Recovery After Surgery: Real Customer Stories

Real Customers · Real Recoveries

Recovery after surgery, in their own words

These are unedited stories from verified Irene House owners who used a power lift recliner while recovering from knee, hip, back, or shoulder surgery — or after a stroke. The chairs they chose, and what they would tell you.

Every chair carries a promise.

Why families choose a lift chair for recovery

Across 109 recovery-related reviews, owners keep describing the same three things: standing up again without straining what just healed, sleeping upright or fully flat when a bed doesn't work yet, and keeping legs raised comfortably for long stretches. Nobody here was told what to write — these are simply the words families used.

Which chairs do recovering customers choose most?

Counted from every recovery-related review on record — not a marketing pick.

  • 9188 — mentioned in 31 recovery reviews
  • 9188ET — mentioned in 18 recovery reviews
  • 9188T — mentioned in 15 recovery reviews
  • 9196 — mentioned in 9 recovery reviews

After Knee Replacement

Customer photo of an Irene House Other lift recliner at home
★★★★★
Second knee replacementOther✓ Verified owner
It is what I need for my second knee replacement. With my first, I struggled getting out of the recliner and it was awkward using pillows to elevate my leg, trip hazard. I wish it also had manual controls and the heater was more pronounced. Hardly generates heat. I also wish all these options were available for taller people. I spent a lot of time searching for the recliner that had all the options I wanted. Others did not come close and cost far more dollars.
Customer photo of an Irene House 9205L lift recliner at home
★★★★★
Knee replacement recovery9205L✓ Verified owner
I recently had knee replacement surgery and needed something to help me get up easily. This chair was the perfect solution! The remote control is simple to use, and the material is soft but sturdy. Highly recommend it for anyone with mobility issues.
View the 9205L →
Customer photo of an Irene House 9196 lift recliner at home
★★★★★
Knee replacement recovery9196✓ Verified owner
Used this chair while recovering from knee replacement surgery. It was the perfect solution for getting in and out without strain. Recline function helped me rest comfortably for hours.
View the 9196 →
Customer photo of an Irene House 9199 lift recliner at home
★★★★★
After knee surgery9199✓ Verified owner
After my knee surgery, this power lift chair was indispensable. The lift function made getting up painless, and the reclining positions helped me find the perfect angle for rest and recovery. A bit pricey, but worth every penny for the convenience and relief it provides.
View the 9199 →
Customer photo of an Irene House 9188ET lift recliner at home
★★★★★
Patella tendon repair9188ET✓ Verified owner
I had a tore patella tendon in my knee surgically repaired. This chair is awesome for recovery. Irene house staff called me about quick delivery and even ask how I was doing. I highly recommend.
View the 9188ET →

After Hip Replacement

Customer photo of an Irene House 9188 lift recliner at home
★★★★★
Hip surgery at 859188✓ Verified owner
I am having hip surgery in 3 days and needed a recliner that tilts and can be used as a bed to sleep in that’s not too wide in my Independent Senior Living unit. I’m 85 years old and this was the easiest and best purchase I’ve made online! This chair is comfortable, very nice looking and easy to use. Thanks Irene House, I will practically live in this chair, it’s super comfortable!
View the 9188 →
Customer photo of an Irene House 9188 lift recliner at home
★★★★★
Bought for husband awaiting hip replacement9188✓ Verified owner
The chair is amazing. My husband needs a hip replacement and has been struggling to get up from his old chair. With the new recliner he easily gets up with no pain. He was surprised at what a huge difference this makes in his mobility. Even better, your recliner is very comfortable, works great and looks wonderful in our den. When he no longer needs the lift, he will keep enjoying the heat and massage functions We’re thrilled.
View the 9188 →
Customer photo of an Irene House 9188ET lift recliner at home
★★★★★
Husband 6'8", knee & hip replacements9188ET✓ Verified owner
My husband is 6'8" and 300 lbs. He needed a lift chair after having knee and hip replacement surgeries. He loves the chair. We are very happy with the quality and functionality. My only complaint is that the extended foot rest cannot be used, as there were no holes drilled to attach it on one side.
View the 9188ET →

After Back Surgery

Customer photo of an Irene House Other lift recliner at home
★★★★★
Preparing for back surgeryOther✓ Verified owner
The chair we purchased is very comfortable and went together quite easily. I had picked out a different chair. I decided to reach out to Irene House chat to make sure I was ordering the right chair for my needs. I'm having back surgery and will need to live in this chair for several months. The person I was chatting with directed me to a different chair that I had not even seen but met my needs better than the one I was going to order. The chair was shipped the next day and arrived 2 days ...
Customer photo of an Irene House 9196 lift recliner at home
★★★★★
Back surgery two years ago9196✓ Verified owner
Fantastic experience. Chair arrived 1 day earlier than projected. Uncrated the two boxes, viewed the assembly video on the web site and proceeded to put the chair together. Assembly was easy. Easier than the video made it look. Chair is comfortable, having the back rest and foot rest controlled separately makes all the difference in the world when it comes to comfort. Ever since my back surgery 2 years ago I have not been able to get comfortable in my old chair. That has completely change...
View the 9196 →
Customer photo of an Irene House 9188ET lift recliner at home
★★★★★
Sleeping again after back surgery9188ET✓ Verified owner
So far it seems to be of excellent quality. I had back surgery 4 years ago and have to sleep at an angle so I've been sleeping in my recliner which was getting old so I bought this chair, slept in it last night on my right side which I haven't been able to do for a few years and didn't wake up in severe pain. It was easy to purchase but FedEx took longer to get it here then they said it would, but that's not the stores fault.
View the 9188ET →
Customer photo of an Irene House 9188 lift recliner at home
★★★★★
Two back surgeries9188✓ Verified owner
I had two consecutive back surgeries. I still cannot sit in bed. Someone recommended for me to buy a recliner. I bought the medium size (most recliners are huge) and it fits me perfectly. I have been using it since getting home from the hospital a week ago. The electrical control is fantastic and helps me getting in/out. Set up a as no problem. Thank you for a fine product.
View the 9188 →
Customer photo of an Irene House 9205L lift recliner at home
★★★★★
Husband with five back surgeries9205L✓ Verified owner
I got this chair for my husband who is tall and big. He has had 5 back surgeries. Most chairs never fit his legs. This is the best I have found. The extended leg is manual and he cannot do it by himself so we removed it because it will break if you don’t manually flip it under. He loves the heat and vibration for his back. It’s a very soft comfortable chair, and very nice looking.
View the 9205L →

