Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Sleeping on stomach after sleeve surgery?



Recommended Posts

I am a die-hard stomach sleeper, and never sleep on my back or side. I know that it will probably be impossible to stomach sleep for a while after surgery, but I'm just wondering what others' experience has been? I bought a wedge pillow to try and making sleeping on my back a bit more comfortable than laying totally flat. But, I'm really hopeful that I won't need it for long, and I will be able to return to my favorite sleep position asap. This is actually one of the things I'm most worried about regarding my upcoming surgery. Thank you for any input!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am a die-hard stomach sleeper, and never sleep on my back or side. I know that it will probably be impossible to stomach sleep for a while after surgery, but I'm just wondering what others' experience has been? I bought a wedge pillow to try and making sleeping on my back a bit more comfortable than laying totally flat. But, I'm really hopeful that I won't need it for long, and I will be able to return to my favorite sleep position asap. This is actually one of the things I'm most worried about regarding my upcoming surgery. Thank you for any input!
I am also a stomach sleeper just had surgery July 25 and its hard. Believe me I was very sore even trying to lay on my side was a no way ,but it's getting better I am able to sleep a bit on my side now but it I stay for a period of time it get sore. A few time I went to the family room and just slept on the recliner. Also what I did just for sleep time I took my pain meds so that really helped as well. Good luck.

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

For me it was three or four days sleeping on my side post surgery before I ended up back on my stomach.

If you feel pain laying on your stomach, give yourself permission to sleep on your back or side until you're ready to sleep on your stomach again.

Good luck! You are not alone.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Some people find it difficult to sleep for the first week after surgery. They find sleeping on a recliner to be beneficial.

In my case I am a little unique. I have been sleeping on a waterbed for over 40 years. And right after surgery, the definition of sharp pain is trying to get up out of a Water bed and onto your feet. Every incision produces shot of pain when stressed.

Now the main problem that I had after surgery with sleeping occurred months after surgery. The fat around my knee joints disappeared and when I slept on my side, I could fell my bones in my knees rubbing together and that was very unnerving. The solution was to stick a pillow between my legs when I slept on my side at night.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It took me a while to return to stomach sleeping but I also had my gallbladder removed at the same time as my sleeve. I think it was around 3 weeks post op? Not too bad but when your stomach is your favorite sleep position it feels like forever!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am a side and stomach sleeper. I asked the nurses at the hospital if I was allowed to sleep on my side or stomach at home. They told me to lay however was comfortable. I wanted to lay on my side so bad when I got home but it took 3 days to get there. I found that laying a pillow under my gut to support it helped make me more comfy. I am two weeks out today and can lay on my stomach without it hurting.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I currently sleeping on my couch. My bed is too soft right now for me to get comfortable. I’m a side/stomach sleeper so during the night I end up turning to the side but as long as I prop a pillow under me I’m good.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for asking this question! I miss sleeping on my stomach!!

I've never been able to sleep on my back, ever, and that's been messing with my sleep post-surgery. The pain medicine helped me sleep the first few nights, but for a few days now I've really struggled to fall asleep and STAY asleep. I've started trying to be on my side here and there, but it hasn't been totally comfortable yet. I will try out propping myself up with a pillow and see how that works!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×