sleeping question

Hi, Had my surgery March 9th, and i am still sleeping on my back. My post op instructions tell me at 4 wks i can then try laying on my stomach. How i normally sleep is on my side, but i am afraid to. When i asked my DR. he kinda thought maybe i should wait. I just am not getting a good night sleep though. Anyone around 3 wks, sleeping any other way but on their back? Thanks Ellen

I've been sleeping on my side since day 1. Mine was laproscopic though. Was your lap or open? Maybe open patients have different sleeping instructions since sleeping on side could pull on incision. I don't know. Be careful though. Don't do anything to wreck your good progress so far. My sleep schedule was out of whack for two weeks post-op (better this week) no matter how I slept.

I had open and was sleeping on my side at about 6 or 7 days. My surgeon didn't seem concerned about any sleeping instructions. He just said if it hurts, don't do it! I am a little over 3 weeks now and everything has been normal for a week or so. I can sleep on my stomach if I want to. I haven't been sleeping good for some reason, but it isn't because of any discomfort or sleeping positions. I just seem to sleep for a few hours, then wake up and I'm wide awake. I lay there for an hour or so and eventually fall back asleep. I go back to work on Monday though so I will be getting up earlier in the morning and hopefully I will be exhausted when I go to bed and sleep straight through. Chris S.

Do you think it's because of our increased energy levels now? I experience the same thing - either I'm WIDE awake and can't go to sleep or I wake up at like 5am, 6am or something and am WIDE awake for the day. I never wake up that early - ever! I'm contributing it to increased energy, but I don't know. My sleep has been out of whack since surgery,and like you, it isn't pain related. Dr. prescribed me Ambien though and I've been taking that nightly and doing okay.

Increased energy is all I can attribute it to. I'm not uncomfortable. My only problem is a pinched nerve that I had prior to surgery, my left thigh has been numb for about a year, and that hurts if I lay on my back too long. I think the nerve in my spine is getting pinched in that position after a while. I hope that goes away as I lose weight and relieve some of the burden on my spine. But sleepwise, it only bothers me on my back and I don't sleep on my back too much. Tomorrow I go back to work and have to start getting up early and the stress will come back. We'll see how I sleep then! Chris S.

I've been sleeping on my tummy since 2 1/2 weeks post op. I was laying on my side by the end of the first week, I just couldnt lay on my right side because it caused pain in the left?? I had a lap.

I'm three weeks out and having some leaking issues with my incision (which is keeping it tender), so I haven't tried sleeping on my stomach. Because I had an LP tube the first week, laying on my left side hurt until just about two days ago. Sleeping on my back and right side is getting old and my sleep pattern is interrupted, but I know it will get better.

Hi Ellen, I am 4 weeks postop and have been sleeping on my sides (favorite position) since about 2 days out of the hospital. My tale bone was too sore to stay on my back, and being on my sides was no problem. Switching from side to side is still a feat, but getting more manageable. Best of luck, and hopefully a new position will help you catch more zzzzz's. TraciL

Hi Ellen I had lap on 3/16 and am just about 2 weeks out now. I was having a heck of a time getting any rest on my back so about 4 days ago I said the heck with it and started out on my side. Last night I actually was able to sleep on my belly. I wake up and have to move alot during the night and sometimes when I wake in the morning I am stiff and in mild discomfort but I am definately sleeping longer. Again I had Lap so this might be why I am able to already sleep in this position.

I'am 15 days post-op and am a side sleeper, I had open, and still cant sleep on my side, I get a pulling feeling. Each week seems to get better, so I'am hoping next week I will be able to sleep on my side. I think I'am getting use to sleeping somewhat on my back. I use a pillow under my upper part of my legs , it helps me sleep a little better.