Sleeping on incisions

[shriner37 249]

Just curious how long it was before you were able to sleep on your incision sites. I'm at Day 5 post RNY. My incision sites are no longer sore but I've been sleeping in a recliner as a precaution to keep from putting pressure on them. I'm told my staples will be coming out at my one week follow up, which is actually tomorrow.

How long after surgery did you wait (if at all) to return to normal sleeping?

[ardelia 41]

You have staples? 😳

[shriner37 249]

4 minutes ago, ardelia said:

You have staples? 😳

Yes. I have five incisions, all of which are secured by staples except there is one stitch in the left most incision. The surgeon's PA will take the staples out at the one week follow up.

[catwoman7 11,216]

it's been a few years for me, but I think I was able to sleep on my side (my preferred position) at about three weeks out.

[Spinoza 1,412]

I think about 3 weeks post op for me too - it was pretty painful to lie on my side (preferred position) before that. And sore to change position. I just slept on my back in bed before that. Good luck Shriner - bet you're feeling a little better every day now.

[shriner37 249]

4 minutes ago, Spinoza said:

I think about 3 weeks post op for me too - it was pretty painful to lie on my side (preferred position) before that. And sore to change position. I just slept on my back in bed before that. Good luck Shriner - bet you're feeling a little better every day now.

Thanks. Yes, every day gets better. This is revision surgery for me so I've been through this with the sleeve, but it was 2015 and some of the details are a bit fuzzy in my memory. I'm a side sleeper and I think after the first surgery I was able to sleep on my side after 3-4 nights. It seems like the incision pain went away quicker this time than last, although this time the gas pains lasted longer.

[summerseeker 2,172]

Like others I had to wait 3 weeks but mainly because of reflux. I had to sleep sitting up until the reflux settled.

[ShoppGirl 4,892]

I didn’t have staples and I sleep on my back but I think I could have slept on my side pretty early out. I didn’t have much incision pain.

[ardelia 41]

I had no staples and I was sleeping on my side the very first night.

[Queen ApisM 427]

I was sleeping on my side right away, with a hugging pillow, but I also didn't have staples.

[Arabesque 7,335]

I was sleeping on my side straight away too & I’m do almost a 3/4 body turn so almost sleeping on my tummy. I did only have stitches for the laparoscopic wounds but have had staples in my head from another surgery which I slept on with minimal discomfort.

But we all heal & experience pain/discomfort differently. If you can sleep on your side early on that’s great. If you can’t that’s ok too.

All the best with your recovery.

[Smanky 748]

I was at about 4 weeks before I could stand any pressure on my abdomen, but I had a hiatal hernia repair at the same time as the bypass, which upped the pain levels and pain duration. I slept on my side with a pillow protecting my stomach area, and another wedged behind me to stop me rolling onto my back in my sleep. sleeping on my back would have been fine, but I didn't want my cat jumping on me. 8kg of cat landing on my gut would have probably sent me to the ER!

[GradyCat 3,695]

I don't remember the incision sites ever bothering me. I sleep on my side.

[shriner37 249]

9 hours ago, Smanky said:

8kg of cat landing on my gut would have probably sent me to the ER!

I would hate to try to explain that one to the ER doctor!

[lizonaplane 1,613]

I sleep on my stomach and it took me about 3 weeks before I could comfortably lie on my stomach again. I didn't have staples. I do notice that I now often wake up on my back, but I seem to fall asleep better on my stomach.