Sleep position after heart surgery

[Saracen11]

25/03/19 Monday Had triple bypass and valve replacement at Barts hospital, released on 30/03/19 Saturday.

Can anyone help me regarding sleep position. In the hospital they wanted me to sleep on my back so the breast bone can heal properly. I have been lying on my back in bed at home but would be more comfortable on my side. How long do I need to sleep on my back.

[Fredders]

I used a rolled up duvet so that I was slightly propped up for the first few weeks after my first op and a bolster pillow after the second, as I can’t sleep laid flat on my back. I started sleeping on my side about four weeks after my ops. I cuddled a teddy bear to give some support to my chest and to stop me rolling over onto my front too much, but a pillow or rolled up towel would do the same - appeciate that not everyone wants to sleep with a teddy! 😜

I think some hospitals like you to sleep on your back for longer, but mine said it was okay as soon as it felt comfortable enough.

Wendy

[Chappychap]

Different hospitals seem to give different advice. In fact here's a document from St Barts that clearly states (page 10) that you can sleep in whatever position you personally find most comfortable!

guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/reso...

I was told that sleeping on your side or on your back were both okay, just not on your front. I slept on my side, but found that sleeping on my left side was uncomfortable where as sleeping on my right side was better. I found a report from a US hospital that said many people struggled to lay on their left side after open heart surgery.

Bottom line, you do whatever gives you the best sleep and gets you through the night with the least discomfort!

Good luck for a speedy recovery.

[Philra]

I had open heart surgery 26 months ago. I wasn’t told to only sleep on my back post op. I slept on my side using pillows to protect my chest. Best wishes for your recovery.

[Handel]

Like Chappychap, my husband couldn't sleep on his left side but snuggled a soft pillow to his chest as he lay on his right side. When he rolled onto his back in his sleep, he woke up in pain. Sleep was very elusive for weeks after his quad bypass so he used to doze on the settee with a V shaped pillow as support behind him.

Good wishes for a quick recovery. It does get easier!! xxx

[Alison1960]

I think it might depend if you had mini or full sternotomy. I couldn’t sleep on my side for at least 2-3 weeks as if wasn’t comfortable so had a big v-shaped pillow to prop me up which I eventually got used to. Then I started sleeping on my left hand side as I found that most comfortable. I don’t think it really matters- just not on your front until much later! When I eventually did sleep on my front it felt that I’d reached a great milestone!!!! Good luck, be patient- it takes a while but it will soon be s distant memory .

[invictaAlec]

This is a good example of how we all mend differently! Nine months post op and I'm only really comfortable sleeping on my back. I can manage short periods on my left side but not at all on my right. It seems the best advice is to do whatever you find easiest. Experiment with pillows for support.

[bruceDavid]

i bought a recliner when i had my open heart surgery. works like a charm.i slept in it for almost two months.

[Saracen11]

Thanks for the advice have progressed to sleeping on my right side hugging a pillow