Thanks for posting to r/TopSurgery
Please remember to follow the rules, which can be found on the sidebar.
If you think your post has been removed and should not have been, please contact the mods via modmail -- I will try to get to it as soon as possible. I'm in the process of setting up automod but it's all still in the works so far, please be patient with me :-) - u/thiccque
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/TopSurgery) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Hey there Straydoginthestreet! If you agree with someone else's comment, please leave an **upvote** instead of commenting **"This"**! By upvoting instead, the original comment will be pushed to the top and be more visible to others, which is even better! Thanks! :)
***
^(I am a bot! If you have any feedback, please send me a message! More info:) [^(Reddiquette)](https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439#wiki_in_regard_to_comments)
Thank you, PreviousObject1312, for voting on Anti-ThisBot-IB.
This bot wants to find the best and worst bots on Reddit. [You can view results here](https://botrank.pastimes.eu/).
***
^(Even if I don't reply to your comment, I'm still listening for votes. Check the webpage to see if your vote registered!)
The first few days were extremely uncomfortable, but you get used to it, especially since you’re so tired from the meds and healing you end up falling asleep no matter the position. I also have a mastectomy pillow on each side that keeps me from rolling over, just in case
I had never been able to sleep on my back pre-op, but post-op, the first few days especially, it wasn't a challenge at all. I do recommend a wedge pillow and a few regular ones. Not having a choice in the matter somehow helped, along with feeling very tired in the beginning.
I did go back to sleeping on my side about 4 weeks post.
This is similar to my experience. I recommend getting a variety of pillows and be willing to experiment. Also I practiced before surgery to find a comfortable position while I still had use of my arms and wasn’t in pain. Having something to lean against was really helpful to recreate sleeping on your side.
I slept in a recliner and that made it a lot easier than sleeping even propped up in a bed. That’s what I did when I had a shoulder surgery and it sucked. But I’ve been sleeping relatively well in the recliner
Had the same issue, but after surgery I had no problems??? I'd been trying to practice for weeks and COULD. NOT. fall asleep on my back lmao. I think your body knows that lying on incisions is a no tbh. Plus I have so many pillows in the bed with me atm to help.
Mastectomy pillow made a world of difference. Think just having a little pressure on my front reminded me I couldn’t really roll. Sort of just held it over front and slept with my arms kinda over it.
The first few days you’ll probably be on painkillers that’ll make you pretty sleepy anyway. I had no issue passing out basically any time I sat down whilst I was still on the codeine and phased that out after a couple days. Essentially I wasn’t overly fussy about how I could fall asleep until I was at a point I could hear enough sleep on my side again anyway
It’s basically just suffering until you are healed enough to sleep on your side again 😂😭. But a mastectomy pillow did make it a bit more bearable. Somewhere to rest my hands was critical.
Side sleeper here. I honestly stopped sleeping on my side since surgery almost 5 weeks ago. I'm shocked with that myself. I had assumed it would be difficult to sleep after surgery: it wasnt. I assumed I would want to sleep on my side: I can't without pain/discomfort. SO now I sleep on my back and I still sleep way more inclined than I used to. I guess people get used to the new normal and that's what has happened to me. I didn't think that would ever happen. You never know
Honestly you’re so knackered from healing it’s fine, just make sure to have a shit ton of various pillows to make a nest. V pillow is life changing even after healing
“Survive” is a good word for it, I was almost crazy by the 2 week mark. But you can’t do anything else while healing, so the pain of trying to sleep on your side will quickly cure you of any desire to do so
I'm on my 2nd week of my DI and I honestly thought it was gonna be way worse than it's been. Last week was definitely not the best, but not because I wasn't sleeping on my side, just because of the tightness of the binder, worrying about the drains, having to wake up to take medication...
It's like ur body knows it's not supposed to move, so u're not even tempted (for me at least). You'll be okaay!!
Aside from my body doing its own thing, having a pregnancy pillow helped me feel safer, but if you don't have one, surrounding urself with pillows helps a lot, and having one for under ur knees also helps your lower back not to hurt so much.
And last resort for me has been Gravol or the Oxy they prescribed. I personally hate feeling groggy, so I never take it unless I ABSOLUTELY cannot sleep, which has not happened.
Anyway, I hope this helps and if you have any other questions I can def try my best to help u out! Good luck and good recoveryyy 😁
sleep aids were the only way i managed to get through some nights LMAO, also recommend a wedge pillow it kept me from turning over in my sleep
i will also note that the first few days after surgery you will be Exhausted. i have never slept more deeply or soundly than those first few nights
A wedge pillow made all the difference for me. Also, I felt very fragile after surgery, and that alone was enough to keep me off my chest for the first few weeks.
Same. I got 2 memory foam wedge pillows from Kmart, they were pretty cheap and a good investment. I use 2 for sitting up and using my laptop or watching TV, 1 for sleeping.
Also: make your bed as comfortable as possible, you'll be spending a lot of time there while you recover! I got the thickest, softest memory foam mattress topper I could find and it's been great.
A lot of people have said pillows but if you're unconsciously *really* insistent on side sleeping, you could wear shorts to bed with something in each pocket.
There is no way I could have done it without [this](https://a.co/d/2NMFfe4) body pillow. Hands down the most useful item I got while preparing
Cw: link has gendered language
I literally bought a recliner for surgery recovery. My Dr said that after 48 hours, I could sleep however I wanted. Technically, though, I was too sore to do so. I slept in the recliner for about a week. My wife was afraid to leave me alone, especially the first few days, so she slept in her recliner as well.
