Laying Flat

[Mandy_VSG 30]

Hey fellow Bariatric babes and dudes!!!

I am 1 week post op and still need to sleep in the recliner, as one 2 of my incisions are still unbearable when laying flat. Did any of you experience this? I feel like everyone went right to sleeping in a bed.

TIA for any answers!

[SomeBigGuy 108]

Congrats on the surgery!

I was sleeping in the recliner for 3 weeks, and was 5 weeks out before I was comfortable lying completely flat. I'm at 10 weeks now, but I'm still using some pillows to prop myself up in the bed, I guess I got used to being propped up, but I am able to sleep flat without discomfort.

[Mandy_VSG 30]

On 01/31/2024 at 09:54, SomeBigGuy said:

Congrats on the surgery!

I was sleeping in the recliner for 3 weeks, and was 5 weeks out before I was comfortable lying completely flat. I'm at 10 weeks now, but I'm still using some pillows to prop myself up in the bed, I guess I got used to being propped up, but I am able to sleep flat without discomfort.

Thank you so much for responding. Congratulations to you as well. I feel so much better and less alone after your response. I have just soreness now…until I lay down and see stars. It’s so nice to not be the only one 🖤

[The Greater Fool 1,971]

I had an open RNY so they idea of laying down flat was laughable... if laughing didn't hurt so much. Once the staples and drain were removed after about 3 weeks I was able to start entertaining the idea of laying flat. I entertained the idea for about another 2 weeks when I finally gave it a go. Another week and I was laying down in just about any position I put my mind to, though I didn't put my mind to it over much. By six weeks I was pretty much able to position myself in just about any way.

I was a rather large fellow, so there was more of me putting pressure on tender spots than for the average bear. I didn't see any reason to push myself, it's not like I was in a race or such.

Good luck,

Tek

[Mandy_VSG 30]

On 01/31/2024 at 15:51, The Greater Fool said:

I had an open RNY so they idea of laying down flat was laughable... if laughing didn't hurt so much. Once the staples and drain were removed after about 3 weeks I was able to start entertaining the idea of laying flat. I entertained the idea for about another 2 weeks when I finally gave it a go. Another week and I was laying down in just about any position I put my mind to, though I didn't put my mind to it over much. By six weeks I was pretty much able to position myself in just about any way.

I was a rather large fellow, so there was more of me putting pressure on tender spots than for the average bear. I didn't see any reason to push myself, it's not like I was in a race or such.

Good luck,

Tek

The RNY certainly sounds tough, but I’m glad you made it to the other side of it. I’m just glad to know I’m not the only one who is struggling with this. Comparison is the thief of joy as they say. I’m glad brighter days ahead.

[summerseeker 1,870]

6 hours ago, Mandy_VSG said:

The RNY certainly sounds tough, but I’m glad you made it to the other side of it. I’m just glad to know I’m not the only one who is struggling with this. Comparison is the thief of joy as they say. I’m glad brighter days ahead.

I have never heard that quotation before. Comparison is the thief of joy. So very true

[The Greater Fool 1,971]

6 hours ago, Mandy_VSG said:

The RNY certainly sounds tough, but I’m glad you made it to the other side of it. I’m just glad to know I’m not the only one who is struggling with this. Comparison is the thief of joy as they say. I’m glad brighter days ahead.

It wasn't the RNY that was tough, it was the "open" aspect that was. Open surgery means they made a long incision from my sternum to just above my belly button. It gave the surgeons a clear view of what they were doing. I found out that I was used as a teaching tool, there were 3 extra surgeons looking on. It took them 35 staples to close me up. 35 staples from hell.

"Comparison is the thief of joy" is now mine. Sorry folks, you'll be seeing it a lot.

Good luck,

Tek

[Mandy_VSG 30]

On 02/01/2024 at 06:33, The Greater Fool said:

It wasn't the RNY that was tough, it was the "open" aspect that was. Open surgery means they made a long incision from my sternum to just above my belly button. It gave the surgeons a clear view of what they were doing. I found out that I was used as a teaching tool, there were 3 extra surgeons looking on. It took them 35 staples to close me up. 35 staples from hell.

"Comparison is the thief of joy" is now mine. Sorry folks, you'll be seeing it a lot.

Good luck,

Tek

That sounds horrible! But good on you for pushing through!

Also, I’m very glad everyone likes that quote. A teacher my Sophomore year said it and I’ve been sticking to it in life every time I get stuck in my own head. It’s so true! No one’s journey is the same at all.

[BabySpoons 540]

I had the 2 incisions that hurt for a couple weeks, and I was so afraid of ripping something if I wasn't positioned right. My surgeon seemed miffed when I asked about it. He said there's no way his stitches were going to come loose. "I didn't use cheap common thread," he said. Seriously?? LOL

After that I just took my pain meds, slept on my side with a huge body pillow which I hugged tightly for support and quit worrying about it.

Wishing you a speedy recovery!