Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Made My Own Pillow For After Surgery



Recommended Posts

During my pre-surgery class, one of the presenters stressed the importance of our breathing exercises, coughing up what is in our lungs, and how having a pillow to hold can assist. One of my friends had heart surgery last year and had a heart-shaped pillow for such things. I decided that I wanted a stomach-shaped pillow to have with me, so I made one. I am a bit offbeat and combined the stomach pillow idea with Frankenstein, as I lightheartedly joke about how my new stomach will be a "Frankenstomach."

Franken-Stomach-Pillow-Stein.jpg

The pillow as a little bit of a rush job because I ended up putting the project off until a couple of nights ago. I'm still debating whether or not to add a stitch line on its forehead. I did make it two-sided, though. As you can see, one side is smiling. The other side now has a frowny face with black eyes for when I'm not feeling that great. (I haven't taken a picture of the frowny side yet.)

Given the pillow's size, it's more of a pre-surgery look rather than a post-surgery look. This pillow is nice and big and firm.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I LOVE it!!!!! You did such a great job :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This is awesome!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My pillow would have looked like a monster as I can not sew or know how to use a sewing machine. I love your pillow and it is such a good idea. It gives you stomach some support as you cough. The reason they want you up and coughing is because if you lay around and do not take in deep breaths you can develop pneumonia and that is just one more problem that you do not need after your surgery. Again I love you pillow.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That is so adorable. Keep that sense of humor and positive thinking :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Love it! I think the stitch line or a band-aid on the forehead would be a nice touch to show it is a healing stomach.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

OMG that is awesome! Maybe you could get your nurses to sign it on the back, and you could go over it with embrodery thread...what a keepsake!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Cute! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks to all. :) If I'm too nervous to sleep tonight, I might get a stitch line on it. :) I enjoy doing little projects like this. Back for Christmas, I made a rag doll for one of my young nieces. I can be dangerous with craft materials.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You did an awesome job on the pillow. I love it! Hope your surgery went smoothly today!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Eve411

      April Surgery
      Am I the only struggling to get weight down. I started with weight of 297 and now im 280 but seem to not lose more weight. My nutrtionist told me not to worry about the pounds because I might still be losing inches. However, I do not really see much of a difference is this happen to any of you, if so any tips?
      Thanks
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Clueless_girl

      Well recovering from gallbladder removal was a lot like recovering from the modified duodenal switch surgery, twice in 4 months yay 🥳😭. I'm having to battle cravings for everything i shouldn't have, on top of trying to figure out what happens after i eat something. Sigh, let me fast forward a couple of months when everyday isn't a constant battle and i can function like a normal person again! 😞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×