The Mattress Expert

Bulging Disc & Arthritis, Two-Sided Firm Mattress & Soft Latex Foam Topper

Bertha of kansas city, writes:
We are in the process of looking to purchase a new mattress recently had weight loss surgery I am just below 300 pds and I have bulging discs in my back the worst is at L5 & S1 but also have arthritis. What would be the best mattress to purchase.

Hi Bertha,
The mattress you purchase for a 300 pounder and the one you purchase for someone half that weight, are likely to be two different beds. Having just had the surgery, the recommendation a year from now could be very different. Your bulging disc problems and arthritis are chronic and will remain. But at 150 pounds, they won't bother you as much.
Your situation is such that you have conflicting problems....weight aside. Your disc problems require firm support and you arthritis requires a soft surface. The problem with soft top mattresses is, they don't keep their shape. At 300 or 150, you'll still need to address your condition in two parts...a mattress on the firm side and a soft topper. The reason for the topper is a matter of control and economics. When the padding in a soft top mattress compresses and loses it's shape, the whole bed is shot. When a separate topper wears, only the topper needs to be replaced and not the mattress. Also, you can better control the degree of softness you need. If you get a latex foam topper, the topper is likely to outlast the mattress. They are that durable.
The issue of weight doesn't change your disc or arthritis problems, but it does have an affect on how strong a mattress you need to buy. At your current weight, we recommend the Therapedic Two-sided firm mattresses....adding to that, a 2" soft Talalay Latex foam mattress topper.
My thought is, (if your current mattress still has some life to it), get the topper now and make what you have more comfortable. You can buy the mattress later if the topper alone isn't enough.

http://themattressexpert.com/mattress-brands/therapedic-two-sided-flippable-mattresses/

http://themattressexpert.com/talalay-dunlop-latextoppers/

 

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

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Latex Foam Mattress

Beau of New York, writes:
I am replacing my mattress which is sagging very badly in the middle and Im not really sure what to buy. I have a platform bed and do not require a boxspring. I like cushion firm or plush but nothing softer. I was looking at some of the springfree latex ones from Sealy and they seem great. I want to make sure I dont have the sagging problem again so I figured this would be good way to go. Any suggestions?

Hi Beau,
Latex is definately more resilient than any other material available. We carry two of the best all-latex foam mattress brands...Pure LatexBLISS and Ever-Eden.
However, there are other things to look at. The platform bed must have a brace beam going up the middle that supports all of the slats...and that beam should have, at least, 2 legs going to the floor. Otherwise, it could be your platform causing the sag.
Also, if you sleep alone, you'll have a tendency to sleep only in the middle. Your mattress will wear, wherever you exert pressure. If it's only in the middle, then it's in the middle where the wear will be. If you sleep alone, make an effort to sleep on either side, as wellas the middle...and don't forget to rotate your mattress. A new mattress should be rotated every month for the first year.

http://themattressexpert.com/mattress-brands/all-natural-latex/pure-latexbliss/

http://themattressexpert.com/mattress-brands/all-natural-latex/evereden-latex-models/

 

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

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Tempurpedic Grand mattress

Andrea of Huntersville, writes:
Hi,
I have always preferred very firm mattresses to help support my back and when my husband and I decided to upgrade from a Queen to a King, we tried them all. I really liked the Tempurpedic Grand in the showroom, and we forked over the $8K to make sure we had a good quality bed that would last for years to come. Shortly after we bought the bed,I herniated a disc and all I could think of was that I was glad that I bought the bed to help get me better. Now, two years later I am still having massive back problems (I have since herniated the same disc in my low back twice more). My husband made a note about how my back issues seem to have begun within a month of buying the Tempurpedic. To test this, we set me up in our guest room on the old bed (Simmons). Last night was my first night on the old bed and I can walk again within one night (I literally had to have a person in front of me so I could hold their shoulders to get to the bathroom, etc).
Ok, so here are my questions:
Although I don't think that I herniated my disc in bed, I think it could have weakened my back. Is there any research out there that you know of that would support this evidence?
What mattresses are good and firm for someone like me? Everywhere we went there were pillowtops and softer beds. I need something that starts out like a rock and when it "breaks in" needs to end up at very firm for the support.
Now that it's been two years, what are my chances of getting some sort of a refund on this bed? It clearly can't be used and I just want it out of the house, but now can't afford a new bed. Are there any specific arguments I should use?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hi Andrea,
I've been doing this blog for the past 6 years...with more than 20,000 questions asked and answered. In that time, there have been endless complaints about the effects of memory foam.
Clearly you based your decision on what was advertised to you and what was said to you in the store...and, of course, the initial feel of the mattress. 8 Grand!!!??? Without question, you made a mistake...an expensive one. I know you want to blame the mattress and Tempurpedic for your problems, but you must bare some of the responsibility for allowing yourself to be so utterly taken in.
In the past 17 years, since that type of mattress came on the market, the entire industry went downhill. How can this be, you ask? An entire industry? Well, I'll tell you. That was the first mattress sold via mass media. They pumped a ton of money into TV and radio ads. As their share of the market grew, other companies began making similar mattresses to recapture their share of the business.
Don't feel too bad, though. Lots of people were and still are taken in by all that advertising....(a good portion of that 8K, I might add).
My chiropractor is busier than ever and says that back problems have increased dramatically over the past 15 years....nationally.
Coincidence?!
In case you're new to our shores, Welcome to America...a place where you can sell anything to anyone. Show them a hand print in a piece of foam that doesn't come back and tell them over and over again about just how great an idea that is...and you'll sell millions.
You got screwed...but you let it happen.
Turn your mattress over and sleep on the underside. You'll be able to walk tomorrow too.
You learned a lesson the hard way and if I was a little rough on you, it was to make a point to all those who are considering taking the same path you took.