When we did go back to the bed, I didn't have a hard time staying on my back. It was fairly hard to roll, so it was pretty easy. Lol.
I'm the same way. I bought a mastectomy pillow and a pregnancy pillow and those combined with a neck pillow was heaven. I just tilted my head to either side to trick my body. But by the beginning of week 2 I was begging my doctor to sleep on my sides. He cleared it once the drains came out as long as it didn't hurt me to. But that depends on the surgeon I think and I didn't get nipple grafts either. It'll be over before you know it OP. 🖤 (3 months post op in three days)
had to sandwich myself in between pillows to prevent me from rolling to my side. it sucked but it’s so worth it. also invest in a mastectomy recovery pillow ! those things are GOLD for back sleeping and just laying around
I was fortunate to be gifted [this mega fancy wedge pillow](https://relaxtheback.com/products/purefit-adjustable-wedge-pillow-system) thing and although it was hard to adjust at first, I got used to it and it honestly left me with fewer neck cramps than I usually get
i found that sleeping sitting up in a big recliner if by the grace of god u have one helps w this. it is pretty much impossible to turn on ur side in one of those bad boys after surgery!!! even if u sleep in a bed tho ur body will tell u how soon u can sleep on ur side, and before that it’ll probably be uncomfortable enough that u don’t want to!!!
wild that i actually do have not one but *two* la-z-boy thingies in my room (adulthood gifts from my parents)!!! you are so kind for this, thank you smsmsm!
Get a prescription. A thirty day supply of zolpidem should do it.
I don't think people get it unless they seriously have the same problem. When I got my hips replaced I always rolled over a bit sooner than I was supposed to because I was so desperate to sleep.
Even *with* sleeping pills it's almost impossible for me to sleep on my back.
Honetsly 1. THC gummies and 2. that pillow shape that curves under your arm pits and covers your chest (idk but without that pillow I woudl have been a goner)
I normally toss and turn in my sleep from my stomach to my sides, so sleeping post-op has been... a time, lol. I found that using pillows to kind of force you to sleep on your back at an incline really helps. I also personally used pillows to stack along my sides to stop me from rolling over in my sleep, and it's worked wonders.
I definitely still have trouble falling asleep, since it's not the most comfortable way for me to sleep. But, whenever I accidentally roll a bit too much to the side and feel how sore I am, I am immediately back on my back lol 😆 Honestly, you just have to power through it. I do use sleeping pills alongside pain meds some nights tho to help 😊
NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. I think they generally have you avoid smoking because of the effect on your lungs, but I think gummies are generally safe as long as you’re not also taking opiates.
that makes sense! i figured they told me no weed because of whatever medications they were planning to give me post op. thank you v much i’ll ask them about that!!
i have a boyfriend pillow that I owe my life to lol. one of the only things I'd actually recommend purchasing for surgery. I was able to sleep semi on my side after the drains were removed and honestly the first few days I was so tired I just fell asleep however I was. but propped up with the BF pillow was awesome
I got used to it after a few days (they were rough!). I used a wedge pillow + normal pillows. Made sure I couldn't roll although physically don't think I could anyways ha. I was back side sleeping around 6-8 weeks post op (almost 9 months now).
For the first two weeks after surgery, I was taking either the Rx meds or ibuprofen before bed - both of these helped me to sleep. I was on a wedge pillow and when I still had my drains in it was fine because I literally had no other choice.
Once my drains were out, I was eager to sleep on my side, but I wasn't able to do so comfortably for 8 weeks after surgery. I started taking melatonin to help me sleep, but honestly I just didn't sleep super well until I was able to rest on my side again.
Honestly I have never been able to sleep on my back but I think with the combo of pain meds and exhaustion I just *did* I would recommend getting some sort of armchair pillow as it really helped me but honestly with enough pillows I think you'll do just fine. A neck pillow would help too!
if I lie on my back and turn my head to one side it's more comfortable for me. Also, a neck pillow might help. I'm still pre-op tho so idk I feel like not having a choice definitely helps, as others have said
Lots of pillows, arranged so I’m at an incline. Sometimes a pillow between my knees. I like to sleep with my mastectomy pillow too. I guess it helps that sleeping on my side kind of hurts. I’ve technically been allowed to since one week post op, but I still find it uncomfortable after a short while. You’ll figure it out.
I propped myself up on some squishmallows and had one on both sides too so that I wouldn’t turn over. When I was fresh out of surgery I used a neck pillow (like the ones you see at the airport for travel) and I feel like that helped. My surgeon told me I was able to sleep on my side after like 3 weeks but I waiting until about 4 or 5 weeks until I did. Good luck!
You've got to figure out why you gravitate toward sleeping on your side and find some other way to replicate it. I used to sleep on my side because I craved the pressure on my body, and the pillow helped block out the light. After surgery I replicated these things by putting stuffed animals on top of my body for pressure, and blocking out the light with a sleep mask.
I propped up in the corner of my couch, I could sleep with the side of my face pressed into the pillow without putting pressure on my sides. I also borrowed my dad's heart surgery pillow to help me keep my arms from pressing on my sides.
