So ...more questions..I was told no lifting, no bending over etc. However, now that i'm back to sleep in my regular bed- I worry that I am putting too much stress on the site simply by raising myself up after lying down..I am not sure how to protect myself? and am I protecting myself simply of pain? or can the incisions come open?

Try pressing a pillow against your stomach as you raise and lower yourself to take some of the strain on your abdomen.

I also needed to roll on my side and then do most of the sitting up by pushing up with my arms. When you do it right you can feel a lot less "pull" on the incisions and in your stomach.

Try pressing a pillow against your stomach as you raise and lower yourself to take some of the strain on your stomach.

LOL! When I had (other) abdominal surgery years ago, my sister gave me a big, soft teddy bear that I held to the incision site. Yeah, a 45 year old with a new teddy bear!