I've seen on here that many people recommend sleeping in a recliner after surgery- why is that? Did anyone not sleep in a recliner after?

I slept in a recliner for about 3 nights because getting up strained my incisions and hurt, even with a splint. I could lay flat and be comfortable for a while.. but getting up from a recliner was just much easier than getting up from a bed for those first few days. The pain wasn't horrible, it was just.. why do it if you have a less painful option, ya know? I'm also a side/stomach sleeper and it took almost a full week before laying on my tummy felt ok.. sleeping on my back in the bed just wasn't that great for me anyway. Actually, I think I would've been happier sleeping in the recliner until I could have slept in my preferred position in the bed. I don't have a recliner at home though and was staying at my mom's house, which.. well, that's pretty much the reason why I only did 3 nights.

Everybody is different though, so you might be perfectly fine skipping the recliner altogether! You won't know till after your surgery how things are gonna go.. some people are just more comfortable at home in their own beds, which is totally understandable. Lots of pillows to prop up on would probably help a lot.

Edited June 10, 201412 yr by momohime

I slept flat on my bed from night one. I could sleep on my back or either side. I couldn't sleep on my tummy for about 2 weeks because of the bloaty feeling. Sure, my abdominal muscles were a little sore, but I never had any mobility issues. And my bed is a low, sloshy waterbed with 2 dogs and 2 cats acting as obstacles.

I don't sleep in a recliner but sure spend time in one! I've found it helps my intake stay put. I'm only at day 6, but upright after any meals really helps. I am a side sleeper. I have had to switch sides and that's oddly uncomfortable. But I was super lucky and my doctor gave me Ambien.

Also, try putting a step stool by the bed. That helps me get in and out without hurting.

I slept in my bed once I got home, found it easier then my recliner. I did however prop my head up.

I never had to sleep in a recliner. I have a tempurpedic bed where the head and feet can be raised. I didn't have to raise the head that much though to be comfortable and it definitely wasn't in the same position as a recliner. I am a side sleeper and slept on my back the first few nights. Until the incisions weren't so tender anymore. Then I resumed to my side sleeping.

I had to sleep on my back the first day after surgery. For the next couple of days I could sleep on my back and left side. My big whole was on the right side. I think you can make it without a recliner. The pain is not that bad. Try getting your shoulder rebuilt. Now that hurts.

I spent most days resting in the recliner but would sleep flat in the bed. It was easier getting up and down from the recliner during the day. Once I was in bed for the night I was okay, but even with splinting, it hurt like h#ll to get up out of bed.

It can be uncomfortable stretching flat. I didn't sleep on a flat bed for a week.

I don't have a recliner but I've had pillows propping me up. I'm 6 days post-op and can just now comfortably sleep on my left side (my big incision is also on the right). I'm a stomach sleeper so I can't wait till I get to the point to where I can sleep normally again.

I'm 5 days out and still sleeping in my.recliner mainly because I toss and turn badly when I sleep, and pain medicine gives me bad dreams so I'm nervous about landing on my drain or something wrong. Once the drain is out I.will probably go back to my.bed