Question for side sleepers

[jetsfan]

So I am a major side sleeper and they told me after my surgery to at first sleep on my back. I started propped up on a ton of pillows and have slowly been removing them so I can lay flat on my back. However, I still hate sleeping on my back.

So my question is: How long after surgery did you go back to sleeping on your side?

[angelamarie]

Just in the last couple of weeks. I am still trying to sleep on my back (I don't want face wrinkles) but I don't love it. I slept in the recliner after surgery and that was the only way for me. My bed was too hard to get in and out of. But now that I have less "cushion" I can kinda feel my ribs so I might still try to change to sleeping on my back. I found having a pillow under my knees in my bed really helped while sleeping on my back. I didn't need it in the recliner. Good luck!

[Teemo]

I am 7 days post opt..........I sleep on my side,back and even woke up once on my belly............

[StephO]

I was a big side and stomach sleeper before. I, too, slept in a recliner for a couple weeks. When I did move to the bed, I was on my back, probably for another week to two weeks. When I first started sleeping on my side, I would put a pillow next to me, and kind of turn onto it so my stomach was "propped up" if you will. Helped with the pulling feeling. I don't need anything now, and haven't for a good month.

[brianamato]

I was not told anything about sleeping on my side is harmfull.... Maybe the doc saw somthing and needed it corrected - I would ask him or her about it

[Belinda416]

I was told to sleep on my side, I'm also a side sleeper so this was good for me. I'm not sure why they would want you on your back. FYI I had problems sleeping for the first two weeks, after that i slept normal. Hope this helps, get some rest. Belinda

[drisner]

First day I was home from the hospital, I slept on the recliner. After that it was in bed, on my side. You just have to be really careful getting on your side and when switching sides. StephO's suggestion of using a pillow to hold up one's belly area is a great one.

[Trustin Sleever]

I could sleep on my left side 4 days after surgery.
I could sleep on my right side 14 days after surgery.

[leah]

I slept on my side the first night out of the hospital. I can't sleep on my back. I had a large pillow that I put between my legs and hugged it. Ya it hurt to move...but I had no choice. Everything turned out good. No complications.

[angelamarie]

The first time I slept on my side was on the couch. I woke up and felt like I had pulled a muscle and it was sore for a few weeks, so I went back to sleeping on my back for a while. It was like my belly weight had pulled my big incision. The doctor never told me to sleep any particular way, I just knew I wouldn't be able to sleep on my side or stomach because I wasn't able to after my lap band.

[sarahjayne823]

I have always been a side sleeper -- so, first night home from the hospital, I slept on my side. Either side, didn't matter. No problems so far.

[coleinn]

It took me exactly 3 weeks to be able to sleep on my side.

[vodka1969]

7 days post op and sleeping on my side. I started on my back and it was killing me. work with pillows on both sides of you and have one push you more to the less uncomfortable side. I have been lucky and have no pain. so it may have been a bit easier for me. but you feel yourself and know you comfort level and just take slowly. a friend was also on her side by day 5. so try it. good luck

[LMS]

Night 3 I was on my left side and by day 10 I could do right side BUT I had a pillow under my stomach and a pillow between my legs to keep my hips level (Or 1 king pillow that did both). I then had another pillow against my back so while on my side I was sorta propped on that back pillow. Also I used the liquid RX for pain at night only from night 3 to night 8.

Another HUGE help the first few days was the abdomial binder that was a HUGE help at night and when I went back to work on day 4 for getting in and out of truck.

[TEACHn96]

I too am a major side sleeper, and as soon as I was home from the hospital, I was sleeping on my right side. Most of my incisions were on the left, so that made it easier. I could sleep sort of on the right side/back with a pillow to prop me up a bit, but it wasn't as comfortable!