The amount of sleep you get after surgery can be determined by a number of things, which include: pain, reaction to treatment and medication and even the psychological burden that comes with worrying about the surgical incision lines. The postoperative septic complications in gastrointestinal surgery impact immediate as well as long-term outcomes, which lead to reinterventions and additional costs. If you are one of those compulsive individuals who feel that life in bed would be better with a total wedge pillow, the option is available to elevate both of your knees when you are asleep. Its a comfortable way of sleeping. After that, you could begin to drift off to sleep. This is because high sitting increases pressure on the spinal curves in the lower back, increasing the risk of lower back injury. JOGNN 7 (3) pp 7-11. The nature of the surgery often determines just how difficult it will be to get enough sleep during the recovery period. After tummy tuck surgery, the best sleeping position is in a recliner. Recovering from those can be more complicated than you think. 54. pp 169-78. You want to avoid being disrupted by your sleeping position while sleeping. Elevate your head: Sleep with your head elevated above your heart to reduce swelling and promote healing. Youll be able to decide how much youll earn based on the type of work you do and how you feel. So, whether you are still in the hospital or whether you are allowed to return home after surgery, one of the key aspects is to elevate the affected part of the body. Call us today to book an in-person consultation. This position is ideal for healing but may not be the best for many to fall asleep. Failure to comply with those instructions and sometimes that is out of a patients control risk undoing everything that medical practitioners had hoped to achieve before performing the surgery. back pain, constipation and gas. Insomnia is a common complaint after surgery. More specifically between the knees, to avoid unwanted strain on those incision lines. Sleep on your back with a pillow between your legs. Ergonomics. It's more of a familiar environment. The body will have to heal, and there will be some stiffness in the first few days. If you have had laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery, you should be able to drive within two weeks. You do not want your sleeping position to disrupt this process. Having a fat transfer to the buttocks is a very major procedure, with a healing time that is long compared to some other more straightforward procedures. Worse yet, do they keep you awake? This will allow the incisions to heal and reduce discomfort from the surgical site. Sounds of monitors beeping with occasional alarms, bedside clinicians frequently checking your vital signs or drawing blood samples, and the feel of an unaccustomed mattress are all disruptive. After any surgery, it is imperative you follow the postoperative guidelines to help you recover as fast as possible. For those who sleep sideways, it can be very effective in improving your healing time after laparoscopic surgery. Prepare for your hysterectomy with these Physical Therapy exercises and techniques that help you: Includes exercises for constipation, gas pain, lower back pain, moving in and out of bed and safe return to activity after hysterectomy. Gallbladder surgery might cause pain and discomfort while you heal, but you can usually be back to your regular activities within a week or so. FAQs: Why Is Allergic Rhinitis Called Hay Fever? Sleeping Position After Abdominal Surgery Most people are able to sleep in any position after abdominal surgery, but there are a few exceptions. Understand the symptoms, causes and treatments available for managing this condition. All Rights Reserved. Verhaert, V. et al (2011). Its normal to have difficulty getting rest in the initial 1 to 2 weeks after having gallbladder surgery. Step 1. (2016). Sleeping in any posture can be a challenge after laparoscopic surgery. Avoid the high sitting in bed position for extended periods of time after hospital discharge (unless medically advised). Depending on a few factors such as the extent of the surgery and how well you take care of yourself, you may be left swollen for a few days afterward. Here are some tips to help you sleep comfortably after oral surgery: 1. This typically allows the surgeon to get much better, 3-D images of the abdomen during the surgery. As a part of Amazon Affiliate for every qualifying purchase, we make some money. See additional information. Sleep on your side is possible within 48 hours of surgery, but you may not sleep on your stomach or sides for four weeks afterward. Truth be told, it does become a lot of admin though and the arrangement with the wedge is not going to get you eight hours of sleep either. The removal of fallopian tubes is normally done using laparoscopic surgery, but you can still expect to be a little uncomfortable for a few days after surgery. (2017). After an otoplasty, your ears and the area around will be sore and swollen, so there will be no sleeping on either side of your body. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any type of abdominal surgery, including surgery on your gallbladder, can cause you to have difficulty sleeping. Open hernia repair surgery. Planning your sleep space, having pain relievers on hand, and following all of your doctors instructions are the quickest ticket to a good nights rest while you heal. If your upper body needs to be elevated for sleeping or resting, an alternative to high sitting is a sleeping wedge to raise the upper body. This article is based on reporting that features expert sources. To aid with potential bloating and gas, you can also take simethicone products, which can help with gas discomfort, such as: When you recover from any type of surgery, its important to make sure that you have a clean, calm environment to rest in while you heal. Sleeping on a wedge can also benefit women who need to sleep with their upper trunk elevated for medical reasons such as sleep apnoea or oesophageal reflux. Although some patients require more than 10 days of observation, most patients with small bowel obstruction due to postoperative adhesions can tolerate supportive treatment and recover well within one week. Please read our fulldisclosure pageto learn more about it. Why Can I Not Sleep on My Stomach After Tummy Tuck Surgery? The faster you can get back to your regular routine, the better you will be for this decision. If you are considering surgery, it is critical to discuss your options with a surgeon who is knowledgeable enough to provide you with detailed instructions on which type of surgery and sleeping position is best for you. After surgery, the stomach pouch may begin to swell up to 6-12 months after the operation. Four weeks. void 0===window.FeedbackCompanyWidget){if( All rights reserved. In advance, make contact with a few friends or family members to help you plan ahead of time. It is recommended that patients avoid stomach sleeping for at least six weeks after surgery. Otherwise, dressing material placed at the end of the operation stays on for about 10 days to help protect the wound. The next question I'm asked is " Can I sleep on my side after an appendectomy ?" Even the recovery rate is better than open surgery and faster too. Causes of trouble sleeping after gallbladder surgery, When to see a doctor if youre having problems sleeping after gallbladder surgery, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5192342/, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5768217/#R2, Gallbladder Removal Diet: What to Eat and What to Skip. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (*) Disclaimer: Claims & photos on this website are from specific individuals. So we really prefer that patients sleep on their back, or sometimes on their side, to avoid putting pressure on their front by sleeping on their stomach. That lengthens recovery time and can present additional complications post-surgery. You see being straight upright tends to pull on the incision lines in that area of the body. Support your head and neck in a neutral (straight) position with a single pillow that avoids tilting your head and neck while sleeping. If you are considering surgery, you should have your doctor discuss the options with you. This same study concluded that in the first 2 to 4 nights after either type of surgery, your body will lose a significant amount of REM sleep, but that in the days afterward, your body will try to provide you with extra REM sleep to make up for it. One of the best ways to manage your pain is to sleep in a position that reduces it. All rights reserved. Some surgical pain is deep somatic. You can. The hospital itself is a less-than-ideal environment for uninterrupted sleep. After 48 hours, your stomach or sides may not be able to support you, and you may not sleep flat on your back for four weeks. Taking a three to four-week leave of absence is generally recommended. ;0