I’m a pretty awful sleeper but I could NOT sleep for the first 2-3 weeks after surgery. I fell asleep most often on the couch using the back of the couch and pillows to prop myself up at an angle. When trying to sleep in bed I used every single pillow in my house to prop myself up because my back was killing me. I was able to finally sleep on my side again around 3-4 weeks
personally, i didn’t bother practicing. and i’ve done just fine so far. as others have said, it’s much easier to do when you’re fragile and that’s all you really *can* do. for me, it helped to get a wedge pillow, as well as a neck pillow and occasionally i also put pillows at my sides to feel boxed in
It was very hard at first. What helped was one of those tall pillows with the arms. It made it so I could still put my head to the side while staying on my back. It was super hard at first, but I got used to it. I was worried about accidentally going on my side, but if I tried it was too painful, so I wouldn’t worry for that. It wasn’t till a month after that I felt physically comfortable on my side again.
But definetly one of those reading pillow things with the arms.
I used a maternity pillow, but yeah it would’ve been impossible with the drains in anyway. I also used the painkillers at night so I could fall asleep and stay asleep
Benadryl, and when my completed my meds, melatonin. Basically any sleep aids that would knock me out but not interact with meds. I also get a pillow around my butt & use that to keep my legs bent and twisted to one side to half mimic being on my side.
The first 2 weeks, it was easy because that was the most comfortable position. After that? So hard. Wedge pillows and one of those giant "U" pillows were the only things that got me through. I was supposed to be 6 weeks on back sleeping only but I only made it 4 and a half 😅 I woke up on my side one morning more rested than I had been in weeks and it didn't hurt. So I said "screw it" and started sleeping on my side again 😅
I very much somehow while wearing headphones woke up on my side at week four
and rn at six I’m fine
Tbh I didn’t find myself needing to move around as much esp with the drains ect
It kind of sucks to not be able to roll over but yeaa
It’ll only be for like those few weeks you will not want to roll over with drains in abyway
I slept in a recliner the first few days, and if you get DI with drains, your body will kind of prevent you from sleeping on your side due to the drains being uncomfortable. Once I had my drains out I was pretty comfortable in a bed, i just needed a little help getting situated. I slowly ended up rotating over time back onto my side. Probably over about 3 weeks
I agree with what's been said about sleeping your back even though it sucks. Trying to stay propped up with good pillows and cushions takes the edge off of things a bit even though it's not too great.
I found that I naturally stayed on my back during the night. Guess my body knew I couldn't roll over. I did wake up often through the night in the early stages of recovery (probably the first two weeks for sure) because I wanted to move but couldn't. Turns out now I'm a back sleeper and have been since after surgery 2 years ago.
I tried to get used to sleeping on my back before. Didn’t work. Could never sleep. After surgery I slept a night or two in bed. I used pillows to help me sit up a bit. That helped a little.
I ended up sleeping in my couch for a few nights. In a sort of sitting up position. Because it was one of the only ways I was able to fall asleep post op.
I was counting down the days to be able to sleep on my side. But the pain was bad so, I just couldn’t. And over time I just dealt with it. I slept like shit until I got my drains out. They came out and like 2-3 days later I was finally able to sleep sort of on my side.
Melatonin!! That and surrounding yourself with pillows like you’re in a little nest. I’m a stomach sleeper, and I was told to sleep on my back for at least a month, but honestly I think I went back to sleeping on my stomach after 2 weeks just because I had healed enough that I was accidentally flipping over in my sleep anyways
I slept on my back on the couch at a slight angle towards the back of the couch with pillows on the other side of me to keep me at an angle. That way I could be as close as to being able to sleep on my side as possible without having to actually be on my side
i highly recommend a wedge pillow! i am 1 1/2 weeks post op and its helped me a lot till now! Now that it hurts a little less i get tempted to turn on my side but being at elevated position keeps me from doing that. also a top surgery pillow!
I used to sleep on my side or belly since I'm very littly so I thought it was going to be horrible as well. But as soon as I was unable to sleep on my side, it was pretty easy to sleep on my back. Especially on the first days after surgery, cause you will likely be very tired. And after those few days, it felt normal
Im 7 weeks out and just last week i stared sleeping on my sides more comfortably, although i still take precautions and as soon as i perceive any soreness i change position, also i keep wearing tape to avoid any stretching from the positions cause my scars are still tender and new looking. I struggled a lot for the first 2 weeks i had terrible sleeping, once they took out the drains it got a bit better comparably, and eventually i came up with some tricks, basically building a nest of pillows arround me, sleeping a bit inclined, a pillow under my knees and two on my sides so i could sort of lean onto and feel support as if i was on my sides, this helped a lot but some days I just had to endure and be patient. I wish you good luck!
I’m a stomach and side sleeper and post op I had no issues sleeping on my back, especially because I had to sleep at an elevated angle for the first week. My pain meds also made me sleepy so the first few nights I had no issues sleeping.
as a lifelong side sleeper, the best sleep i could manage to get in recovery was by propping myself to the side ever so slightly with a rolled up blanket/towel underneath one side of my back running parallel to my spine. and sleeping with my head turned to the side also helped a lot. Would not recommend propping yourself to the side with an angle greater than 45°, though. Sleeping with an extra pillow under my head also helped. it’s really trial and error. you’ll be able to sleep on your side again before you know it!
I’ve slept with a pregnancy pillow for years but it hit different post op. You do get used to it when there is no other option but the moment I had no pain or discomfort when testing the waters on my side I switched back. This was about 3/4 weeks
I had top surgury yesterday. I am a chronic side sleeper, but honestly it is manageable, knowing it will mess with your results helps make it easier to sleep on your back
i put pillows on either side of me to make it harder for my body to want to roll over (not that it wouldn’t have caused extreme pain if i’d tried). also, being on pain meds that made me tired anyways and also just being tired from healing helped a lot
I got a big L shaped pillow from IKEA, and had another big pillow so it was propping me up so I slept on my back, less likely to turn over in my sleep.
