Opinion On Best Type Of Mattress for Support - Lumbar Spinal Fusion

[Jan P]

I am now 2 days shy of 6 weeks post surgery and finding that my Therapedic - Knock off of the Temper Pedic mattress is making me feel that I am in a whole. This mattress is about 5 years old. I know I am spending more time in bed - for rest periods, etc over the last 6 weeks, but thinking of purchasing something else that will give better support. I do find the most benign position so that my legs do not hurt, is on my back with pillows under my knees.

I am want to make certain that I am getting the best support to ensure a good fusion.

Interested in knowing what type of mattress others are using?

Thank you

Jan P

[ajj1001]

I have a reflex foam mattress on an electric adjustable base. i got it before my first fusion and I spend approx 15 hours in it every day(sat up daytimes or reclining to "rest"). been very happy with my choice, I did'nt like the sinky feeling of the memory foam ones but I do have a memory foam pillow.

[Jan P]

ajj1001 - Thank you for your reply.

I will check that reflex foam mattress out. I also do not like that sink into feeling of the memory foam.

Thanks Jan

[ajj1001]

the other option I looked at was a foam overlay (whichever type) on a sprung base or a mixed foam and sprung mattress. the electric base meant all foam was best for me as it flexes most. having a good bed has been a real lifesaver.

[Justin]

I love my Tempur-Pedic. We've had it since 2003 and we have had no issues with change in shape. When I'm out of town, I dearly miss the Tempur-Pedic. A lot of people like the Sleep Number beds...might be something worth checking out.

Good luck finding a new bed.

[Jan P]

Thanks Justin for your input. I think the Thera Pedic being the cheaper version is certainly inferior and we have already had the orginal one replaced under warranty. We do love the feel of the foam and therefore will check out the Temper Pedic and perhaps have to bite the bullet and get one.

Jan

[Cindylou]

We have a Chattham and Wells Mattress that we absolutely love. It is a high-end mattress, but we went for it given our middle-age and my bad back, about 6-7 years ago, and have not been sorry. My husband travels for business 85-90%, and truly misses his mattress, even though he is staying at nice hotels in Boston, New York, Philly, and New Jersey. When it comes time for a replacement, we will definitely get another one. Cindylou

[KBear]

We tried the sleep number, but returned it as to me it felt like I was sleeping on an air mattress. We bought a Simmons Beauty Rest Black, was top of the line for that line (2 years ago), but now they have a model that is supposed to be even better. I love it. My husband who threw a fit that I spent that much money on a mattress and said it wouldn't make a difference, now he admits he sleeps so much better and is glad we bought it. I have also heard great things about the Tempurpedic (did a lot of research before buying), though it seems people either love them or hate them (same with the sleep number). Good luck finding a good one

[Scott]

Hey KBear, our mattress stories were very similar. I was sleeping on a 10 year old generic mattress when my back pain started to get bad. I listened to all of the people rave about the Sleep Number bed and convinced myself that we should get one. New bed, mattress pad, sheets set us back $3k, but it will be worth it for good sleep.

I tried to convince myself that the mattress was good since I spent so much money on it. Then I noticed that when I was travelling for work and sleeping in hotel rooms, my sleep was better and my pain was less! The sleep number bed was not for me.

So last Sunday I woke up in HORRIBLE pain (had to stop my NSAIDs for surgery) and I finally had enough of my Sleep Number bed. I told my wife that I could not recover from my surgery on this bed and needed a better mattress ASAP. We went shopping that day and settled in on a Simmons Beauty Rest Black Firm with Pillow Top mattress. It was nice and firm for me and the pillow top gave my wife just enough softness for her. I have my surgery on Friday and the new matterss will be delivered on Friday and my father in law will oversee it being set up so it is ready for me when I return.

I think that I got it right this time. We'll see.

Scott

[KBear]

Hey KBear, our mattress stories were very similar. I was sleeping on a 10 year old generic mattress when my back pain started to get bad. I listened to all of the people rave about the Sleep Number bed and convinced myself that we should get one. New bed, mattress pad, sheets set us back $3k, but it will be worth it for good sleep.

I tried to convince myself that the mattress was good since I spent so much money on it. Then I noticed that when I was travelling for work and sleeping in hotel rooms, my sleep was better and my pain was less! The sleep number bed was not for me.

So last Sunday I woke up in HORRIBLE pain (had to stop my NSAIDs for surgery) and I finally had enough of my Sleep Number bed. I told my wife that I could not recover from my surgery on this bed and needed a better mattress ASAP. We went shopping that day and settled in on a Simmons Beauty Rest Black Firm with Pillow Top mattress. It was nice and firm for me and the pillow top gave my wife just enough softness for her. I have my surgery on Friday and the new matterss will be delivered on Friday and my father in law will oversee it being set up so it is ready for me when I return.

I think that I got it right this time. We'll see.

Scott

Hope you love the new one, I know we love ours. Only thing I don't like about it is it is crazy friggin heavy. I bought a new bed set and there is no way I could move the mattress to put the skirt on, my husband can barely get it off by himself. We have an upstairs bedroom too, it was quite a sight watching hubby and 2 other big guys lugging that thing upstairs.