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Mattresses for The Overweight
Mattresses for the overweight take a bit more care in selecting than for the regular population. There is more stress taken by the mattress, so a mattress built to last and support the extra weight is important for the people using it. Talking to your doctor and to reputable bed dealers will guide you in your decision. This is one bed I wouldn't buy without lying down on it first.
Are you one of the millions of people across the country who weighs more than they should? Many people are classified as obese and for this reason there have been new advancements concerning purchasing a mattress. Obesity is defined as weighing 20% or more of what your ideal weight. Keeping your body weight in mind when buying a mattress is essential to ensure that your mattress lasts a long time and lets you sleep comfortably.
Finding the right mattress will hopefully let you experience less back pain. Less back pain gives you more energy to exercise and do the other things that you need to do. Another great benefit to finding the right mattress for you is that it can help prevent heartburn and other esophageal symptoms. What kind of mattress should you consider if you are overweight?
One of the mattresses that you can consider if you weigh more than you should is either a viscoelastic memory foam mattress or latex mattress. One reason they make a good choice is there are no springs to create pressure point pains for you. And since springs wearing out is one reason mattresses don't support you during sleep and cause mattress sag. Another reason this is a good choice is that this kind of mattress comes in many different thicknesses and firmness levels to allow you to find the exact mattress that fits your needs and wants.
Buying a foam mattress that is slightly firmer than you want at first will allow the mattress to soften after you sleep on it for a while. A high-density mattress is also best for you if you are overweight to help it last longer. Your high-density mattress will most likely last two to four years less than it would if you were average-sized, but if you choose a lower density mattress then it could wear out up to seven years sooner. For an average sized person, a high-quality memory foam mattress may last up to 15 years.
An air mattress, or air bed, is also a good choice for an overweight person. Due to the ability to increase and decrease the air level to change the mattress's firmness, this mattress choice can be a comfortable one for you if you're overweight. There are also no pressure points in an air mattress, so you do not have to worry about pressure-point pain while sleeping on it. You want to choose a high-quality air mattress because the construction will be durable enough to last you for several years. Now is not the time to scrimp on your purchase or you may find that you will be replacing your mattress much quicker than you had planned.
Spring mattresses can be good choices for obese or overweight people if they shop carefully and get inner coil mattresses that are designed for heavy people. The number of springs, the thickness of the spring metal, and how they are tied together contribute to mattresses suitable for people with weight problems. Talk at length to a knowledgeable and reputable mattress dealer so you can be sure to make the best inner spring mattress decision, if that's the route you decide to go.
Being overweight does not mean that you just will not sleep well. If you find the right mattress for your particular body, you will find that you sleep more soundly and comfortably. This will translate into more energy, less pain, and a better mood. Doesn't that sound like something that you both need and deserve?
Comments
Hi John, I haven't researched this mattress personally. Have you tried doing a search at www.google.com ?
The Mattress Lady at March 16, 2009 07:56 AM
Glad I stumbled across this website. I have been trying to find a bed for over a year now. I weigh over 700lbs (not a typo), however the cost of a bariatric bed is about $4,000 Cdn. (I live in Ontario), and disability in Ontario would only give me $1,000 towards the bed.
I figure if I could find something in that price range that would last me at least a year or two it would be better than the sagging spring mattress I currently have. Due to my current bed I have lower back inflammation as there is simply no support whatsoever.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I am not able to get out and look at things and people I have tried calling don't seem interested in answering questions.
Cheers!
Jeff at March 18, 2009 01:22 AM
Hi Jeff, Have you gone to google to search for bariatric mattresses? I'll bet you get some hits and could then follow up with a phone call or email. Be sure to visit consumer opinion sites (epinion.com is a good one) to see what other people think of the products you find.
The Mattress Lady at March 20, 2009 11:14 AM
Hello,
I have searched and searched and searched, however there is very little that I can find for bariatric mattresses.
There are 2.6lbs density foam bariatric mattresses, but that leaves me without a high enough frame to put it on.
I figure a 10" foam mattress (4" 5.2lbs, 6" 2lbs foam), would be the best bet. I would hope that the mattress would last 1-1.5 years before there is much sagging. I figure by the end of that time I could be about 400lbs lighter (having bariatric surgery sometime in the next few months).