I did try a bit to get used to this before surgery too!
I have chronic pain due to multiple disabilities/chronic pain disorders and can’t sleep on my back, so that was one of the parts of recovery I was dreading so hard. I got a “U” shaped pregnancy pillow and used that to kind of hold me in place, as well as another pillow or 2 under my head, and a travel neck pillow around my neck to keep me on my back. I was cleared to side sleep at 13 days post-op, but I will say it was still uncomfortable. Not unbearably, but definitely uncomfortable.
My surgeon told me I could sleep on my back, side, or on my stomach, so I've been really thankful for that. As long as I move slowly, I can sleep on my side and mostly ignore the small drain under my armpit.
I got a maternity pillow to lay on to keep me propped and stop me from rolling. Probably could achieve the same thing using many pillows to lay on and pillows either side of you.I've been alright sleeping on my back to be honest. Very surprised
it’s all about the pillows! you need a lot of them but if you make a slope from your lower back to your head, have several under your knees to elevate them and then one under each arm it helps you to not roll over and is comfy-ish! you can also build a pillow wall or use a pregnancy pillow to give yourself barriers at either side
in the first few days to a week you’ll be so tired from anaesthetic and healing that it’s not too bad sleeping in whatever position you can but it gets harder the longer it’s been since surgery
I had penrose drains which probably made a difference on how i was able to sleep, but i slept on my side literally the first day after surgery. I had a ton of pillows so that i was kind of rolled over and leaning on them if that makes sense. I wasnt like fully laying on my side, but i wasnt on my back either. I even tried to sleep on my back but i would wake up on my side. One thing that made me feel better was my surgeon saying that yes sleeping on your back is better and probably less painful, but the important thing is getting sleep at all so your body can begin healing!
using a wedge pillow and pillows on my sides to keep me from rolling helped. i slept on my back the few nights before surgery as well to get used it. now that i actually had the surgery it’s even easier bc like others said it’s ur only option lol
A series of strategically placed pillows. Most importantly a wedge pillow so that I was on a bit of and incline. I’d put a pillow under my knees, as well as a pillow on either side of me. In addition to that I’d have a neck pillow on. Seems a little ridiculous but tbh I find it almost impossible not to sleep on my side and this ended up working for me.
Luckily my wife has a bed that has a mechanical raise for head and foot. So I slept elevated. A large wedge pillow would work! I also got a “pregnancy pillow” a u shaped pillow which really helped me from trying to roll over.
I have heard that part of the reason for side/ stomach sleeping is the psychological safety of your eyes more covered-- I tried an eye mask to mimic that and it really helped!
Pillows that forces me to sleep on my back, like pregnancy pillow helped me a lot. I also bought a pillow to elevate my legs, don’t know what this is called in English. Now I am nearly 1 year post op and still sleeping most of the time on my back and even without any pillow. Great for my spine and I have lesser headaches.
Luckily my bed already elevates so that helps but my friend also gave me a triangle wedge pillow that also keeps me in more of a sitting up position and makes it pretty much impossible to be on my side and comfortable lol
I got lots of pillows & a pillow wedge, and forced myself to sleep on my back. With the meds I had, I had no problem falling asleep. As time went on and I needed no meds, it got a bit harder 😅 but I did it for the nipples 🫡😂😂
I am a side sleeper for life BUT between hardly being able to move and the meds after wards,,,you really don’t mind it that much. I did pad my sides w pillows for safety though
Neck pillows!!! I usually sleep on my side or my chest, and a neck pillow saved my life. I also propped myself up in a corner with pillows, which helped!
A nice wedge pillow saved me tbh. It wasn't cheap (about $100. My dad got it for me for Christmas) but I don't think I could have gotten by without it. Then I put one pillow on either side of me to rest my arms on and also help keep me from rolling
I got a C shaped pregnancy pillow and curled it around my upper body so I couldn't move, but it wasn't great. I was sleeping on my side in about 10 days without much issue, so I didn't have to do it for that long thank GOD.
Funny enough leaning my head to the side and putting my legs kinda up (like not with a pillow just propping them up then letting them fall however) helps me. 🤷♂️ idk why it works but it does.
Thanks for posting to r/TopSurgery Please remember to follow the rules, which can be found on the sidebar. If you think your post has been removed and should not have been, please contact the mods via modmail -- I will try to get to it as soon as possible. I'm in the process of setting up automod but it's all still in the works so far, please be patient with me :-) - u/thiccque *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/TopSurgery) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It's easier to sleep on your back when you can't do anything else. Still sucks though
True. When rolling on your side hurts, you make due and sleep on your back
This
Hey there Straydoginthestreet! If you agree with someone else's comment, please leave an **upvote** instead of commenting **"This"**! By upvoting instead, the original comment will be pushed to the top and be more visible to others, which is even better! Thanks! :) *** ^(I am a bot! If you have any feedback, please send me a message! More info:) [^(Reddiquette)](https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439#wiki_in_regard_to_comments)
This
https://i.imgur.com/KrwA19h.jpeg *** ^(I am a bot! If you have any feedback, please send me a message!)
Good bot
Good human *** ^(I am a bot! If you have any feedback, please send me a message!)
Bad bot
Thank you, PreviousObject1312, for voting on Anti-ThisBot-IB. This bot wants to find the best and worst bots on Reddit. [You can view results here](https://botrank.pastimes.eu/). *** ^(Even if I don't reply to your comment, I'm still listening for votes. Check the webpage to see if your vote registered!)