http://mattressexpert.typepad.com/the_mattress_expert/tempurpedic-memory-foam/

 

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

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Sealy Posturepedic Signature Mattress & Latex Foam Topper

Susan of Huntington Beach, writes:
Hi Peter,
I have been reading your various posts about the Sealy Posturepedic mattress and think that this might be an option for me. My husband has degenerative disc disease and needs a firm mattress and I have bursitis in my hips so need some softening. He weighs about 190 and I weigh about 150. I looked at mattresses at Sears to see if the Sealy Signature might be the best for me. Their king size Signature series mattress set is called Sealy Candle Glow and is priced at $1,499.99 on sale. I have read some of your comments and understand that there are levels of mattress, but the Sears saleperson did not know this and could not tell me which level of Signature series this mattress was. Can you please tell me which level of mattress this Sears mattress is and if this is the right choice for me. Also can you please tell me where I can find a latex topper since I have also read some of the comments on your blog about how dissatisfied others have been with the built-in mattress toppers. And one last question, can the signture series Sealy mattress be flipped or is it one-sided? Thanks!

Hi Susan,
The Sears Candle Glow is a level 11 Signature...same as our Pecan Ridge. We have that in king at $1299 delivered and no sales tax. $1499 isn't much of a sale price.
We also carry the latex toppers. The 2" soft Talalay latex foam topper, (most popular), runs $449 in king. All of the Posturepedics are one sided...as are most other beds.

http://themattressexpert.com/talalay-dunlop-latextoppers/

 

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

Factory Direct to You....All Items Made Factory Fresh to Fill Your Order

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Inexpensive Mattress

Leigh Ann of new york:
Hi! I just graduated from college and am looking to buy a full size mattress. I do not have a lot to spend so I want to keep it under $600. I am leaning towards the Simmons Beauty Rest Mountain Laurel. What do you think? Any other suggestions for a first time mattress buyer on a budget?

Hi Leigh Ann,
We have the Simmons Beautyrest "Bream" at $539 for the full size set.
We also have the Sealy Posturepedic Reserve level 9 for the same price as the level 7, for $639. You should check out our website.
A budget limits your choices, but hey, it is what it is. These would be the best for the bucks on hand.

 

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

Factory Direct to You....All Items Made Factory Fresh to Fill Your Order

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Vera Wang Latex Foam Mattress

Michelle of Lyme, writes:
Hi,
We just went out and purchased a Vera Wang "Beyond Nature" by Serta Latex mattress. I am not sleeping as well as I thought. I even went out and bought a new latex pillow. Got any clues as to what may be going wrong? Did I get a sham for a mattress?
Thanks,

Hi Michelle,
The Serta Vera Wang Beyond Natural is one of those products that is sold as being a latex mattress. It has latex in it, but uses a poly foam core. It's very important to check the specs when buying any mattress, but especially a latex mattress....as so many do not have a latex core and are so flagrantly misrepresented. Here are links to the 2 all latex foam mattress lines we carry.

http://themattressexpert.com/mattress-brands/all-natural-latex/pure-latexbliss/

http://themattressexpert.com/mattress-brands/all-natural-latex/evereden-latex-models/

 

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

Factory Direct to You....All Items Made Factory Fresh to Fill Your Order

Free Delivery Nationwide....US & Canada...NO SALES TAX.

 

New mattress or latex foam topper?

eleanor of quallicum beach, writes:
Hi:
We've had our mattress about twenty years. It still feels ok, should we change it anyway, for health reasons or otherwise?

Hi Eleanor,
I am loathed to recommend buying something you don't need. The flip side is that a 20 year old mattress is worn and your body has become accustomed to the gradual wear. When you do finally buy a new mattress, it will be difficult for your body to make the adjustment. The longer you keep the old one, the longer it will take to make that adjustment. The new mattress adjustment period can be painful....and take weeks.
Also, the older you are, the more difficult it will be.
If you are elderly, I think I'd rather see you get a latex topper for the one you have. If you are middle aged, you'd be better off replacing it now...while you're body is young enough to make the transition.
Shop for value. You're going to find that mattresses aren't made as well as they were 20 years ago. An impulse buy, based solely of comfort, is almost cetainly going to make you wish you had your old one back.
In other words, don't let yourself be sold. Since you mattress is still reasonably comfortable, there's no rush to buy. The better quality mattresses aren't as expensive as the ones the salesmen are pushing...normally.
20 years ago, salesmen were trained to know their products and trained to have the desire to meet your needs. Today, many are trained to deliver a smooth line of BS. So be careful... what you believe.

