Couch or bed those first post-op days?

While I have a pretty comfy couch, it takes a little adjusting to get plumped into the pillows just right, and then laying down on it requires rolling around. It seems my bed would be more comfortable for lying down, however I don't have a TV in my bedroom and I'm afraid of going stir-crazy.

We've discussed getting a TV for the bedroom, but I'm not real crazy about the idea (the bedroom is for sleeping). Not only is there the expense, but we'd also have to run cable into the room.

I'm having a TVH and am expecting to be in the hospital one day. Assuming all is "normal" (I know we all heal differently), will I be well enough to move around from bed to couch? (I don't have any stairs, and it's not far from one place to the other) If not, should I go for the TV, or will the couch work? I should mention if I stay on the couch my daughter may try to play remote commando so she can watch her cartoons/MTV shows (UGH!) So maybe there's something to be said for having the second TV...

How did you set up your recovery area, and where did you recover?

it took me a week to get home from the castle after my tvh. i had some complacations. wich doesnt normaly happen to everyone.... so dont worry about that. when i got home i stayed in the bed for about 2 days ( i got up and walked a bit) day 3 on i stayed on the couch till it was time to go to bed. then i went to my bed. I dont know but i have a hard time sleeping anywhere but in a bed lol...... now napping is diffrent..... lol The healing went pretty quick after i got home
make shure you take lil walks it helps pass the gas wich you realyyyyyyy need lol. Hope this helped you....

JessicaS

My wonderful DS and his girlfriend bought, and set up, a tv in my bedroom. I didn't use it. I found it more comfortable to lounge on the sofa, and I slept in my recliner for the first 2 weeks. Even though my bed is comfortable and has lots of pillows, it took a lot of movement and effort to get comfy (for me).

Morning Sisters

As for the couch vs bed, I did both, and I had a TAH. I managed fine, going from one to the other, and I was forever getting up to go to the bathroom anyway... it will just be slooooow going, you won't be winning any foot races any day soon! lol Maybe you could lie on the couch while awake, and go to your bed for some quiet nap time.... I'm sure you'll do fine.. just take it easy. Best wishes to you!

I highly recommend a recliner chair. You won't want to sit upright for weeks - it feels like you're folding yourself in half and squeezing the incision area. Make sure you have a table near you where you can keep everything you'll need - phone, reading materials, crafts, kleenex, remotes..... (napkins to tuck under your chin to catch sloppy eating while reclined - that was tough, lol )

If you have a child of cartoon-watching, remote-commanding age, you should have a second TV anyway, but whether to locate it in the bedroom is another question. I have a small TV & VCR set on a shelf in the kitchen which I use mainly for recording shows when 2 things are on at once.

If you can find a cartoon you both like, relax & enjoy some together time! You've got a good excuse! And bad TV is also easier to watch while you're doing a craft or reading the mail.

Hope this helps!
Merrie

well so far i've rested on the sofas downstairs and walked up stairs to bed for an extra quiet nap a couple of times today - i don't find sitting upright a problem, and the first time i stood in hospital i made sure i straightened out til upright - you really won't burst anything and once you've done it, it gets easier and easier...

good luck, and play it by ear - you may find that like me, all the little things you stressed about before hand, actually never turned out to be an issue

Take care

Chicky

I really enjoyed my bed.....I found laying on sofa next to impossible.....I did get a new recliner but I had to get DH or DD to help me recline it....you dont realize how much you use your tummy to recline.....and the first few days you don't feel like sitting or laying for a long period of time anyways

Hi Ary,
I opted for couch ... er ... bed ... er couch -- well, actually I have a futon in my living room so I opened it out, made it more comfortable with a foam pad and used that.

It is just as comfortable as my bed and within clicking distance of the TV, VCR, DVD and CD player.

It is within easy walking distance of the computer as well.

However, I would have been able to walk between couch and bedroom -- which are on the same level -- by the time I was released from hospital. It's just that getting up to do so wouldn't have been much fun for the first few days.

I also picked up a used recliner but haven't used it very much.

Have fun setting up your throne room. <grin>

Keep well,
IslandScribe

The bed, downstairs family room sofa, and the recliner in my bedroom were all comfortable places to be after my SAH/BSO with repairs. I had no problems with our 3 stairs to the upstairs and having more than one place to go during the day made it less boring.

Living in Arizona, I also went outside on the back patio every morning to have coffee and watch the beauty of my surroundings.

Moving around (I think) helped me heal!

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Katie

Thank you for the AWESOME replies! We're going to get a TV for our bedroom... DH informed me he has some other things he'd enjoy watching with me in the bedroom (not suitable for family watching, if you get my drift )

He also pointed out that I could watch my beloved "Sex in the City" in peace too. I never felt comfortable watching it in the company of my 17 yr old daughter and seemed to only watch when she wasn't around.

As for the couch vs bed debate, I think I'm going to play it by ear. A recliner sounds like a WONDERFUL idea, but we just don't have the space for one. I did get a "chair pillow" and can get nice and comfy with it. As Bikery says, this is just something to stress me out during the wait.

Thanks for the responses all!