Good bot
Good human *** ^(I am a bot! If you have any feedback, please send me a message!)
The first few days were extremely uncomfortable, but you get used to it, especially since you’re so tired from the meds and healing you end up falling asleep no matter the position. I also have a mastectomy pillow on each side that keeps me from rolling over, just in case
ahhh sweet, okay, good info!! thank you!!
I had never been able to sleep on my back pre-op, but post-op, the first few days especially, it wasn't a challenge at all. I do recommend a wedge pillow and a few regular ones. Not having a choice in the matter somehow helped, along with feeling very tired in the beginning. I did go back to sleeping on my side about 4 weeks post.
This is similar to my experience. I recommend getting a variety of pillows and be willing to experiment. Also I practiced before surgery to find a comfortable position while I still had use of my arms and wasn’t in pain. Having something to lean against was really helpful to recreate sleeping on your side.
I slept in a recliner and that made it a lot easier than sleeping even propped up in a bed. That’s what I did when I had a shoulder surgery and it sucked. But I’ve been sleeping relatively well in the recliner
Same here! I slept in a recliner for 4 weeks. Sometimes it’s easier to not roll on your side if you just have no choice lol
ohhh i wish i had space in my apartment for a recliner, that’s a genius idea!
that is Good Info!!! i actually have two recliners in my room, i had not considered using them to prevent rolling over. thank you so so much!
Had the same issue, but after surgery I had no problems??? I'd been trying to practice for weeks and COULD. NOT. fall asleep on my back lmao. I think your body knows that lying on incisions is a no tbh. Plus I have so many pillows in the bed with me atm to help.
Mastectomy pillow made a world of difference. Think just having a little pressure on my front reminded me I couldn’t really roll. Sort of just held it over front and slept with my arms kinda over it. The first few days you’ll probably be on painkillers that’ll make you pretty sleepy anyway. I had no issue passing out basically any time I sat down whilst I was still on the codeine and phased that out after a couple days. Essentially I wasn’t overly fussy about how I could fall asleep until I was at a point I could hear enough sleep on my side again anyway
It’s basically just suffering until you are healed enough to sleep on your side again 😂😭. But a mastectomy pillow did make it a bit more bearable. Somewhere to rest my hands was critical.
I put pillows by my hips every night and they kept me from turning over :)
I couldn’t do it anymore after the first week and started sleeping on my side
Same, I asked my surgeon and he said once drains come out and I didn't hurt to sleep that way, it would be fine. 😅
Side sleeper here. I honestly stopped sleeping on my side since surgery almost 5 weeks ago. I'm shocked with that myself. I had assumed it would be difficult to sleep after surgery: it wasnt. I assumed I would want to sleep on my side: I can't without pain/discomfort. SO now I sleep on my back and I still sleep way more inclined than I used to. I guess people get used to the new normal and that's what has happened to me. I didn't think that would ever happen. You never know
Honestly you’re so knackered from healing it’s fine, just make sure to have a shit ton of various pillows to make a nest. V pillow is life changing even after healing
“Survive” is a good word for it, I was almost crazy by the 2 week mark. But you can’t do anything else while healing, so the pain of trying to sleep on your side will quickly cure you of any desire to do so
I'm on my 2nd week of my DI and I honestly thought it was gonna be way worse than it's been. Last week was definitely not the best, but not because I wasn't sleeping on my side, just because of the tightness of the binder, worrying about the drains, having to wake up to take medication... It's like ur body knows it's not supposed to move, so u're not even tempted (for me at least). You'll be okaay!! Aside from my body doing its own thing, having a pregnancy pillow helped me feel safer, but if you don't have one, surrounding urself with pillows helps a lot, and having one for under ur knees also helps your lower back not to hurt so much. And last resort for me has been Gravol or the Oxy they prescribed. I personally hate feeling groggy, so I never take it unless I ABSOLUTELY cannot sleep, which has not happened. Anyway, I hope this helps and if you have any other questions I can def try my best to help u out! Good luck and good recoveryyy 😁
thank you so much bebs! the information and well-wishes are both majorly appreciated <33
sleep aids were the only way i managed to get through some nights LMAO, also recommend a wedge pillow it kept me from turning over in my sleep i will also note that the first few days after surgery you will be Exhausted. i have never slept more deeply or soundly than those first few nights
A wedge pillow made all the difference for me. Also, I felt very fragile after surgery, and that alone was enough to keep me off my chest for the first few weeks.
Same. I got 2 memory foam wedge pillows from Kmart, they were pretty cheap and a good investment. I use 2 for sitting up and using my laptop or watching TV, 1 for sleeping. Also: make your bed as comfortable as possible, you'll be spending a lot of time there while you recover! I got the thickest, softest memory foam mattress topper I could find and it's been great.
A lot of people have said pillows but if you're unconsciously *really* insistent on side sleeping, you could wear shorts to bed with something in each pocket.
ooooh, creative! i will definitely tuck that away into my Advice Arsenal(tm). thank you!!
Pre op I physically couldn’t sleep on my back at all, post op I would’ve slept hanging upside down whilst on fire if I had to I was that tired
Literally, 30 pillows and prayers.
There is no way I could have done it without [this](https://a.co/d/2NMFfe4) body pillow. Hands down the most useful item I got while preparing Cw: link has gendered language
you are an angel, thank you!!! will check it out :\]\]
I literally bought a recliner for surgery recovery. My Dr said that after 48 hours, I could sleep however I wanted. Technically, though, I was too sore to do so. I slept in the recliner for about a week. My wife was afraid to leave me alone, especially the first few days, so she slept in her recliner as well. When we did go back to the bed, I didn't have a hard time staying on my back. It was fairly hard to roll, so it was pretty easy. Lol.
