Getting back to bed - ThinnerTimes

coptergirl · 03-26-2006, 06:40 PM

I have a strange question. I had my surgery open almost 3 weeks ago and have been sleeping in a recliner in my living room. I am tired of that because the sun rises right through the bay window the chair is in (the only place it will fit). I am dying to get back to bed, and tried it about a week ago. The first time I tried to roll over I thought I would die and hubby had to get me back to the chair to sleep.

How do I make the transition back to bed?

veroniquetalk · 03-26-2006, 07:14 PM

when I had my Tummy tuck and it was time to get back to sleeping in my bed I got two wedge pillows. One to put under my knees and one to lay back on. That pretty much kept me from rolling over. Then I went to two regular pillows under my head, then to one. Then to two reg pillows under my knees, then to one. That sort of allowed me to wean myself off from the recliner. I hope this helps.

LisaBoston · 03-26-2006, 08:08 PM

Whitney, welcome back. I had open surgery and had to sleep in a hotel bed on day 8 onwards. I found sleeping with a pillow under my left side - kinda under my butt and lower back - helpful for me to kinda roll to the right side a little so my legs could swing off the bed so that I could sit up. Then I just pushed up with my arms to standing. I wasn't able to roll over or sleep in any position other than on my back until almost 5 weeks.

I still can't sleep rolled onto my right side...its funny cause the pouch is on the left side, but it doesn't like me on the right side.

The recliner at home was so nice (when I got home) but then my tailbone started to hurt.

Mz_Desz · 03-26-2006, 08:20 PM

Hi Whitney. I just had my surgery on the 14th. I started off sleeping on a backrest with two pillows on it and had it so that I was sitting up really high. Then I gradually started to lower the height of my pillows. Then I took away the backrest and just had the two pillows behind my head & back. Now I only have one pillow and I sleep only my stomach with my leg sort of angled so that I'm not laying on it flat.

You could wedge a soft pillow between your stomach and bed...maybe that would make you more comfortable.

MiladyB · 03-26-2006, 08:39 PM

Whitney, I found sleeping wedged up the best way for me. It kept me pretty much from rolling on to my side. When I finally did tackle my side I put a pillow under me to help support my stomach. I know several people have found body pillows helpful. Hope you have sweet dreams in your bed soon.

Myrr03 · 03-26-2006, 09:47 PM

Whitney, i didn't need to sleep on a recliner so i don't have advice, but i wanted to say hello and welcome back to the forum. i hope you feel the love that has been sent your way,

remember.... it all gets easier...

Cinerbelle · 03-26-2006, 10:38 PM

Sorry I can't help you either. I have an old lady bed (craftmatic adjustable)...it came in very handy! I was sleeping on my side by day 6, but I had LAP. Welcome back!!!

Midntsgirl · 03-26-2006, 11:18 PM

First let me say welcome back!! I hope you are recovering well, but from the sounds of this post you are having a hard time sleeping. I had my surgery lap, and eventhough the incisions were tiny, I found it EXTREAMLY uncomfortable to sleep on my bed for about 2 weeks. It seemed like everytime I tried to lay down it felt like my insides were being ripped out and getting up was even worse! It will eventually get better. I think that using the pillows behind your back and neck are a good start. I sure wish I had thought of that! Just take it easy and mkae sure that someone helps you in and out of bed until you are healed a little more. We don't want you to rip any of the staples out now!! Take care and just relax. Everything will get back to "normal" in a few weeks.

coptergirl · 03-27-2006, 08:00 AM

Thanks for the advice everyone - I slept in bed last night with a regular pillow under my head and one reg pillow in the middle as leverage and a smaller pillow between my knees and seemed to do ok. I was more comfy either on my back or left side...I really couldn't tolerate being on my right side for long. I feel pretty good this morning

veroniquetalk · 03-27-2006, 09:32 AM

Isn't it wonderful what a luxury it is sleeping in our beds once we can do that again?