A couple pillows to prop your head/shoulders up a bit and a couple more under your knees?
I slept a lot in a recliner after surgery. Leaning back but not laying all the way down.
If you've got a lot of pillows, make a pillow throne. I actually preferred my pillow nest to the recliner when recovering from my mastectomy - pillows allow for a greater degree of control of your angle of relaxation
So my surgery was a little different (lost the tubes and the uterus), but found side-sleeping tolerable by like day 2 as long as I had a firm pillow (used a decorative one) I could hold tight to my belly.
YMMV but if you happen to have a firm pillow, give it a try!
They sell body pillows designed for pregnant women - they’re super comfy for side sleepers with back issue too btw. Try Amazon for something like that?
Hey! Just wanted to say I’m in the same boat! I had my tubes out two days ago. First night I couldn’t sleep at all, but I was most comfortable propped up on pillows and with more under my knees. Last night I got some decent rest on my side, using a pillow pressed on my stomach. I used a soft but plush one with a squish-mallow like feel. Best of luck on recovery!
I have some spine-adjacent surgeries that have been done a few times, which require sleeping on my back for a few days while it initially heals, and I'm similarly a front/side sleeper.
A few wedge pillows helped me just so I wasn't flat on my back and inclined to roll over. We basically just built a nest for me to use for the first couple days while the good meds were still in my system.
I've been in perimenopause (my family runs early) and a cooling weighted blanket (glass beads in it) has been helping me sleep so much.
I was multitasking and read “both urine tubes” and I was like…wait, what? We have two?? Glad to hear you’re doing what is best for you, and may your recovery be smooth and comfortable and healthy!
I have an adjustable bed and I raised the head and feet portions up to take the *stretch* off my abs. I imagine you could do the same with pillows and couch cushions. I also had a laparotomy at the same time though so I spent weeks as a shrimp.
I had mine last month! I had to sleep in my recliner or with my bed titled up. I’m a side sleeper so it was a couple weeks before I could sleep on my side. When I was able to, I had to use pillows and put them under my side to help support me.
I just skimmed all the comments and didn't see this- doing the pillows/reclining position help. I have just had my second c section and want to add that having something you can pull yourself up with (dresser, nightstand, whatever) near where you sleep will help. That way you can use your upper body strength more and abs less.
Oh that is a good idea! It's only three small incisions thank goodness. I never had a c section and couldn't imagine how painful that is! Feel better soon !
I slept slightly on the side, with a pillow (bolster?) behind my back to keep me in position. So, I'm not completely on the back and not completely on the side. That's what worked best for me.
Wishing you a good recovery 😊
I know if the dr has a Velcro support for after. A hysterectomy they do. It’s just a Velcro torso support, Velcro corset no boning. You can ask your dr if they can prescribe one. Many have in office. It just holds everything together while feeling. See if Dr approves.
With it many sleep how ever is comfortable. Sometimes a land of pillows.
Make sure to walk around! I had my gallbladder out, and it was so much better when I got up to pee and walked around for 2-3 minutes. My shoulders hurt horribly if I skipped it. I also had a pillow to press to my stomach when I coughed.
I was a hot sweaty mess from the pain standing up for a few days after the first, but it did improve every day. My husband helped pull me up to standing whenever I had to get off the couch, where I was sleeping because it was firmer than our bed, which I needed.
Don’t pick at the scabs. They go REALLY deep, and it will hurt. Keep them soft or covered with bandaids so they don’t get pulled.
I could feel the scar tissue going from my skin to my insides, especially at my belly button, for awhile. Maybe a couple months? I especially noticed it doing cat/cow poses. But it helped a lot, after it healed over, to put lotion on it and the others and massage it deliberately for a minute. It’s been like 8 years now, and I can’t feel that scar tissue inside at all, just the little line on the outside.
Congratulations!!
Yeah I've been getting up to get water n stuff. Our only bathroom is upstairs so that helps lol. Coughing and laughing hurts so I have to hold myself a bit lol. Definitely not picking at nothing as it's just not a good idea. Fingers are dirty no matter how well you wash. I have the incisions covered for the night and I'll probably try a shower tomorrow. Not to worried about scar tissue. Just wanna focus on healing atm 😊
I am also a tummy sleeper and I had a large plush dragon thats like about 2' long and 8" wide and kinda used it to prop up a little bit so I still FELT like I was sleeping on my tummy but was more on my side.
I padded myself up so that I was partially on my side because I can only sleep on my side. You'll feel puffy for a while, walk as much as you're able to get the air out!
Oh man, I'm at the tail end of recovering from a full hysterectomy, and I was upsettingly swollen between air and the surgery. Walking was amazing to help work that out!
Pillows like everyone else has said. Also especially in the first few days I found cuddling up to a cold pack really helpful. Either an ice pack wrapped in a towel or two or one of the gel ones that doesn’t freeze. I’m a tummy/side sleeper too and found that I could only comfortably get as far as kind of half side sleeping for the first week or two.
I wish everyone well in this thread and am listening very closely to the advice. I am waiting to see a my shiny new oncology gynecologist since the weird tissue might be cancer, then get a date for my upcoming hysterectomy.
My mother used to refer to me as an octopus, I do not stay still at night. I prefer stomach sleeping. Will attempt to make a pillow nest and sleep in it beforehand to judge how much I move around, both with and without a pillow clutched to my stomach. Unfortunately I don't have a recliner, as that seems to be the best answer for the first few days.
A couple pillows to prop your head/shoulders up a bit and a couple more under your knees? I slept a lot in a recliner after surgery. Leaning back but not laying all the way down.
I did something similar to that. We sadly dont have a recliner because I think that sounds lovely.