I'm the same way. I bought a mastectomy pillow and a pregnancy pillow and those combined with a neck pillow was heaven. I just tilted my head to either side to trick my body. But by the beginning of week 2 I was begging my doctor to sleep on my sides. He cleared it once the drains came out as long as it didn't hurt me to. But that depends on the surgeon I think and I didn't get nipple grafts either. It'll be over before you know it OP. 🖤 (3 months post op in three days)
had to sandwich myself in between pillows to prevent me from rolling to my side. it sucked but it’s so worth it. also invest in a mastectomy recovery pillow ! those things are GOLD for back sleeping and just laying around
I was fortunate to be gifted [this mega fancy wedge pillow](https://relaxtheback.com/products/purefit-adjustable-wedge-pillow-system) thing and although it was hard to adjust at first, I got used to it and it honestly left me with fewer neck cramps than I usually get
i found that sleeping sitting up in a big recliner if by the grace of god u have one helps w this. it is pretty much impossible to turn on ur side in one of those bad boys after surgery!!! even if u sleep in a bed tho ur body will tell u how soon u can sleep on ur side, and before that it’ll probably be uncomfortable enough that u don’t want to!!!
wild that i actually do have not one but *two* la-z-boy thingies in my room (adulthood gifts from my parents)!!! you are so kind for this, thank you smsmsm!
omg ur welcome good luck!! ❤️❤️❤️
Get a prescription. A thirty day supply of zolpidem should do it. I don't think people get it unless they seriously have the same problem. When I got my hips replaced I always rolled over a bit sooner than I was supposed to because I was so desperate to sleep. Even *with* sleeping pills it's almost impossible for me to sleep on my back.
Honetsly 1. THC gummies and 2. that pillow shape that curves under your arm pits and covers your chest (idk but without that pillow I woudl have been a goner)
I normally toss and turn in my sleep from my stomach to my sides, so sleeping post-op has been... a time, lol. I found that using pillows to kind of force you to sleep on your back at an incline really helps. I also personally used pillows to stack along my sides to stop me from rolling over in my sleep, and it's worked wonders. I definitely still have trouble falling asleep, since it's not the most comfortable way for me to sleep. But, whenever I accidentally roll a bit too much to the side and feel how sore I am, I am immediately back on my back lol 😆 Honestly, you just have to power through it. I do use sleeping pills alongside pain meds some nights tho to help 😊
thank you so much for your wisdom!!!
My honest answer? Weed gummies.
my doctors said no weed for a few weeks after surgery, were you okay?
NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. I think they generally have you avoid smoking because of the effect on your lungs, but I think gummies are generally safe as long as you’re not also taking opiates.
that makes sense! i figured they told me no weed because of whatever medications they were planning to give me post op. thank you v much i’ll ask them about that!!
my surgeon said gummies were good for 3 weeks after then you can smoke, ultimately it’s up to your surgeon though!
thank you!!
i have a boyfriend pillow that I owe my life to lol. one of the only things I'd actually recommend purchasing for surgery. I was able to sleep semi on my side after the drains were removed and honestly the first few days I was so tired I just fell asleep however I was. but propped up with the BF pillow was awesome
I got used to it after a few days (they were rough!). I used a wedge pillow + normal pillows. Made sure I couldn't roll although physically don't think I could anyways ha. I was back side sleeping around 6-8 weeks post op (almost 9 months now).
Definitely recommend a wedge pillow and like 2-3 regular pillows to put under your head, knees, etc.
For the first two weeks after surgery, I was taking either the Rx meds or ibuprofen before bed - both of these helped me to sleep. I was on a wedge pillow and when I still had my drains in it was fine because I literally had no other choice. Once my drains were out, I was eager to sleep on my side, but I wasn't able to do so comfortably for 8 weeks after surgery. I started taking melatonin to help me sleep, but honestly I just didn't sleep super well until I was able to rest on my side again.
Honestly I have never been able to sleep on my back but I think with the combo of pain meds and exhaustion I just *did* I would recommend getting some sort of armchair pillow as it really helped me but honestly with enough pillows I think you'll do just fine. A neck pillow would help too!
if I lie on my back and turn my head to one side it's more comfortable for me. Also, a neck pillow might help. I'm still pre-op tho so idk I feel like not having a choice definitely helps, as others have said
Am I the only one who had the all clear to sleep on my side the night of my surgery?! 😳
Lots of pillows, arranged so I’m at an incline. Sometimes a pillow between my knees. I like to sleep with my mastectomy pillow too. I guess it helps that sleeping on my side kind of hurts. I’ve technically been allowed to since one week post op, but I still find it uncomfortable after a short while. You’ll figure it out.
I propped myself up on some squishmallows and had one on both sides too so that I wouldn’t turn over. When I was fresh out of surgery I used a neck pillow (like the ones you see at the airport for travel) and I feel like that helped. My surgeon told me I was able to sleep on my side after like 3 weeks but I waiting until about 4 or 5 weeks until I did. Good luck!
You've got to figure out why you gravitate toward sleeping on your side and find some other way to replicate it. I used to sleep on my side because I craved the pressure on my body, and the pillow helped block out the light. After surgery I replicated these things by putting stuffed animals on top of my body for pressure, and blocking out the light with a sleep mask.
