I'm having my surgery in about two months. Which type of sitting cushion do you recommend? Closed "donut" shape, or open U-shape cushion?  Is it better to have one made out of thick foam material (like memory foam), or inflatable type of cushion?

Well here is an example:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,198768.msg1770767.html#msg1770767
(photo can be clicked on for a larger view)

It depends on:
-your weight
-do you want to deflate it for transport

Well a sturdy one with enough height should be of advantage...

you might additionally read here:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,190515.msg1697107.html#msg1697107


hugs

At the time of my surgery I was given an inflatable donut. The thing is you will sometime find sitting on the donut uncomfortable and do without it and other times you will feel better sitting on it. Because I returned to work 4 days after surgery I had no options other that sitting most of the day but if you are wise you will take a 6-8 week recovery period where you will be able to lay on a bed or couch to take the pressure off your bottom side.

Hello, I used a U shape cushion often with a twin/queen sized dense pillow.  Stay away from memory foam. The round doughnut proved worthless since it placed lots of pressure on the vaginal area.

Try keeping lower part of thighs elevated so SRS area can float free.  Creating a bridge over the area worked best for me.
Best position was slouched in a tall deep set sofa or flat on my back. Expect 4-6 weeks to sit properly on a soft pillow.
Adjustable chairs and car seats that can shift your weight back towards hips are your new best friends.
Thank you,
Anne

Quote from: OOAnne on November 20, 2015, 11:52:37 AM
The round doughnut proved worthless since it placed lots of pressure on the vaginal area.

That's exactly why I'm asking this question, as I can't imagine how would sitting on a donut actually remove pressure from the area. Logically U-shape makes much more sense, but yet, vast majority of cushions they make for after-birth recovery seems to be in round donut shape.

Thank you all for answers and opinions. It's very appreciated!   


(I will have half year recovery period...

You may want to just wait and see what they give you and/or what works best for you personally. I found the round ones were the most helpful... for about 2 weeks.   Then I was better off just not using anything. (I could sit comfortably on soft surfaces by then; sitting easily on a hard chair took until more like 3-4 weeks and even then it wasn't for too long.)

Quote from: Lagertha on November 20, 2015, 07:57:28 AM
I'm having my surgery in about two months. Which type of sitting cushion do you recommend? Closed "donut" shape, or open U-shape cushion?  Is it better to have one made out of thick foam material (like memory foam), or inflatable type of cushion?

My doughnut (round, foam, cheap, bought at local drug store) served me just fine, and I had to use it about twice as long as anyone else I know.

My surgeon included a neck pillow like the ones you'd take on a flight with the rest of the prep stuff for the surgery, those are U-shaped and work pretty well, I think it was filled with foam beads or whatever it is they stuff those with.

Hi Lagertha,

Tried them all. The jury came back with the U shaped one made from small polystyrene balls covered with non synthetic material, especially in hot weather. If all you can find is the synthetic fabric ones, put it in a pillow case. Good luck and have fun.

Speak to you as soon as I finish my bath.

Huggs
Catherine

I was given an inflatable at Brassards an only used it once, I found it uncomfortable. I had bought a cushion designed for neck support when flying, and used it on occasion after returning home, again I found it uncomfortable. I found just sitting a certain way with some padding worked best for me.

Thanks for all advices and suggestions! I'm already writing things down. I have inflatable U shape travel cushion for flights (which might be slightly too small for my behind), and I'm already looking for larger U shaped filled with beads or something. I suspect I will receive a round foam donut there (have to ask them), and I think I'll see then how it goes, and what works and what not.

I bought a foam one that is oval and shaped like an O. I was told to avoid the inflatable ones because they could lose air, the U shaped ones could spread when you sit on them but the oval shaped ones offer support, won't spread or lose air.

I found that if I removed the cloth cover, I had support but not directly on the surgical area which made all the difference.

It is about 18"x12" maybe by 2-3" thick. Worth every cent when I used it!

Love,
Clare

Yeah what really worked for me was more of a U shaped (pretty large) cotton-filled 'donut'. I think the one they gave me sucked lol. I forgot where I got the U-shaped one but I used it for months afterward.