Sleeping issues

[MichelleBryant 14]

Hi - I am 2nd day post op and having a hard time sleeping. I am not a back sleeper at all so I am struggling. How long until you can sleep on your side or stomach? I can't sleep in my bed - recliner is a little better, but still not getting much sleep. When can I expect to be able to sleep on my side?

Also. Is all this gurgling in my stomach and chest normal? Even taking my liquid pain medicine is painful to get down. Does this get better? A couple of my incision spots are very painful - I am getting up to walk. But it is difficult. I am hoping someone will tell me all of this gets easier.

[Bufflehead 6,358]

It took me about a week to be able to sleep however I wanted. I found that propping myself with lots of pillows helped.

Gurgling is normal. And yes, the pain on swallowing does get better. Do you have a two week follow up scheduled? If so, if the pain isn't better by then, definitely discuss it with your team but for 2nd day post op it is totally normal as far as I can see (I am not a medical professional -- just going by what I see other people here post). It does get better and easier but you just had major surgery on your digestive tract -- it is going to take a while! Be patient and gentle with yourself. Good luck!

[yeya89 1]

Hi I am 6 days post op and I can am not a back sleeper at all so what has been helping is a lot of pillows. Last night was the first night I slept on my side with support from pillows but felt pain after 4hours I've heard it gets better after a month.

The gurgling in your stomach and chest is normal and yes it gets better just give it a few more days the pain will go away but the gurgling still hasn't for me. It hurts when I walk too, only on one side. It helps if you support your stomach you might look funny but if I hold the most painful spot in my lower stomach I can walk with no pain.

Hope it helps I'm still trying to learn too

[PdxMan 4,292]

Yup, as mentioned, my wife made me an embankment of pillows in which I nestled into. I am not a back sleeper either, so with the pillows and an afternoon nap in the recliner, I was able to get enough sleep to get by until I was able to sleep on my side. That was probably two weeks post.

[MichelleBryant 14]

Thanks everyone! That makes me feel better. Not happy about having to sleep on my back that long, but it needs to be done. I am happy that I am down 14 pounds since my pre-op apt. and I am down 2 pounds since my surgery. Loving not being hungry!

[Mrs Havelock 154]

I slept on my side the first night after surgery. Lots of propping up pillows made me comfortable. Once home I slept leaning against the wall and with a body pillow. I cannot sleep on my back at all!