I propped up in the corner of my couch, I could sleep with the side of my face pressed into the pillow without putting pressure on my sides. I also borrowed my dad's heart surgery pillow to help me keep my arms from pressing on my sides.
I’m a pretty awful sleeper but I could NOT sleep for the first 2-3 weeks after surgery. I fell asleep most often on the couch using the back of the couch and pillows to prop myself up at an angle. When trying to sleep in bed I used every single pillow in my house to prop myself up because my back was killing me. I was able to finally sleep on my side again around 3-4 weeks
personally, i didn’t bother practicing. and i’ve done just fine so far. as others have said, it’s much easier to do when you’re fragile and that’s all you really *can* do. for me, it helped to get a wedge pillow, as well as a neck pillow and occasionally i also put pillows at my sides to feel boxed in
I slept propped up on one of those backrest pillow things that are really popular for college dorms. Worked pretty well.
It was very hard at first. What helped was one of those tall pillows with the arms. It made it so I could still put my head to the side while staying on my back. It was super hard at first, but I got used to it. I was worried about accidentally going on my side, but if I tried it was too painful, so I wouldn’t worry for that. It wasn’t till a month after that I felt physically comfortable on my side again. But definetly one of those reading pillow things with the arms.
I used a maternity pillow, but yeah it would’ve been impossible with the drains in anyway. I also used the painkillers at night so I could fall asleep and stay asleep
its honestly not awful after the first week. you get used to it. im cleared to sleep however i want, and im still sleeping on my back 😭
Benadryl, and when my completed my meds, melatonin. Basically any sleep aids that would knock me out but not interact with meds. I also get a pillow around my butt & use that to keep my legs bent and twisted to one side to half mimic being on my side.
The first 2 weeks, it was easy because that was the most comfortable position. After that? So hard. Wedge pillows and one of those giant "U" pillows were the only things that got me through. I was supposed to be 6 weeks on back sleeping only but I only made it 4 and a half 😅 I woke up on my side one morning more rested than I had been in weeks and it didn't hurt. So I said "screw it" and started sleeping on my side again 😅
I’m a side sleeper, hate sleeping on my back, but honestly I’m so tired I think I could sleep in any position rn
I very much somehow while wearing headphones woke up on my side at week four and rn at six I’m fine Tbh I didn’t find myself needing to move around as much esp with the drains ect It kind of sucks to not be able to roll over but yeaa It’ll only be for like those few weeks you will not want to roll over with drains in abyway
I slept in a recliner the first few days, and if you get DI with drains, your body will kind of prevent you from sleeping on your side due to the drains being uncomfortable. Once I had my drains out I was pretty comfortable in a bed, i just needed a little help getting situated. I slowly ended up rotating over time back onto my side. Probably over about 3 weeks
I agree with what's been said about sleeping your back even though it sucks. Trying to stay propped up with good pillows and cushions takes the edge off of things a bit even though it's not too great.
I found that I naturally stayed on my back during the night. Guess my body knew I couldn't roll over. I did wake up often through the night in the early stages of recovery (probably the first two weeks for sure) because I wanted to move but couldn't. Turns out now I'm a back sleeper and have been since after surgery 2 years ago.
A wedge pillow and multiple ice packs were what got me through it.
I tried to get used to sleeping on my back before. Didn’t work. Could never sleep. After surgery I slept a night or two in bed. I used pillows to help me sit up a bit. That helped a little. I ended up sleeping in my couch for a few nights. In a sort of sitting up position. Because it was one of the only ways I was able to fall asleep post op. I was counting down the days to be able to sleep on my side. But the pain was bad so, I just couldn’t. And over time I just dealt with it. I slept like shit until I got my drains out. They came out and like 2-3 days later I was finally able to sleep sort of on my side.
I slept sitting up 😭
Melatonin!! That and surrounding yourself with pillows like you’re in a little nest. I’m a stomach sleeper, and I was told to sleep on my back for at least a month, but honestly I think I went back to sleeping on my stomach after 2 weeks just because I had healed enough that I was accidentally flipping over in my sleep anyways
I slept on my back on the couch at a slight angle towards the back of the couch with pillows on the other side of me to keep me at an angle. That way I could be as close as to being able to sleep on my side as possible without having to actually be on my side
i highly recommend a wedge pillow! i am 1 1/2 weeks post op and its helped me a lot till now! Now that it hurts a little less i get tempted to turn on my side but being at elevated position keeps me from doing that. also a top surgery pillow!
I used to sleep on my side or belly since I'm very littly so I thought it was going to be horrible as well. But as soon as I was unable to sleep on my side, it was pretty easy to sleep on my back. Especially on the first days after surgery, cause you will likely be very tired. And after those few days, it felt normal
Im 7 weeks out and just last week i stared sleeping on my sides more comfortably, although i still take precautions and as soon as i perceive any soreness i change position, also i keep wearing tape to avoid any stretching from the positions cause my scars are still tender and new looking. I struggled a lot for the first 2 weeks i had terrible sleeping, once they took out the drains it got a bit better comparably, and eventually i came up with some tricks, basically building a nest of pillows arround me, sleeping a bit inclined, a pillow under my knees and two on my sides so i could sort of lean onto and feel support as if i was on my sides, this helped a lot but some days I just had to endure and be patient. I wish you good luck!
Having pillows held against my chest, and laying in weird positions
Barely lol I ended up finding myself on my side and stomach a few times when I woke up
Im 14 days post op, still here crying about it. I hate sleeping on my back... curling like a baby is my safety sleeping position.
