Sleeping post-op

[nicolemm 24]

I was banded on 12/12 and have been having trouble sleeping. When I lay in bed I am ending up flat even though I start propped up on pillows and when I wake up it feel like my stomach is in my throat. Is this just because of the swelling? Last night I moved onto the recliner and that really helped but right now things are very uncomfortable

[NaNcyNiCoLe 94]

I'm in the same shape you are in. I'm going to go for a walk in Walmart today to see if I can push some of this air through. I've been reading and generally the majority of the post save the air stays with for 5 days. Good Luck sister if I find some thing that helps I will let you know and please do the same for me

[nicolemm 24]

Will do! When I moved onto the recliner last night the heating pad was a lifesaver! I kept it on my lower stomach and it really did give me relief.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Ugh yes, that's very normal. It's awful, I won't lie.

This will sound crazy I'm sure, but I actually found sleeping on my stomach helped. I'm a tummy sleeper anyway and the pressure on my tummy really felt great and eased the pain.

The trick is (and I learned this from a nurse after a c-section), not to try to roll onto your tummy. That will pull and hurt. Literally (carefully) crawl up the bed on your hands and knees and gently lower yourself onto the spot you want. When you want to get back up, do not roll, Again, bring your arms and legs under you and gently push up onto all fours again and ease yourself off the edge of the bed onto your feet.

For me, this was a huge lifesaver and I've done it after every abdominal surgery since then.

[CHEZNOEL 4,061]

I too could sleep on my tummy from the beginning. Although as mis73 says... it is somewhat awkward at first to get there! I wish you luck. Worst case if the recliner works use it, or start in bed and if you roll and wake yourself, move to the recliner. Best wishes. Fortunately this stage does not last too long for most people. I hope yours passes quickly!

[Summerrain 520]

I was banded on 12/12 and have been having trouble sleeping. When I lay in bed I am ending up flat even though I start propped up on pillows and when I wake up it feel like my stomach is in my throat. Is this just because of the swelling? Last night I moved onto the recliner and that really helped but right now things are very uncomfortable

I remember that stage well, I found it more comfy sitting in an upright position the first few days. My hubby would help me get into bed and put a million pillows behind me to help me stay upright. By about the third night I'd wake up on my tummy so I started to put pillows under my side for support which helped me to not completely roll onto my tummy as I'm a tummy sleeper. It does get better especially once the swelling goes down even if it feels like it won't at this stage.

[FLORIDAYS 3,040]

Just remember it takes about 2 weeks to feel like yourself again... Although it gets better after about day 5!

[Lyoness82 21]

I wish I would have known about the tummy sleeping, every time I tried to roll it hurt so bad, so for weeks I slept on my back and I have always been a side or tummy sleeper. I still sometimes wake up and it feels like my band is in my throat. My band is also much tighter in the morning. It just take time. Good luc.