Posture Issues and Sleeping Upright - How Long For You?

Sorry if I am making too many posts, but hopefully they will help someone else with the same questions.

I am 16 days out and still unable to sleep in my bed comfortably. Doesn't matter how many pillows, or what position.

I've been sleeping in my recliner (not comfy) since I got home from the hospital. I tried a week ago to sleep in my bed, but felt like I could not breathe and felt like it made my tummy hurt.

I tried again last night and though it was a little better than last week, I feel like my back hurt even more than it already does since surgery.

I know some people have posted that they never slept in a recliner at all (and boy, are you all blessed!), but what I really want to know is those that have slept in a recliner, HOW LONG did you have to do so?

I really did not think I'd be in the recliner more than a couple of nights after I got home.

I also have found that my posture is worse and when sitting in my desk chair here, I'll notice I'm sitting bent over towards the monitor and when I realize it, I straighten up, but before I know it, I'm slumped over again, anyone else with this issue?

Thanks, as always!!
Wynter

I think I slept sitting up on the couch for about two weeks.  I can't remember exactly.  I don't have a recliner though so I was just sitting up on the couch.  Not real comfy but better than the bed.

I slept that way too, sitting up on the couch, for a while after I came home from the hospital when I had pneumonia and lung surgery.

I slept in my recliner for almost a month after my RNY and for a couple of weeks after each of my two other open abdominal surgeries (hernia repair and tummy tuck).  (I only slept in the recliner for a night or two after my lap gallbladder surgery.)  I just had another open surgery last Tuesday, though, (6+ in*****ision) and was able to sleep in bed almost all night last night (with pain meds right before bed and pain meds (liquid) available to take before I even try to get out of bed).  I think it is easier to get more comfortable without the extra weight, but that doesn't explain why this is any different than after my tummy tuck. 

This might sound like a dumb question, but have you tried taking pain medication before bed so that you are more comfortable when you try to settle into bed?

I have had the posture issues with all of my open surgeries -- it eventually faded as the muscle healed -- but did not have it after my lap surgery.

Lora

Lora, I've not taken any pain medication (I have Lortab Liquid) in about a week.

I want to be able to drive as soon as I can and you can't drive until that stuff is out of your system for like 48 hours or something.

My surgery was lap and it's not excruciating pain I feel when trying to lay in bed, it's just being very uncomfortable.

The recliner is uncomfortable too as I've never been a person who could sleep well sitting up, but at this point I have no choice.

Wynter

I was in it for two weeks - got uncomfortable and lonely in the living room everynight.  I should clarify that - 2 weeks out from getting home, 3 weeks from surgery date.  My wife finally said lets move the recliner into the bedroom so you're not alone...I got frustrated and gave the bed another try and it worked for me AFTER I endured a little pain for a few minutes and totally relaxed.

Before that I was exactly the same - if I laid flat, I could not breathe at all.  Once I could lay in bed, I could only lay on my back, but was very happy to do that.  The first side I could sleep on was the left side (can't imagine why - I really figured that because of all the poking around over there, the other side would have been first) .  When I tried the right side, same problem, couldn't breathe.  The side sleeping took about another 2 weeks.

You'll get there really soon, I'm sure.  Just try every couple of nights.

Good Luck!

I never slept in my recliner.  I felt pretty good when I got home so I only took my pain meds when I went to sleep.  The first three nights I did sleep upright with pillows around me, after that I was ok.  Getting out of bed was the toughest part, but every night got better

I had to sleep in my recliner for three weeks- No amount of pain meds would let me get comfortable- and the first couple of nights I did go to sleep in bed(propped up with a ton of pillows) I got up after a couple of hours and went back to my recliner.  I was more comfortable sleeping with pillows under my legs, but if you try that makae sure you put them length wise under your legs and not crossways- to prevent blood clots - Good luck

Thanks for your reply. Not sure if I got this part right. You are saying to put pillows length wise, does this mean like you would put a pillow under each leg and the pillow would be the long way like your legs?

What would be the difference in crossways in regards to blood clots? Thanks for your help.

Wynter

It took me a good month before I could even sleep in a more reclined position. Month and a half before I could sleep on my side I was very swollen. I stopped taking the lortab after the first week but I made sure and took 4 chewable tylenol before bed to dull the pain a bit.

Thanks for the info! Truly, how does the chewable Tylenol taste? I have the Tylenol Adult Liquid and frankly it's gross. I have a really hard time with taking meds and drinking protein shakes as they are all disgusting to me!

Did you have lap or open surgery?

Wynter