Getting home after surgery..

famouslastwords · March 14, 2007

When you get home after surgery, what do you do? Do you try to sleep, or would it be painful to sleep?

faithmd · March 14, 2007

In reading through some of the threads, most people have said they have gone to sleep, though many have said it is difficult to sleep on your side or stomach. Some can sleep on the side that does not have the port. Many have said they slept in a recliner for a few days, though others could not stand to be upright.

I hope that you get many more responses, I'm interested to see what more folks say.

magnolia · March 14, 2007

i slept for about 5 hours yesterday, because I go almost no sleep in the hospital. My roomate had complications and they were in and out all night checking on her. then I had a hard time falling asleep last night. I might take a nap now. I am just bored..headachy..not in the mood to watch tv..read a little, went out for a walk. Cleaned out a cabinet.(which i shold not have done)..just tired now and a little wachy from the pain pill:)

mags

Davyna · March 14, 2007

I slept for a while but I also did some slow walking around the house. I could not sleep all the way through the nite the first few nites because the pain med would wear off.

Hazelbunny · March 14, 2007

I had my surgery on Monday and all I wanted to do when I got home was sleep. I had my DH precrush two "servings" of pain meds before I went to sleep at night so when the pain woke me up all I had to do was mix it with applesauce and be done with it - I couldn't get liquid pain meds because of many painkiller allergies.

I made sure I walked around the house regularly but I didn't have any troubl sleeping - as long as I was on my back. sleeping on my stomach or side is not possible yet.

jbtullis · March 14, 2007

I had my surgery 2 weeks ago, and when I got home we just watched TV and sort of napped. That night though we went out to dinner. I had some green tea and like two bites of some Soup.. but I was up for the conversation and such.

That night I had to take a dose of the pain meds they gave me, hydrocodone. Had a little trouble sleeping that night. However, after that I was pretty good. I felt a bit tired but I was at the mall, muesem with my dad, whatever.

ChrissyB · March 14, 2007

I didn't get much sleep in the hospital so I slept for several hours after I got home. I also haven't had much trouble sleeping on my side or stomach, less than a week since surgery. I guess everyone is different.

5jacks · March 14, 2007

Above all, rest when you need to and take it easy. This is the time for your body to heal, give it time to do it! I have a hard time coming out of the anesthetic (sp?) so napped at hospital most of the day of surgery. Slept through most of the night and was ready to go home first thing....like 5:00 a.m!! We have an hour drive to get home from hospital, got home, settled in the recliner and waited for my baby boys to come home from school, o.k., one is 11 and twin 7 year olds so not exactly babies?!?!!! Was up all evening, slept decent that night and napped almost every day the first week. I found out on about the 4th day post op that I wasn't getting enough protein/calories and that was what was making me so tired. Started getting the proper nutrients and haven't had a nap since. Good luck!

Denise · March 15, 2007

When you get home after surgery, what do you do? Do you try to sleep, or would it be painful to sleep?

You need to sleep--and when you are not sleeping try to walk. The more you can do both the faster you can heal. Plus you will have gas pains--from the CO2 that they pump into your body for the laproscopy surgery--and to help with this you need to walk. Take Care!

sgrennan · March 15, 2007

I had my band 8 days ago,and did not have to stay overnight at the hospital. I went home and sat in my recliner, had my mom and hubby rub my left shoulder lots. I went for a walk outside about once very 2 hours for about ten mins. Walking outside seems to keep you from getting cabin fever, sunshine does you good too. I had the heating pad on my lower back while i was sitting and a hot shoulder wrap on my shoulders. Im still not able to sleep in my bed ,just in the good old recliner.Hope you feel great soon, im feeling really good. I had my 1 week checkup today ive lost 11 lbs.,and all my booboos look good.

stacy