hard to sleep due to hospital routine of being woken up every few hours during the night, it made me irritable and you need good quality sleep to heal. I my GP gave me sleeping tablets which I would of never normally of taken, but I was so tired I would of taken anything, I had the best sleep ever and after a couple of days felt so much better, I took 2 tablets for the 1st week and 1 for the 2nd then I stoped and I’ve not had a problem since. Also start doing exercises to strengthen your core and thighs because you can’t use your arms to get up, I

Practice getting out of the chair with my arms folded over my Chest, great help for the coming weeks. Also if you moisturiser your sternum now and massage the skin it will help with the scar and after the surgery mine was about 2weeks I used bio oil and still do, my scar is hardly visible. Sorry for the long reply but these small things can make a huge difference. If you ever want any more info just ask. Take care let us know how you are getting on. Kaz❤️💕💖

[RAS53 in reply to KazSumm]

Thank you Kaz your experience is really helpful.

Best wishes,

Robert.

[dubsta in reply to KazSumm]

Oh i found this really useful. I got home yesterday after OHS and my back is aching so much, though I would have slept so good last night but i didnt! Will look at the body pillows you suggest, thank you.

[gal4God]

I had a Artery and valve replacement surgery in August and carried on sleeping on my side. My mum in law is a cardiologist and she said that the only thing that will change is my routine cos of unusual tiredness. She trained in Germany so the Germans must do things differently. I’ve always had German doctors.

[Phil-52]

Hi Robert,

After my Bypass I bought a couple of "L" shape pillows. Must be the best purchase I made for my post op recovery. I never previously slept on my back but these really worked for me.

Good luck

Phil

[RAS53 in reply to Phil-52]

Thanks Phil for your advice

[Zimmies]

Hi after my by-pass op I bought a V (delta) pillow from Dunelm and it was perfect!

[RAS53 in reply to Zimmies]

Thanks Zimmies for your advice.