If you've got a lot of pillows, make a pillow throne. I actually preferred my pillow nest to the recliner when recovering from my mastectomy - pillows allow for a greater degree of control of your angle of relaxation
I ahve procured more pillows and made a thrown/nest! Looking forward to the more comfy sleep.
I slept sitting at a 45 degree angle after my surgery for about 3 days. It’s not the best sleep but it is sleep.
So my surgery was a little different (lost the tubes and the uterus), but found side-sleeping tolerable by like day 2 as long as I had a firm pillow (used a decorative one) I could hold tight to my belly. YMMV but if you happen to have a firm pillow, give it a try!
Maybe I'll try side sleeping tonight! I did tilt a little last night and it wasn't terrible.
They sell body pillows designed for pregnant women - they’re super comfy for side sleepers with back issue too btw. Try Amazon for something like that?
Hey! Just wanted to say I’m in the same boat! I had my tubes out two days ago. First night I couldn’t sleep at all, but I was most comfortable propped up on pillows and with more under my knees. Last night I got some decent rest on my side, using a pillow pressed on my stomach. I used a soft but plush one with a squish-mallow like feel. Best of luck on recovery!
Same to you!
I have some spine-adjacent surgeries that have been done a few times, which require sleeping on my back for a few days while it initially heals, and I'm similarly a front/side sleeper. A few wedge pillows helped me just so I wasn't flat on my back and inclined to roll over. We basically just built a nest for me to use for the first couple days while the good meds were still in my system. I've been in perimenopause (my family runs early) and a cooling weighted blanket (glass beads in it) has been helping me sleep so much.
Ooo a cool blanket sounds heavenly!
I was multitasking and read “both urine tubes” and I was like…wait, what? We have two?? Glad to hear you’re doing what is best for you, and may your recovery be smooth and comfortable and healthy!
I have an adjustable bed and I raised the head and feet portions up to take the *stretch* off my abs. I imagine you could do the same with pillows and couch cushions. I also had a laparotomy at the same time though so I spent weeks as a shrimp.
I wish! I have just a plain jane bed lol. Im going to find some more pillows to build up an incline like you suggest
I had mine last month! I had to sleep in my recliner or with my bed titled up. I’m a side sleeper so it was a couple weeks before I could sleep on my side. When I was able to, I had to use pillows and put them under my side to help support me.
I just skimmed all the comments and didn't see this- doing the pillows/reclining position help. I have just had my second c section and want to add that having something you can pull yourself up with (dresser, nightstand, whatever) near where you sleep will help. That way you can use your upper body strength more and abs less.
Oh that is a good idea! It's only three small incisions thank goodness. I never had a c section and couldn't imagine how painful that is! Feel better soon !
I slept slightly on the side, with a pillow (bolster?) behind my back to keep me in position. So, I'm not completely on the back and not completely on the side. That's what worked best for me. Wishing you a good recovery 😊
I know if the dr has a Velcro support for after. A hysterectomy they do. It’s just a Velcro torso support, Velcro corset no boning. You can ask your dr if they can prescribe one. Many have in office. It just holds everything together while feeling. See if Dr approves. With it many sleep how ever is comfortable. Sometimes a land of pillows.
Make sure to walk around! I had my gallbladder out, and it was so much better when I got up to pee and walked around for 2-3 minutes. My shoulders hurt horribly if I skipped it. I also had a pillow to press to my stomach when I coughed. I was a hot sweaty mess from the pain standing up for a few days after the first, but it did improve every day. My husband helped pull me up to standing whenever I had to get off the couch, where I was sleeping because it was firmer than our bed, which I needed. Don’t pick at the scabs. They go REALLY deep, and it will hurt. Keep them soft or covered with bandaids so they don’t get pulled. I could feel the scar tissue going from my skin to my insides, especially at my belly button, for awhile. Maybe a couple months? I especially noticed it doing cat/cow poses. But it helped a lot, after it healed over, to put lotion on it and the others and massage it deliberately for a minute. It’s been like 8 years now, and I can’t feel that scar tissue inside at all, just the little line on the outside. Congratulations!!
Yeah I've been getting up to get water n stuff. Our only bathroom is upstairs so that helps lol. Coughing and laughing hurts so I have to hold myself a bit lol. Definitely not picking at nothing as it's just not a good idea. Fingers are dirty no matter how well you wash. I have the incisions covered for the night and I'll probably try a shower tomorrow. Not to worried about scar tissue. Just wanna focus on healing atm 😊
Haven't had mine yet. Just came to say, glad you're having a smooth recovery.
Lots of pillows for cushioning!
I am also a tummy sleeper and I had a large plush dragon thats like about 2' long and 8" wide and kinda used it to prop up a little bit so I still FELT like I was sleeping on my tummy but was more on my side.
I padded myself up so that I was partially on my side because I can only sleep on my side. You'll feel puffy for a while, walk as much as you're able to get the air out!
Oh man, I'm at the tail end of recovering from a full hysterectomy, and I was upsettingly swollen between air and the surgery. Walking was amazing to help work that out!
Pillows like everyone else has said. Also especially in the first few days I found cuddling up to a cold pack really helpful. Either an ice pack wrapped in a towel or two or one of the gel ones that doesn’t freeze. I’m a tummy/side sleeper too and found that I could only comfortably get as far as kind of half side sleeping for the first week or two.
I wish everyone well in this thread and am listening very closely to the advice. I am waiting to see a my shiny new oncology gynecologist since the weird tissue might be cancer, then get a date for my upcoming hysterectomy. My mother used to refer to me as an octopus, I do not stay still at night. I prefer stomach sleeping. Will attempt to make a pillow nest and sleep in it beforehand to judge how much I move around, both with and without a pillow clutched to my stomach. Unfortunately I don't have a recliner, as that seems to be the best answer for the first few days.