Sleeping position

I know this is a silly question but.....

Is it safe for me to sleep on my side? I don't sleep well on my back and as it gets easier to roll over I want to sleep on my side but I'm afraid of ripping internal stitches or creating adhesions.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by nancyi I know this is a silly question but..... Is it safe for me to sleep on my side? I don't sleep well on my back and as it gets easier to roll over I want to sleep on my side but I'm afraid of ripping internal stitches or creating adhesions.

I had a TAH/BSO the day before yours and sleep from back to side like before quite comfortably. I think for the first few days I stayed on my back, but once I got home I was able to go back to my old sleeping patterns fairly quickly. I keep a couple pillows under my knees when I'm on my back that helps flatten out my back as I've had a lot of low back pain since the surgery, and then I move them to in between my knees when I'm on my side - a trick I learned when I was pregnant that takes pressure off the hips and keeps them in a neutral position. We also have one of those Tempur-Pedic pads that my husband put on the mattress before I got home, and it's like floating on a cloud! We actually had it before we got new mattresses a few months back; he tried to throw it out but I rescued it thinking we might need it again some day - good thinking! I've even ended up on my stomach a few times, staples and all - I wouldn't recommend that, but sometimes we can't help what we do when we're asleep! I've also heard the long body pillows are really nice for extra side support, but I can't imagine having one of those with DH right next to me. Unless your doctor gives you a specific reason why you shouldn't or if it's uncomfortable for you, I don't see why you couldn't. Try it out and see.

I still cannot sleep on my side. I tried last night and was in tears. I have been sleeping in my recliner for the most part. I used to sleep on my stomach and I guess it will be a long time before I can sleep well again.

I am a side sleeper too, and the first week I slept on the couch to keep me from tossing and turning too much as I am a restless sleeper to say the least but I couldnt get any real good sleep at night. So Wed night I ventured upstairs to sleep in my bed and it was great. Last night was even better, only woke up twice, second time was a bathroom call. I am more concerned about the stairs causing damage than the sleeping.

I started sleeping on my side little by little. I prefer that position, so as soon as I could twist myself onto my side ,, I did !!! No one ever told me not to , so ........

Take Care and good luck
Danette

I had a TAH on April 7 and have only just started sleeping on my side (as of 2 nights ago) I use a down pillow to give me a little support and that has helped a lot. Before, I propped myself up with several pillows and a pillow under my knees. I still woke up many times during the night ( I'm glad we have a TV in the bedroom). I think you will find that as you recover, it will get better and better.

Hi!

They let me sleep on my side in the castle & I have been sleeping this way occasionally at home. I use several down pillows ( they are easier to mold to how you want them) and two of them are king sized pillows so they are long. I lay them next to each other "longways" & ease myself down sideways while pressing another smaller pillow into my tummy--I leave it there because it helps support my tummy. A pillow between your legs is helpful too initially but I have done away with that one now. Hope this helps!

Also at first I used a lot of pillows & slept kind of semi-upright & sideways--hope you follow thaT! It was easier to get up & down the first week home this way because I was not flat on the bed.

Good luck & happy sleeping!

tum-e-trouble

I am in the same position as you. I just can't get comfortable enough to sleep well. My DH bought a bed wedge and it helped the first couple of days but I can't stand being on my back! Last night I tried sleeping on my side against some pillows but got scared because it felt like things were pulling inside. I think I am going to move to the recliner tonight.

Just wanted to let you know you aren't the only one missing sleep.

Fallflower

I asked in hospital and they said i could sleep on my side. They showed me how to roll without twisting, that can cause damage. I often sleep on my tummy and was delighted when one morning I woke up and had done it in my sleep a couple or so weeks post op! I worried so much about doing something wrong while asleep!!

Sleeping was the worst for me the first two weeks! I am normally a side-sleeper too!

I had to make a little pillow pocket with a pillow on top for my head, two lengthwise pillows under me and two(stacked) at the end under my thighs, after awhile I could sleep on my side with two pillows between my legs, even now I wake up very sore if I lose my leg pillows!

Keep experimenting to find what works for you!
Betts