will i be able to lay om my side immediately post-op?

I have obstructive sleep apnea when I sleep on my back...I don't use a CPAP since I'm a light sleeper and I just sleep on my side instead.

I slept on my side with no problem.

No; it took me 3 weeks before I could lay on my side. I have sleep apnea, but use a machine, so lying on my back was ok. A lot of people talk about sleeping in a recliner & say that it helps a lot.

I couldn't have surgery without a CPAP because of the risks of sleep apnea and being put under.

I also couldn't sleep on my side for about 3 weeks.

Same here. I had to go through a sleep study as part of the pre-op testing which is where the mild sleep apnea was discovered. I would not have been approved for surgery if I didn't agree to the CPAP. The good news is that within 3 months post-op, I had lost enough weight that I was able to discontinue the CPAP (had to undergo another sleep study to confirm).

Recliners are fantastic for the first couple of weeks.

You may be able to sleep on your side, you might not. If it hurts, stop. If it doesn't, you're ok.

I don't think they'll let you have surgery without bringing a CPAP machine if you have sleep apnea. My centre was pretty adamant about having me tested, then couldn't believe I didn't have it. When I was in the hospital for surgery, the tech came in wanting to check my CPAP machine and couldn't believe I didn't have one, or didn't have sleep apnea. I told him I had asthma and asked if that made him feel better, and he cracked up laughing.

I told my surgeon I had it but hadn't been diagnosed (sleep study). He didn't ask if I had a CPAP. It was kinda self explanatory that I didn't. In an case thanks for the responses. I called his office a bit ago to double-check. The receptionist seemed to think the same(Bring CPAP with me). Doc was in surgery but she's going to ask him to give me a call back tomorrow. Thanks everyone!

I lasted exactly one night in a recliner...couldn't sleep. I'm a side sleeper, so I just tried it the second night, and propped up my belly with a pillow to keep the incisions from feeling like they were pulling. Worked great, and I slept good.

I slept in a recliner for a week or two because it wasn't comfortable to sleep on my side, and when I did sleep on my side I had to wedge a pillow next to me tummy for support. If you get an abdominal binder, it may help as well.