Best chair type for recovery

[Bluey73]

Hi, my boyfriend having a heart bypass in July. I wondered if anyone has any tips or suggestions on the most comfortable type of chair to use at home during his recovery (we moved house this week & thought I would get him a comfortable chair if people have any ideas of what type would be most comfortable)

[oldpalfoz01]

I had a electric reclining chair, I found it was a nuisance and just used the sofa with some pillows, that was comfortable, when I needed a kip I was sorted which was often ,bearing in mind I had a quadruple heart bypass so I was very tired and needed to be comfortable

[Snowflake01 in reply to oldpalfoz01]

Sofa here too, with plenty of cushions to support - also helps keep legs elevated if wanted

[Bluey73 in reply to Snowflake01]

Thanks - sofa it is with plenty of cushions

[Bluey73 in reply to oldpalfoz01]

Thankyou _ sounds like he will be fine with the sofa - he's also having a quadruple bypass

[CyclingTime]

Just a single armchair is fine nothing special. First couple of weeks you do sit a lot so get a special cushion you sit on that stops you getting sore otherwise he will end up with a sore bum

[Montplier]

When I had my surgery last year I found it easier to get out of a straight winged back chair, sofas and soft cosy chairs were hard to stand up from owing to the fact at first you can't use your arms to help you Stand

[Traveldreams]

I put both bottom cushions on my sofa together so that I had less distance to stand. Also purchased one of the fairly cheap back recliners for my bed. Best £30 or so I spent from Amazon. 19 weeks post surgery and still use it for reading in bed even though i don’t need anything to sit or sleep anymore.

[Thanksnhs]

I just sat on the couch it was absolutely fine, my divan bed was also ok, before I got out of hospital the physio showed me the easiest ways to get up and down the stairs (I lived alone) and out of bed, I got a seat for the shower that was supplied by the council. I never had to buy anything special. wishing your boyfriend a speedy recovery, char

[Bluey73 in reply to Thanksnhs]

Thankyou - good to know, I wondered if there may an option to borrow a bath chair from somewhere if needed

[Thanksnhs in reply to Bluey73]

I would speak to the physio in the hospital it was them that arranged mine. I am in Scotland so I'm not sure if that's the same for the rest of the UK but they should be able to point you in the right direction, for me it was definitely the one thing that I did need, they didn't want it back I still have it in my loft. Char

[Jedi14]

Initially it would be straight into the main bedroom, maybe for a few days! Then as he recovers and is able to move about, into the living room.

I already had a recliner before my stents! This works for both sitting (reading, telly) and as a bed in case I fell asleep, as you will do.

[Dollcollector]

Reclining chairs are good for anyone as you can put them in the exact position you want. You need a double motor though so that the back and leg rest can be moved independently. Failing that l would get a wing backed chair and a footstool. The trouble with a sofa is that if he is feeling a bit poorly, he might have difficulty getting up off a sofa.

[devonian186]

I found that chairs varied in comfort during the day. What I was happy in first thing became uncomfortable later, or it may be that you just want to get different views.

By far the best chair I had was in my car. Depending on where it is parked you may get a nice view, its familiar and therefore comforting , it reclines and moves to any configuration, you can have as much or as little fresh air as you want by opening doors or windows, and you will likely have radio, cd and perhaps can stream things.

[Snowflake01 in reply to devonian186]

Yes, it's a bit like being a cat, sauntering around to find somewhere to relax for a while and then move on as you feel

[TrevT]

My vote would be for a recliner as that is what i felt most comfortable in after 2 x CABG. Our sofa is low and soft which makes it very difficult to get up from. That is probably the key point - can you get out of the chair or sofa without having to push yourself up?

I couldn't so bought a recliner.

The other thing i would recommend in a pouffe or bean bag for you feet if you're sitting up. Personally i fidget and changed position having different "ways" to sit helped.

It also helps if you are up moving about. They'll encourage that in hospital and you need to keep it up at home (even if it's just a few steps around the house, garden or whatever)

[BAGS17]

Bluey. Speaking as someone who recovered extremely well from from a Quadruple CABG op and played competitive golf 11 weeks after my op, comfortable seating is a minor part of recovery. The biggest issue is learning to stand from a seated position without using one’s arms. This avoids putting stress on the sternum recovery and pays massive dividends. My cardiac physio team couldn’t stress this more and I’m grateful everyday for that advice. Good luck to you both.

[Blackknight57]

normal chair and a leg rest (poof). He shouldn’t be just sitting around either. Gentle exersize.

Sitting around doesn’t do anyone good.