How do you sleep at night?!

I was just wondering how all you "side sleepers" out there (like myself) dealt with having to sleep on your back after surgery?!  I always start the sleeping process on my back but then as soon as I feel myself drifting off to sleep I turn on my side! I'm afraid that I will do the same after surgery and hurt myself.  Has anyone else had a problem with this? Or am I just over thinking things as usual? hehe...But really, how long does that go on for?!

While I was in the hospital I asked them if I could sleep on my side, they said I could sleep however I was comfortable.   Honestly, the weight of my belly pulling on my side all night hurt the next morning (during my first week post-op).   After one week post-op I can sleep on my side or on my belly.   For side sleeping it helps to have lots of pillows, either behind your back so you can lean on them or on your belly side so you can lean on that.   It is really trial and error, just take it slow! Good luck, I saw your surgery is coming up very soon!!! ~Leslie

I am a major side sleeper and for the first two weeks i couldn't sleep on anyside so i just had alot of pillows and one of those big ones that have tha arms, so i pretty much slept at a 30 degree angle.  after the two weeks i was able to sleep on my right side, then maybe after a month I was comfortable enough to sleep on my left.  My drs told me to not lie on my left bc it might put too much pressure on my stomach and it was just really uncomfortable.  If you can get one of those pillows or have a recliner in your house that might be good for the first week or so, but make sure you have lots of pillows.  Don't worry about trying to sleep like that now, you need all the rest you can get before surgery, and probably after a month or so you'll be comfortable enough to sleep on your side.

Honestly one of the worst parts about the surgery for me was having to sleep on my back for so long.  I usually sleep on my stomach, sometimes side and I couldn't do either for about a month.  I had to lie on my back with various stages of pillow proppage but I could never get completely comfortable.  I also had a lot of pain with one of my incision sites so I think that prolonged the time it took for me to get back on my stomach.  Although it was annoying at this point I barely remember it and a month of sleeping uncomfortably on my back was a small price to pay for how amazing I feel now!

It was difficult, but I wouldn't worry about it.  Just sleep however it's comfortable for you.  I slept on my back instead of my side because sleeping on my side was painful.  If you drift over to your side during the night, it probably means your body is ready to start sleeping like that again.

I had this problem after surgery and then again later when I had my feeding tube for 6 months - and the best sleeping aid I had was my recliner.  It was the next best thing to sleeping on my side.  I got a neck pillow to prop my head up and had some very good nights of sleep.

AAGGGH - this was my least favorite part about my surgery.  And I had gallbladder surgery on Friday, and I have this problem AGAIN! I can't sleep on my stomach or my side.  It's killing me. So I'm sleeping on the couch, with a "fortress" of pillows around me so I don't accidentally turn over! I remember this ending after about 3 weeks after my WLS, but I'm hoping I can get back in my bed sooner after this gallbladder surgery........this is killing me! I just don't fall asleep well unless I'm on my stomach. Anyway, just wanted to say "I know how you feel" - hoping you get some restful sleep!!

i totally had the same question, i just kept forgetting to ask! glad you did!! : )

When I had my surgery they told me that I could sleep how ever I felt comfortable.  After the second day of my surgery I saw dying to get off my back!!  I had a nurse pack me with pillows and an ice bag and I got a sold 5 hours of sleep on my side it was heaven!!  When I came home I was told not to sleep in a recliner because they were going to increase my chances of getting blood clots, so i spent about 10 days when i first came home sleeping on my sofa and i kind of laid there half on my back half on my side.  I think the most important thing is to do what is most comfortable for you when you come home.

You're overthinking. You'll be fine.  I kind of did a 1/2 on my side, 1/2 on my back in the hospital.  I put pillows behind me to kind of tilt me over, so that seemed on my side.  As long as you're comfortable, you've got nothing to worry about.