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

The hospital gave me a binder to wear. That let me sleep on my side.

I was not able to sleep on my side for about 3 weeks. I was also starting at 347 pounds -- so my stomach may have been quite a bit larger and heavier than yours. You may not have that issue depending on your weight and build. The problem was the pulling of the weight of my stomach on the incisions -- it made it extremely uncomfortable.

I did use my c-Pap machine to sleep propped up in bed, or in a recliner for that time. I eventually was so tired, that I slept. I tried a binder -- it only helped minimally. I hated that part -- I am definitely a side sleeper, too!

This isn't meant to sound snarky, but everyone with Obstructive Sleep Apnea are light sleepers without a machine -- it's the nature of the disease as you are constantly waking throughout the night. When I was finally diagnosed officially and put on the c-Pap, I couldn't believe the difference in my sleep! I had no idea that my sleep has been so un- restorative.

Anesthesia can make the condition worse, which is why it's extremely important to let the anesthesiologist know you may have obstructive sleep apnea if you're having surgery. Anesthesia also can cause the throat to relax and close up and sleep apnea can lead to breathing problems after surgery. It also can make it more difficult to regain consciousness after surgery and take a breath.

That's why most 5-star programs require a sleep study and compliance to qualify for surgery --- as well as having the c-Pap available in the hospital during recovery.

I know you're not trying to be snarky. Lol. When I said I was a super light sleeper I didn't mean it in the way that I wake up every 5 minutes because I got sleep apnea.

I meant in the way that someone could slit the door and Whisper my name and I'm instantly awake, every little unrecognizable noise in the neighborhood will wake me up, my phone can ring and I go from sound sleep to clear coherent speech in 3 seconds flat(don't always remember the conversation though! LOL).

FWIW, that is what I meant, too.

When you have sleep apnea, you don't realize that you never get into restful sleep -- nor that you are constantly waking from your breathing. I always thought I was just an extremely "light" sleeper. I just thought I was easily awakened. I heard everything and could pop up instantly -- I never struggled to get up with the baby, etc.

I never thought I was waking up from my breathing. I thought I was sleeping and just waking up from sounds/movement.

Additionally, I could fall asleep on a dime. Almost instantly. Then I could wake just as fast.

The difference after having the c-pap for even a few days was absolutely astounding.

After surgery, one of the nurses forgot to put my CPAP on. My oxygen kept dropping and setting off the alarm. After a few times, one nurse hustled in and put my CPAP on.

Additionally, there are also thin people who have sleep apnea. It's not always obesity driven.

It was explained to me that with sleep apnea you never get into deep rem sleep. That is why many people with sleep apnea are so tired all the time. It is also why they are light sleepers.

I was able to sleep on my side the first night in the hospital. As you can see, each one is different.

I think I slept on my side with a lot of pillows propping me up. I also find that if I have pillows beside my face it gives me the illusion of sleeping on side even if I am not. Get enough squishy pillows and you should be able to work something out. Diane s

Unlikely. I could not sleep on my side for a couple of weeks.

I couldn't sleep on my side after surgery. It took a few weeks b4 I could sleep comfortably on my side. Sleeping with pillows helped & not sleeping all the way on the side helped too.