Question:
How soon after surgery can I sleep on my side?

I know each person's healing capabilities are different, but wondering what the average time is before you can sleep on your side. I seems to pull on my incision right now (I'm 5 days post-op..still a thrill to say 'post-op'). Tried last night for awhile but couldn't get comfortable enough to go into a really deep sleep.    — Lacy G. (posted on November 5, 2000)

November 5, 2000
Dear Lacey, It took me about 2 weeks before I could sleep on my side. Now I am almost 4 weeks post-op and I can sleep on my side and half on my stomach with a pillow. I have always slept on my stomach and side and to sleep on my back for 2 weeks or a little longer was really hard for me. But, you'll make it. Good luck :o)
   — PNethery

November 5, 2000
Dear Lacey, It took me about 2 weeks before I could sleep on my side. Now I am almost 4 weeks post-op and I can sleep on my side and half on my stomach with a pillow. I have always slept on my stomach and side and to sleep on my back for 2 weeks or a little longer was really hard for me. But, you'll make it. Good luck :o)
   — PNethery

November 5, 2000
I slept on my side as soon as I got home from the hospital. I had to tuck a small airline pillow under my belly roll but that was all. Good luck.
   — Jill C.

November 5, 2000
Dear Lacy, I bought an extra long pillow at WalMart and used it to lean up against when I got home from the hospital. I sleep on my left side and so the pillow went lengthwise down the left side of my body and supported my stomach. I could sleep comfortably that way. Now that I am 9 weeks post op and down 58 pounds, I don't need to use it anymore and I can pretty comfortably sleep on my stomach. --Libby
   — Libby B.