Post Cabg how soon do you think i can i lie on my side?

[bagsypartime]

i asked the physiological this when i was still in and she said when i liked.To start with even slight movement was unthinkable,I lay and slept absolutely still.I would dream i was stretching and wake up with my arms braced.

I've been lucky because i am fairly content on a pillow slope and laying stock still.Researching recovery it said that if they sign you off at six weeks you can return to work but not chuck bags of cement about.One surgeon also said that the sternum is 50% knitted at two weeks and that's where i feel i am.I do feel i would be okay on my side but have not tried it yet.How did everyone else get on?

Is it two questions?; how soon can i lie on my side?And; how soon is it wise to lie on my side?

I'm normally quite a fidget including lying on my front.I seem to remember a warning not to do that but now i'm feeling more confident about this too.

[Jako999]

I tried to stay on my back for 6 weeks but after about 4 weeks I woke up some times on my side, I still had pain rolling over even 6 months later and even now at 9 months I can’t lie on my front and when I sneeze it still hurts. I suppose the real answers is your body will tell you when and if it hurts don’t do it.

Good luck.

[MarmiteB]

It took me about 3 weeks if not more to comfortably lay on my side. I had a few nights post op that I accidentally laid on my side before I was ready and it was really sore. Just do it when you feel ready x

[CyclingTime]

You can do it when you like. However you might find it uncomfortable.

When turning on your side hold a pillow to your chest with both arms to avoid stressing the operation site. I found it much easier sleeping on my side if I kept the pillow there as it really stopped any strain.

[Eugene1950]

👋 Hi, along with those support stockings, the lying on your back malarkey was one of the most distressing aspects post Bypass. I like to sleep on my front 😴 so those 1st 6 weeks were a right pain! What difference sleeping on your side/front makes to the chest healing process I've no idea? I stuck to sleeping on my back for 7 weeks started playing tennis 🎾 at week 8 however on reflection that was a bit stupid!

Did sticking to sleeping on my back made any difference 🤔 to the healing process?

All I can say is post 5 months I hardly notice my chest wound now. I'm playing tennis three times a week which puts a lot of stress on the chest muscles without any discomfort so if you can stick to sleeping on your back for as long as you can stand it.

Best wishes, Denis

[Thanksnhs]

Hi I was able to lie on my side about a week after my transplant my lovely nurses helped at first using three pillows to make me comfy, one at top, the 2nd one under my arm and 3rd to stop me rolling on my back it was brilliant, after a few days I could manage by myself, I slept like a baby although the meds probably helped with that 😅 I had no problems at all with my sternum. Char

[Furryears]

Hi I was a long time before I lay on my side but my it was lovely when I eventually did, I had an infection a few weeks in and that hampered recovery, antibiotics done the trick.

It took months but I now lie in either side or on my back quite comfortably.

Take care of yourself x

[Heather1957]

We all heal at a different pace and it will also depend on what exactly was done.

One of my repeat statements is 'listen to your body'. In the main I healed well but had an infection in the drainage stitches which set things back a few weeks.

I initially slept in a reclining chair for about a week before going back to my bed and it was a bit of trial and error to see if I managed to sleep on my side. I always sleep on my side so was very relieved when I could do that.

I am not sure the medical team can give you a specific time when you can go back to sleeping on your side, you'll know when the time is right.