How do you cough after surgery?

[losethemess 14]

Holly cow, it hurts so bad to cough. How do I cope? Any suggestions?

[pixistix 1]

I've heard it suggested to carry a small pillow and hug it against your stomach when you cough.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

[gigi0504 0]

Use a pillow to hug when you cough. Same thing they taught me when I had my c section. It helps ALOT.

[Murpel 0]

depending on which part of your stomach hurts... I used just my hand when it was only the port that hurt, but I used a stuffed animal to put pressure on my belly to roll over in bed and get out of my chair. (He was cuter than a pillow)

[SoccerMomma73 1,867]

Very freaking carefully! But keep doing it, helps clear out the crap and keep you from getting pneumonia. I did the teddybear trick and it helps, but still hurts like heck.

[Tally23 0]

Coughing, sneezing, rolling in bed, getting up and down in a chair, laughing- it all hurt VERY much. I pillow does help. I am 9 days out and things have calmed down but it still is tender to do anything I listed above.

Edited August 21, 2010 by Tally23

[jingleboob 5]

Hug a pillow when you cough, or with one hand when you get up or down into a chair. gives you a little support where it hurts.