Sleeping

I am just a few days post op.  I have been home from the hospital since Wednesday.   Just wondering if others have had problems sleeping.   I am used to sleeping belly down and I can't!   I am hopeful that this problem passes soon.    Any one else have a similar problem?  how long before I can get a good nite's sleep??     

Mike, I'm at 11 months out.  When I first got home I could ony sleep about 2 hrs at a time, so I just worked that into my routine.  The pain meds they sent me home with were near useless. Percocet I believe.  My pharmacist told me to try taking 1 percocet and 1 or 2 acetominaphen to get better results.  It really helped.  It was almost 2 weeks out before I got to where I slept for 4 hr blocks.  By the fourth week I was back to sleeping 6-7.  Now on the other side of the coin,...I had stopped using my CPAP except I tried it a couple of nghts but it didn't make a difference and I had stopped snoring. So I packed it upi and tossed it in the attic.  Never looked back. I've lost 176 pounds and can tell you, it goes by fast and its all very much worth it. You are going to go through a post op chemical detox from the surgery that affects your sleep patterns and your taste buds.  The up side is it passes in 2 days to a week ,..or so.  It varys per person for some reason(s).  The worst is over, the relaearning to eat, get your new habits developed and listening to your body is you current stage.  Remember, if no one has told you, some periods tha scale is gong to show weight loss; other periods you are going to experience baggy clothes (body parts shrinking,...except one thats going to become more accessible).  These two periods alternate so don't get too discouraged when it seems the scale is stuck. You should drop 30-40 lbs these first two weeks then it will drasically taper to single digits for about a week, then go double digits again for a week or two.  That routine continues in proportionally  smaller numbers as you continue to get smaller and more mobile.  Be sure to keep us posted on your progress and Fantastic Amazing Remarkable Terrific (FART) experinces and you are now on the downward screamingly fun portion of the rollercoaster ride we call the Post-op WLS journey. May the FARTS be with you!! Can you say Nap??? Joe

Thanks for the info Joe.' - Mike

Mike, I was a “face-down” sleeper for 47 years, till WLS. I had difficulty sleeping on my back as well, Till I got used to it. I’m now a “flat on my back” sleeper. If you are having troubles nodding off, Maybe try a benadryl or melatonin. Those are pretty safe methods of making many sleep. Home just since Wednesday? Yeah, you’re in the roughest part still. Hang in there, It does get easier each week. Best Wishes- Dx

I've already commented on my own changes in my sleeping "poses" but I can add that for the first 57 years it was sort of "canted" on my side/tummy. The size of that tummy meant that I was for the most part, on my semi-side or so. Now, 47 weeks out from my WLS day, I'm a pure "side sleeper" and can drop off in an instant. BTW, how some guys can sleep on their back is beyond me reach...I just can't! Jim

When I was 12 years old I had a serious leg fracture and was laid up in a full cast for 3 months and HAD to sleep on my back.  It's been that way ever since!  Before that I always slept on my belly. * By the way.... that's when my obesity problem set in. 3 months+ of laying down and eating. I was a hyper child and very active and thin when I broke my leg, but when I was down all I could do was eat out of boredom and anxiety.

I was the exact polar opposite of Joe.   I hate pain meds, hate the way they make me feel, and other than one or two times with liquid vicodin, I didn't use pain meds after my surgery.  I had an open RNY. I did, however, change my sleeping position quite a bit.  I went from only being able to sleep on my left side, to sleeping on my back for a very long time.  Now, with the massive weight loss, I sleep spooned with my wife.  I also have been able to cut the CPAP out.  Once I get my lymphedema and cellulitis infections under control, I will probably go have a sleep study done just to make sure I don't need it on a different setting or something, but for now, I'm doing just fine without it.  My wife said that I don't snore almost at all any more, and the "herky jerky" style of breathing is gone.  She says I "sleep peacefully". But, you'll get used to it.  You'll probably be like a lot of us and find a position that's even more comfortable to sleep in.  Just give it time.  You have to keep in mind that it takes about six weeks to fully heal from the surgery.  There's bound to be some adjustments and a little discomfort at first. Good luck!

I am almost 4 weeks out now.  At first all I could do was slep in my recliner (it was the closest thing to a hospital bed I had.)  When I tried to sleep in my bed and roll on my side like normal, it felt like stuff was moving inside and something was very uncomfortable. At about 2.5 weeks I was able to sleep normally in my bed, and 4 weeks out I sleep fantastic.  Good luck in your journey.  You are on what was the hardest day for me (That gas couldn't find its way out!!!)

I too am a face down sleeper.  I had an open surgery a couple years ago for cancer and it was absolutely painful to sleep on my stomach for several months.  I did find that the recliner portion of my couch was pretty comfortable and I was able to sleep there.

Mike, I spent almost two weeks post-op sleeping in a recliner. I usually sleep on my stomach, so I worried that I'd have trouble but I was so tired I slept reasonably well. i'd wake up a few times a night, but was able to doze off again without too much hassle. If you can get your daily walks in and such, you just might be tired enough to catch a few zzzs here and there in a semi-upright position. In any event, you should be sleeping very well in another week or so. Good luck.