Something to consider is adding a latex foam mattress topper to what you have. If the mattress is sound, but just needs to be more comfortable, a 2" soft Talalay Latex foam mattress topper will do the job and extend the life of your current mattress.

http://themattressexpert.com/talalay-dunlop-latextoppers/

 

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

Factory Direct to You....All Items Made Factory Fresh to Fill Your Order

Free Delivery Nationwide....US & Canada...NO SALES TAX.

 

Confused about mattresses

Alisha of Amherst:
I recently tried what seems like 100 different matresses. I took the Sleep to live test and found that a plush mattress is best for me. My pervious Mattress was a plush Sealy Crown Jewel (Which I loved) and now think I like another Sealy called South Court. What other mattress compares to the South Court? How is this mattress even made? Should I buy a mattress with 782 or more coils? I noticed a Serta's Vera Wang has 814 coils. Does coil count really matter? I am not heavy, but I have herniated discs in my lower back (which act up occasionally), so it's important that I get the right mattress. I'm so confused right now.

Hi Alisha,
You should be confused. In fact, you're supposed to be confused. The industry is geared to confusing the consumer. Gimmicks, like that Sleep to Live test are there to make matters worse. You will almost certainly make a mistake, if you rely on that machine to do the deciding for you. It wasn't a sleep clinic you walked into. It was a mattress store. That machine isn't a medical diagnostic tool. It's a sales tool. It's there to assist the salesperson in helping him sell you the bed that makes them the most money...Sleep to Live.
There's a whole lot more to a mattress than the number of coils....but you wouldn't know it, to listen to salespeople go on about it. Truth is, many salespeople don't know much more than that.
You sound like you're buying your first mattress. Much of what you learned so far is nonsense. Trying so many mattresses at one time will only confuse you further.
The South Court, however, is not a bad choice for your needs...except that you're paying much more for it at that store than anywhere else on the face of the Earth.
The South Court is made a little differently for that store than the national line. The purpose of the exclusive specs is to allow them to artificially inflate the price without fear that you'll be able to shop it.
Compared to the national line model, a half inch of poly foam was removed and a half inch of memory foam was used in its place....and more memory foam is not a good thing.
The National line model is known as the Sealy Posturepedic, Reserve Series, level 7. Model names are different at every store. Our model name for that is Wysteria Lane. On our website, you'll find a discounted price. Compared to their inflated price, you'll wonder if its the same bed...and that's what they want you to think. Except for that 1/2" change in padding, they are the same.
That model is available in 6 choices of comfort. Having a herniated disc, I'd suggest the cushion firm. If you want a plusher surface, add a topper that can be replaced when it wears. If you go with the plush, it may be too soft for your disc problem and there'd be no way to adjust it to suit your taste. Also, when plush padding wears...compresses, there's no way to revive it...leaving you to, buying a new mattress as your only option.
The Sealy coils are stronger than the coils in that Serta.
Check our website for pricing. And while we have the best price on that mattress, almost any store would have a better price than the store you were in. Who do you think pays for all that mass media advertising? Ultimately, it's the consumer. 
 

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

Factory Direct to You....All Items Made Factory Fresh to Fill Your Order

Free Delivery Nationwide....US & Canada...NO SALES TAX.

 

Stearns & Foster Newgate mattress

beth of new york, N.Y.:
I ordered the Sterns and Foster Newgate. I have shoulder and neck pain - am I better off with the pillow top or luxury firm? I am also wondering if this is the best S & F mattress for me.

Hi Beth,
Pillowtops tend to lose their shape more quickly than a tight top.
At the store you were in, your choices are limited. They don't make available, every mattress that S&F makes.
The Newgate is the starting model in the S&F line and is referred to by the factory as the "H" grade...which is how you should ask for it when shopping. Model names are different at every store. Our model name for that is Blisswood...Hearthstone at Sears...etc.
That level of S&F is availavle in a luxury firm and a luxury plush...each comes with or without a pillowtop....4 choices in all.
You'll also want to check the pricing on our website for that, as the the store you bought it from, tends not to sell it at a discount.
The Blisswood/Newgate is a well made bed. Right for you?...I couldn't say, based on the info provided.

 

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

Factory Direct to You....All Items Made Factory Fresh to Fill Your Order

Free Delivery Nationwide....US & Canada...NO SALES TAX.

 

Medium Latex Foam MattressTopper

Pat  of Lehight, writes:
You mentioned a medium topper in your reply to me.  What type of topper is it?  Thanks 

Hi Pat,
It's a latex foam topper. They are available in soft, medium and firm.
The medium feel seems more appropriate in your case.

http://themattressexpert.com/talalay-dunlop-latextoppers/

 

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

Factory Direct to You....All Items Made Factory Fresh to Fill Your Order

Free Delivery Nationwide....US & Canada...NO SALES TAX.