No recliner?

[Mrs.FullerRN 189]

In my preop class, we were told absolutely no recliner sitting as it puts you at risk for DVT's..however I see many people on here sleeping in the recliner. Yikes! Am I the only one who was told this?

[kiwi63 22]

I have artificial femoral arteries and can only sit in recliners because otherwise the 90 degree angle in an ordinary chair would cause clots. And sitting in any chair for too long could cause DVT's!!

[CharmingTortoise 83]

I think as long as you are getting up and walking several times a day I can't see the difference. My bed at the hospital was basically positioned just like my recliner at home is. Let me tell you getting out of a recliner is easier than trying to get out of those hospital beds with fresh abdominal incisions. For me, I had to get up and walk at least 4 times a day - even the day of my surgery. I also had two of the stomach Lovenox shots to help prevent clots. They also had those leg squeezy things on when I was in my bed for the first day. I think I was in good shape.

[Pinky Green 260]

I thought those leg massager things were the coolest things. Wish I had them at home just for how good they felt.

[nmck 68]

I loved the massging sleeves too! But I was never told anything bad about a recliner. I too slept in mine for the first few days. But I got up and walked around and showered daily, etc. so I am sure I wasn't at increased risk for clots b/c ofthe recliner. Maybe they're afraid you'll never get up in a comfy recliner?

[Miss Mac 6,261]

Of the eleven surgeries I have had, I was never instructed to not use a recliner, and that includes two knee replacements. With my most recent surgery (ACDF), I had four vertebrae in my neck replaced with cadaver bones and hardware, I was in a hard collar for six miserable weeks and was INSTRUCTED to use a lift recliner and sleep in it too, to reduce strain on my spinal cord. Several times I have been sent home with compression stockings, and every time I was instructed too "get up offa that thang" and move around every hour or so. You can get DVT just from a long plane flight. Our experiences with the sleeve are so individual. Follow your doctor's instruction. He/she has their reasons.