Greetings,

Post-op people - what was sleeping/resting/moving around like in your immediate post op time (first two weeks)?

I have read some people couldn’t lay down for a bit and other similar issues.

what was your experience?

It took almost a month before i could actually lay in my bed. I slept in a recliner. a Cane was also very helpful in getting up out of the recliner but having someone to help you up will be best because it can be very difficult for a while. i am now about 3 and a half months post op and have no issues sleeping in any position.

Edited July 31, 20224 yr by liveaboard15

I had really bad reflux so I had to sleep almost in a sitting position for about a month. I really wished that I had retained a recliner chair. I had very little pain or pulling with my incisions and managed to get in and out of bed without problem

I didn't have problems with actual sleeping - but getting in and out of bed could be challenging, and also, it was about three weeks before I could sleep on my side (my preferred position).

3 hours ago, summerseeker said:

I had really bad reflux so I had to sleep almost in a sitting position for about a month. I really wished that I had retained a recliner chair. I had very little pain or pulling with my incisions and managed to get in and out of bed without problem

Yes my reflux was so bad the first couple weeks. It would be extremely painful if i laid down. my chest would be on fire.

I'm twelve days post op and I slept in my bed from the first night that I came home. I'm usually a side sleeper, so for the first six or so nights I slept on my back with pillows propping me up. To get out of bed, the physical therapist at my hospital taught me the log roll technique. So I had no issues. It also helps to have an abdominal binder on when you get out of bed or out of a chair in the beginning, and it helps with walking. I wore mine for the first week and then removed it for good.

I slept (propped up with pillows) on my back for the first four nights because I had a JP drain and I couldn’t sleep any other way. A recliner was more comfortable those first couple of nights. After that I’m right back to sleeping on my back and side (I move around a lot at night) and my sleep is the same quality as it was before surgery.

I had very little pain post op but my muscles did feel like I had done like 1000 sit ups or crunches. I was thankful I have an adjustable bed and I just slept with the head elevated. This just made it easier to get up and down. A bed wedge would have accomplished the same thing though if you don’t have or can’t get comfortable in a recliner. They have them at medical supply and Amazon.

Edited August 1, 20224 yr by ShoppGirl

I didn't have any pain post operatively and was able to sleep in my own bed. I did sleep on my back and used two pillows with a third one slanted to keep me propped up. I think the uncomfortable part was getting in and out of bed; we have a rather high bed so adding a footstool helped.

On 7/31/2022 at 8:05 AM, catwoman7 said:

I didn't have problems with actual sleeping - but getting in and out of bed could be challenging, and also, it was about three weeks before I could sleep on my side (my preferred position).

Ditto to what catwoman7 said. I bought a recliner in case I couldnt sleep in bed. I was in the recliner approximately 2 days and slept horribly. I decided I would try my bed and I did much better. I moved a bit gingerly within that first week but I experienced no issues after 1 week and slept like a baby literally lol

I didn't have too much of a tough time sleeping post-op. I am a side-sleeper, and I was able to sleep as usual with some pillows to keep me propped up. The first night home was a little bit uncomfortable, but the nights thereafter were much better. As someone else mentioned, the log-roll to get in and out of bed is a life-saver on your muscles post op.