Question:
I'm 5 days post op and wonder about sleeping on my side...
when was about the normal time everyone was able to sleep on their side again, I have lower back problems and sleeping in the reclyner is killing my tailbone and I'm only getting about 4-5 solid hours of sleep. thank you — Carrie B. (posted on December 17, 2001)
December 17, 2001
I slept on my side in the hospital - I never slept in my recliner, it just
isn't comfortable for me. Other suggest it becuase it is better for
_them_. Do what feels good for you! (However, at this point, 4-5 hours of
solid sleep is pretty good! Just take naps till you are stronger)
— M. A. B.
December 17, 2001
I am 5 days post op too, I had a LAP, the 1st nite in the hospital was
awful!!!! The 2nd nite the nurse said I could sleep on my side, it feels
very weird at first, but I got alo more sleep and now that I'm home, I
sleep on both side, what helps me, is a pillow kinda under my stomach for
support/comfort, it is VERY comfy when I change sides which takes a while (
do it slowly!) I move the pillow to the other side. Hope this works for
you Sat.And Sun. I slept
like a baby!!!
— Cindee A.
December 17, 2001
I dont understand how but my wife has been sleeping on her belly and side
from the first day home after lap surgery a week ago today. She even rolled
on her side the morning after surgery. Sleep however you feel comfortable,
your body will let you know if its too bad my hurting a lot. Thats what my
surgeon told me.
— bob-haller
December 17, 2001
Hi, I slept on my side with pillows behind my back when I was still in the
hospital. I had on a binder but in order to sleep on my back I would have
had to have major drugs in me! I always sleep on my side now too....8 wks
postop. The only problem I have ever had is turning over is slow. I would
be very careful if I had little children or a pet in my bed. My hubby is
very good about not kicking me in his sleep or throwing his arm over me.
We have a king size bed so that really makes it comfortable for us both.
One of the greatest rewards for him is the quiet from my side since I no
longer have sleep apnea or snore. Now, if I could figure out a way to have
him quit snoring, it would be like the Night Before Christmas poem.....not
a creature was stirring, etc. etc. lol! Happy Holidays!
— Marilyn C.
December 17, 2001
I had open rny and rolled over on my side the day of surgery. The nurses
told my husband it was okay. I put a pillow under my belly. I didn't have
hardly any back problems or pain and I really feel it's because I didn't
force myself to sleep on my back. I never used a recliner either, I slept
in my own bed, on my side.
Take care.
— Becky K.
December 17, 2001
I also tried sleeping on my back, in my reclining sofa, after I got home. I
have never been a back sleeper. It also made me very achey and I didnt get
any sleep at all. I woke up exhausted every day. After the first two nights
home, I decided to get into my own bed, but, NOT WITHOUT my binder. It
helped me tremendously when I needed to turn over, and get up in the
morning. It also helped that I have a very warm waterbed. It was kind of
like laying on a huge heating pad. LOL Just take it slow, your abdominal
muscles are very sore right now and trying to heal. Wear your binder
whenever youre up.
— Kerry P.
December 17, 2001
I started sleeping on my side the last night in the hospital. I was so
achy from being in the recliner. It took me a while to get into bed and
get situated....propping with a pillow here and there. I also had a throw
blanket which worked very good. Once I was on the my side, I was able to
ball the blanket up and put it in various places. Once situated, I had my
husband pull the covers up. Only thing was, in the middle of the night,
when I wanted to turn over....I was on my own. But it was good. I slept
like a baby. Oh, by the way, my husband says that since my surgery, I
haven't snored once.
— Dianne K.
December 17, 2001
I was sleeping on my side while still in the hospital. I have never been
able to sleep on my back. Way too uncomfortable. Just do what is
comfortable for you!! Good Luck!!
— skymaxjr
December 17, 2001
I had an open rny and began sleeping on my side the second night. Sleeping
on my stomach hurt because of the staples, but as soon as they were out
after one week, I slept on my stomach. If it hurt (which sometimes it did),
I simply slept on my other side.
— [Anonymous]
December 17, 2001
i had open and sleep on my side the same night the dr and staff were amazed
but i do have a very high pain tolerance
— melissa W.
December 17, 2001
I tried to sleep on my side while still in the hospital, but it was just
too painful for me. At home, I slept in my recliner for the first couple
of nights. That was very uncomfortable. Then I tried my sofa one night.
That lasted for about 4 hours. The next day I went and bought a bed wedge
and from that night on I slept in my bed, but I still could not sleep on my
side until about week 4 post-op. I use a small travel pillow to sort of
support my tummy and I change positions very slowly, because as everything
inside resettles as you turn it is somewhat uncomfortable for a minute of
two. I also wore my binder up thru week 4. I had open RNY. Looks like it
is different for everyone and you will just have to try it until it is
comfortable for you.
— Susan M.
December 17, 2001
I'm a month post-op and I've slept on my side for the last two weeks. The
last week I've been trying to get in some stomach sleeping also to try and
get used to it. If you lay just right it could be comfortable for a few
hours at a time. I have a sleep comfort bed and it helps alot to be able to
adjust the firmness. Your body will let you know when somethings not
working. Happy Holidays!!!
— Juanita B.
December 17, 2001
I had surgery on a Wednesday and was released from the hospital on Sunday.
That night I slept on my side. I put a pillow next to me and when I rolled
onto my side my stomach was half way on the pillow and it felt fine.
— blank first name B.
December 19, 2001
I too have a terrible back, I had an open rny in August and I turned on my
side in the recovery room and thats the way I slept from then on. At a week
out I also turned on my stomach to take short naps. My back still rules
what I do.
I'm on social security due to my bad back.
Do what you need to do to get comfortable, my back has always been worse
than anything, it was definately worse than the open rny.
Really laying on your side makes it easier to get out of bed. Lay down
facing the side of the bed, to get up push your legs over the side and then
using your arms, get up on your elbow and push with the other arm to sit up
while using your legs as a fulcrum. good luck.
— Helen B.
Click Here to Return