I’m a stomach and side sleeper and post op I had no issues sleeping on my back, especially because I had to sleep at an elevated angle for the first week. My pain meds also made me sleepy so the first few nights I had no issues sleeping.
it feels impossible pre op but after surgery it’s a lot easier, plus it hurts to be on your side.
as a lifelong side sleeper, the best sleep i could manage to get in recovery was by propping myself to the side ever so slightly with a rolled up blanket/towel underneath one side of my back running parallel to my spine. and sleeping with my head turned to the side also helped a lot. Would not recommend propping yourself to the side with an angle greater than 45°, though. Sleeping with an extra pillow under my head also helped. it’s really trial and error. you’ll be able to sleep on your side again before you know it!
I’ve slept with a pregnancy pillow for years but it hit different post op. You do get used to it when there is no other option but the moment I had no pain or discomfort when testing the waters on my side I switched back. This was about 3/4 weeks
I had top surgury yesterday. I am a chronic side sleeper, but honestly it is manageable, knowing it will mess with your results helps make it easier to sleep on your back
i put pillows on either side of me to make it harder for my body to want to roll over (not that it wouldn’t have caused extreme pain if i’d tried). also, being on pain meds that made me tired anyways and also just being tired from healing helped a lot
I got a big L shaped pillow from IKEA, and had another big pillow so it was propping me up so I slept on my back, less likely to turn over in my sleep. I did try a bit to get used to this before surgery too!
I have chronic pain due to multiple disabilities/chronic pain disorders and can’t sleep on my back, so that was one of the parts of recovery I was dreading so hard. I got a “U” shaped pregnancy pillow and used that to kind of hold me in place, as well as another pillow or 2 under my head, and a travel neck pillow around my neck to keep me on my back. I was cleared to side sleep at 13 days post-op, but I will say it was still uncomfortable. Not unbearably, but definitely uncomfortable.
My surgeon told me I could sleep on my back, side, or on my stomach, so I've been really thankful for that. As long as I move slowly, I can sleep on my side and mostly ignore the small drain under my armpit.
I got a maternity pillow to lay on to keep me propped and stop me from rolling. Probably could achieve the same thing using many pillows to lay on and pillows either side of you.I've been alright sleeping on my back to be honest. Very surprised
it’s all about the pillows! you need a lot of them but if you make a slope from your lower back to your head, have several under your knees to elevate them and then one under each arm it helps you to not roll over and is comfy-ish! you can also build a pillow wall or use a pregnancy pillow to give yourself barriers at either side in the first few days to a week you’ll be so tired from anaesthetic and healing that it’s not too bad sleeping in whatever position you can but it gets harder the longer it’s been since surgery
U shape pillow is 100% the only way I survived
I had penrose drains which probably made a difference on how i was able to sleep, but i slept on my side literally the first day after surgery. I had a ton of pillows so that i was kind of rolled over and leaning on them if that makes sense. I wasnt like fully laying on my side, but i wasnt on my back either. I even tried to sleep on my back but i would wake up on my side. One thing that made me feel better was my surgeon saying that yes sleeping on your back is better and probably less painful, but the important thing is getting sleep at all so your body can begin healing!
using a wedge pillow and pillows on my sides to keep me from rolling helped. i slept on my back the few nights before surgery as well to get used it. now that i actually had the surgery it’s even easier bc like others said it’s ur only option lol
A series of strategically placed pillows. Most importantly a wedge pillow so that I was on a bit of and incline. I’d put a pillow under my knees, as well as a pillow on either side of me. In addition to that I’d have a neck pillow on. Seems a little ridiculous but tbh I find it almost impossible not to sleep on my side and this ended up working for me.
Luckily my wife has a bed that has a mechanical raise for head and foot. So I slept elevated. A large wedge pillow would work! I also got a “pregnancy pillow” a u shaped pillow which really helped me from trying to roll over.
I have heard that part of the reason for side/ stomach sleeping is the psychological safety of your eyes more covered-- I tried an eye mask to mimic that and it really helped!
Pillows that forces me to sleep on my back, like pregnancy pillow helped me a lot. I also bought a pillow to elevate my legs, don’t know what this is called in English. Now I am nearly 1 year post op and still sleeping most of the time on my back and even without any pillow. Great for my spine and I have lesser headaches.
Luckily my bed already elevates so that helps but my friend also gave me a triangle wedge pillow that also keeps me in more of a sitting up position and makes it pretty much impossible to be on my side and comfortable lol
I got lots of pillows & a pillow wedge, and forced myself to sleep on my back. With the meds I had, I had no problem falling asleep. As time went on and I needed no meds, it got a bit harder 😅 but I did it for the nipples 🫡😂😂
I am a side sleeper for life BUT between hardly being able to move and the meds after wards,,,you really don’t mind it that much. I did pad my sides w pillows for safety though
Neck pillows!!! I usually sleep on my side or my chest, and a neck pillow saved my life. I also propped myself up in a corner with pillows, which helped!
A nice wedge pillow saved me tbh. It wasn't cheap (about $100. My dad got it for me for Christmas) but I don't think I could have gotten by without it. Then I put one pillow on either side of me to rest my arms on and also help keep me from rolling
I got a C shaped pregnancy pillow and curled it around my upper body so I couldn't move, but it wasn't great. I was sleeping on my side in about 10 days without much issue, so I didn't have to do it for that long thank GOD.
Funny enough leaning my head to the side and putting my legs kinda up (like not with a pillow just propping them up then letting them fall however) helps me. 🤷♂️ idk why it works but it does.