After Shoulder Surgery

Customer photo of an Irene House 9188 lift recliner at home
★★★★★
Broken shoulder recovery9188✓ Verified owner
Best Christmas Present Ever! I broke my shoulder, had surgery and was sent home to practice R.I.C.E. (Rest Ice Compression Elevate) i have the I for ice and the C for compression…(that was the easy part!) But for the life of me…I couldn’t sleep, elevate or get comfortable? Now, that I have my very own, brand new, super-exciting 9188W Lay Flat Recliner Chair With Heat And Massage(Medium/Wide, Chenille Blue)for Christmas! I can practice the rest of the equation…the R. & E… and FINALLY get the Re...
View the 9188 →
Customer photo of an Irene House 9188 lift recliner at home
★★★★★
Post shoulder surgery9188✓ Verified owner
This chair is sooooo comfortable and lays completely flat, which will make it perfect for sleeping in post shoulder surgery. The chenille fabric is so soft and luxurious. The Irene House is a great company to deal with. I had a small problem with the delivery (chair had a little dirt on it), and they were courteous and responsive and a pleasure to deal with. I give them an A plus for customer service.
View the 9188 →
Customer photo of an Irene House 9188 lift recliner at home
★★★★★
Shoulder replacement recovery9188✓ Verified owner
I bought this because I needed a recliner to recover from shoulder replacement surgery. I've been sleeping in it (and living in it) for the last month and have been very happy with it. It was actually surprisingly simple to assemble for 2 people and the quality of the materials is first rate. I do wish the foot rest was longer.
View the 9188 →
Customer photo of an Irene House 9199 lift recliner at home
★★★★★
After shoulder surgery9199✓ Verified owner
I purchased this after shoulder surgery, and it made recovery so much easier. I could sleep in it comfortably for weeks. The fabric is soft, the motors are quiet, and the reclining angles let me find the perfect position. Customer service was also great when I had a small question. Highly recommend for anyone recovering from an operation.
View the 9199 →

After a Stroke

Customer photo of an Irene House 9188 lift recliner at home
★★★★★
Grandmother, 87, after a stroke9188✓ Verified owner
Our beautiful new Power-Lift Chair was delivered with care and packaged securely and it was so easy to connect the cords and attached the back to the chair. The operation is quiet and smooth and the massage and heat features and going to spoil our grandma! She is 87 and after a stroke she lost most of her strength and this chair will multiply the quality of her life dramatically and that was an immediate gift for all of us to see. The price is outstanding, too! Wow. Lastly the gray color of faux...
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Customer photo of an Irene House 9188ET lift recliner at home
★★★★★
Husband's stroke recovery9188ET✓ Verified owner
The chair was easy to put together. I am 75 and I managed to do it myself. I used a you tube video because I did not find the instruction manual until I unboxed the chair back. I was surprised to find a matching pillow. I has a coordinating fabric on the opposite side. We purchased this chair for my husband who is 6'2" tall. The heat will help with sore muscles. He had a stroke and broke a hip. I included a picture of the boxes it came in. There are 3 large boxes so plan for space to unload an...
View the 9188ET →
Customer photo of an Irene House 9188T lift recliner at home
★★★★★
Brother's stroke recovery9188T✓ Verified owner
My brother recently had a left temporal stroke and I bought three tall boy lift chairs to meet his needs. He is happy and sleeps in the chair. Great chair and easy to assemble.
View the 9188T →

Common questions, answered from real reviews

Can you sleep in a lift chair while recovering?

Sleep comes up on its own in 30 of our 109 recovery-related reviews. Owners describe sleeping upright or fully flat for weeks after shoulder, back, and knee procedures. One verified owner wrote: “I slept in it last night on my right side, which I haven't been able to do for a few years, and didn't wake up in severe pain.”

Does the lift function really help with standing up?

22 of 109 recovery reviews specifically mention getting up or out of the chair. A verified owner recovering from two back surgeries wrote: “The electrical control is fantastic and helps me getting in and out.”

Should I buy the chair before or after surgery?

Many families order ahead of a scheduled procedure — 7 reviews mention preparing before surgery day. One owner wrote: “I am having hip surgery in 3 days and needed a recliner that tilts and can be used as a bed to sleep in.”

Which size is right during recovery?

Owners in these stories chose everything from Medium to Big & Tall — the right fit depends on height and build, not on the recovery itself. See how each size fits real owners on our Customer Photos page.

Do heat and massage matter during recovery?

Heat or massage comes up in 15 of 109 recovery reviews. Owners call it a comfort feature, not a treatment — as one wrote about her husband: “He loves the heat and vibration for his back.”

About these stories: every quote on this page comes from a verified review of an Irene House chair. We never change a customer's opinion — we only trim for length and remove personal details.

These stories describe personal experiences, not medical advice. Always follow the guidance of your care team.

Want to see how each size fits? Browse real owner photos on our Customer Photos page.