For $840cdn, I can get the above mentioned mattress.
Jeff at March 28, 2009 11:14 AM
Sounds like a good idea Jeff. You'll be suprised how quickly you weight once your surgery is performed too. Hoping all goes exactly as planned with your surgery and wishing you a speedy recovery!
The Mattress Lady at March 31, 2009 04:13 PM
I am an uninsured American (one of those 47 million you hear about) so I have no idea if I have a medical problem that can be defined as arthritis, fibromyalgia, or Lyme's arthritis. Or perhaps I would be told these aches are just because I am fat and post-menopausal. Needless to say, I am hoping my body aches will be helped by a new bed. I get very frustrated with the idea that all heavy people need a FIRMER bed. I was in real hell until I added a couple foam toppers to my old, hard spring mattress. I feel that most mattress manufacturers and sleep advisers focus on back pain. I have NO back pain and never had in my whole life. I am a side sleeper exclusively and have been since childhood. Thus I have sporadic hip pain and constant shoulder pain. I know I am going to purchase a foam mattress. I wish the foam mattress makers/sellers had to tell buyers the density and ILD's of their foam, so I could compare apples to apples. Of course, THEY don't want you to know what you are getting and which ones are likely to last longer than others. If I don't find a source for this type of detailed information, it looks like I will be assembling my own mattress from a foam supplier. I cannot pay $2-3000. But I can put together my own for $700. (I am going with latex over a base of high density foam.)Or I can find mattresses supposedly for the obese, (latex or memory over HD base) for $1400 or so, but with no details about their quality of components. I would love to buy one already assembled by a company in a nice fitting cover, but not without details. Long story to get to the point: Is there any source of independant mattress quality analysis?
Nancy at April 1, 2009 07:46 AM
Thank you for the well wishes Mattress Lady, I hope things go well too.
Nancy the site that I am buying my mattress from had a comparison chat that listed information for few brand name foam mattresses. The following the the ILD they list:
Conform2U: 4" 5.2lb top layer, 11-13lb ILD Tempur-pedic: 3" 5.3lb top layer, 14-15lb ILD Sealy Posturepedic: 3" 5.2lb top layer, 12lb ILD Novaform: 3" 4lb top layer, 12-14lb ILD
I am getting the Conform2U mattress. A queen size foam mattress for $840Cdn. was good enough for me.
I have heard good things about Bedinabox.com foam mattresses, specifically the PacDown Plus and PacBamboo mattresses. Unfortunately the cost to ship to me was nearly $100US, plus I would have to pay at least another $100 for brokerage fees and then 13% sales tax on top of all that.
I hope any info I posted is helpful to you. Also not sure if the ILD information is accurate, but I would hope the wouldn't just pull numbers out of thin air on a comparison chart.
Cheers!
Jeff at April 2, 2009 01:50 AM
Hi Nancy,
The post below yours (Thanks Jeff!) might offer a bit of help.
In short, not that I know of. I would think that if you rounded up a list of the mattresses you've found that you would consider buying and call the manufacturer, they should be willing to answer about the density and ILD's. Face it, they want your money, they should be willing to answer your questions.
The Mattress Lady at April 3, 2009 01:14 PM
I have gained a bit of weight over the last few years. I am 244lbs and has been threw 3 different mattresses in the last 3-5 years and the last one i bought makes me completely miserable made by serta( perfect sleeper eurotop danford. Prior to that i had a sealy posturepedic emerald le plush. Both mattresses give me great upper and lower back pain and achy joints.I wake up so tired that i hate to go to sleep at nite. Even my two couches suck. My doctor speaks highly of a tempur pedic mattress but they cost so much. Do you have any mattress advice for me? I am a 36 year old african american woman that smokes if that makes any difference. I need a good nite's rest.
monica at May 27, 2009 08:42 PM
Hi Monica, All I can tell you is that tempur pedic mattresses are of very good quality. Keep in mind what I've pointed out in the article and do your homework. ;o)
The Mattress Lady at May 27, 2009 10:03 PM
