Triple bypass surgery

[Malteasers]

Hi everyone, my name is Claire, 54 years old.I had ny triple bypass surgery in Southampton hospital on 21st February, just over 2 weeks ago.

All is going fairly well albeit slowly.

Some days are better than others, but in general I seem to be where I should be in my recovery .

My main issue is sleep 😴

I've always been a side sleeper and just can not get comfortable on my back, I've tried sleeping in my recliner- no joy.

I have bought a special memory foam bed wedge - no joy.

I am absolutely exhausted from lack of sleep, so I'm asking you all ..... What were/are your sleeping tricks?

At this stage if someone swore blind sleeping with snake on your pillow worked for them I'd give it a go .

Thanks 😊

[080311]

Hello Malteasers and welcome to the forum.

Can really understand about not getting comfortable on your back for sleep. Like you I am a side sleeper and getting comfortable after surgery was a bit of a problem. I found 3 pillows 2 at an angle 1 in the middle and the rolled up baby blanket I had for when I needed to cough or sneeze! Held to my chest with my arms wrapped round worked for me. Though the first time I could sleep on my side was heaven!

I hope you manage to get some rest

Best wishes Pauline

[Malteasers in reply to 080311]

Thanks Pauline, do you remember how long after surgery it was that you managed to sleep on your side? Claire

[080311 in reply to Malteasers]

It was 6 weeks. Felt quite comfortable trying. Bliss!

[MountainGoat52 in reply to Malteasers]

Like Pauline, it was 6 weeks for me to be able to sleep on my side... then only one way, but it improved bit by bit until at around 10 to 12 weeks it wasn't an issue any more.

[Malteasers in reply to MountainGoat52]

Thank you, I'm so looking forward to it

[Jeremypeter in reply to 080311]

Hi Claire, I had my surgery on 10/2/25 and had the the same problem so I completely sympathise with you, I am a front sleeper and found it impossible to rest for more than an hour or two, also purchased a recliner, raiser chair, did not help me with sleep personally, phycology helped me feel I had some alternative, by week three I just managed to sleep on my side hugging a pillow, such a releif, I am now week four and sleeping on my front, still only manage maximum of four hours sleep, then awake for a while, and back of to sleep, so we'll manageable , every day has been an improvement, so things will get much better, and very quickly for you, best of luck , Jeremy

[080311 in reply to Jeremypeter]

Morning

You replied to me instead of Maltesers, not a problem but just incase she misses it.

Best wishes Pauline

[Jeremypeter in reply to 080311]

Thank you Pauline, much appreciated

[Malteasers in reply to Jeremypeter]

Thank you, glad to hear you are getting a little more sleep in week 4, I'm nearing week 3 now so not far behind you

[PadThaiNoodles]

While still in hospital I figured out that I could sleep 1/2 way over on my side. The trick was to put some pillows behind my butt to keep me stable in the 1/2 way position.

Good luck with it!

[Malteasers in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

Thanks ...... I'll give it a go

[OldaYoda]

Me too, sleeping on my back was awful. I managed naps not a long stretch. I tried to organise pain meds so I took them before bed and let them knock me out. I also napped in the day. The first time I managed to to sleep on my side - about 5/6 weeks. Bliss

[Malteasers in reply to OldaYoda]

Thank you, i am so looking forward to a whole night's sleep

[Jcdg]

hi , absolutely agree with you ! Side sleeper as well , I used a triangle pillow and a pillow across it with one either side ! Sometimes a pillow under my knees helped , I do remember the 1st night I was able to sleep on my side got about 2 hours proper sleep ! Promise it will get better about 5/6 weeks , take care and wishing you a good recovery 🙂

[Malteasers in reply to Jcdg]

Thank you 😊

[JaneBrown55]

hi Claire . I’m Jane,69 and had a quadruple bypass nearly 12 months ago . Completely understand the sleeping on your back thing. I bought new soft pillows from Next so that I sink into them more and started having a milky drink before bed which helped . As your ribs heal and you get more active the tiredness will zonk u out but I must admit sleeping on my side now is a joy . You will get there it just takes a little time xxx

[Malteasers in reply to JaneBrown55]

Thanks Jane, I'm counting down the days

[BobbyB1962]

I used a foam wedge and a large triangular pillow thing. Used to get me a couple of hours at a time. Also had the odd nap during the day. 😊Good luck!

[Malteasers in reply to BobbyB1962]

Thank you

[Larneybuds]

Hi Claire, I found lack of sleep after OHS one of the worst parts of recovery. Like many people on the forum I used a wedge with pillows just to keep me more upright...not much luck with sleep and as a normal side sleeper, after a few weeks I wondered if I could prop one side of me up if that would work. I used a soft pillow long ways and put it from under my shoulder down to my waist so I wasn't right over on my side but tilted over slightly. This made enough difference for me to be able to get a few hours sleep at least. Not for everybody but anything is worth a try because the lack of sleep makes you feel less like doing things the next day like the exercise which is also a big part of recovery. Good luck and I hope you manage to get more shut eye. Take care xx

[Malteasers in reply to Larneybuds]

Thank you, i will give that a try tonight

[CyclingTime]

Hi it was the same for me. I used a V pillow which really helped and kept a cushion in the bed which I hugged while turning on to my side.

I used that to sleep on my side almost immediately I was home

[Malteasers in reply to CyclingTime]

Thank you

[sjs1me]

Hi Claire, likewise Southampton but last June, to be honest, I never got a god night's sleep until about week 4 or 5. No end of pillows in various positions worked. I awoke one day on my front with no idea how I got in that position and from then on I just slept however I was comfortable. I found the pace of general improvement really accelerated after week 4 but still choose not to drive until week 6. Hang in there, it will get much better over the next few weeks.

[Malteasers in reply to sjs1me]

Thank you, just heading into week 3, can feel an improvement already, looking forward to week 4

[OK10]

Hi. I had my ohs last september. It took me some time to sleep on my back with pillows. After a few weeks i could sleep on my right hand side but i still can not sleep on my left hand side. Revovery is a very slow process. Don't force yourself, be patient and you will get better. When invited join the cardiac rehab classes, which will make you tired then you'll be able to sleep better.Good luck.

[Malteasers in reply to OK10]

Thank you 😊

[cabgpatch]

Also a UHS patient, although in my case CABGx3 June last year. After a lifetime of sleeping on my side or front, I too could not get comfortable, though weirdly, my first night home from So'ton I had a great night's sleep! I found that by simply changing the mix of pillows helped as I had a thinner, firmer pillow on top due to my neck angle sleeping on my front. I changed it for a softer pillow and that helped, but like others, I also slept half on my side, i.e. with my shoulder at right angles to the mattress. I found it easier to sleep like that on my left side than right, although I naturally sleep on my right or front.

I also realised that I was concerned about what might happen to my chest wound if I lay on my side, but as I became more confident about that, I probably relaxed a bit more and that aided sleep as well.

It does get better fairly quickly and last night I got a 'superb sleep' rating from my sleep app and am probably sleeping better than I ever have. Hang in, you'll get there!

Paul

[Malteasers in reply to cabgpatch]

Thank you.Not going to lie, so jealous of your superb sleep award though 😆

[cabgpatch in reply to Malteasers]

Not surprised, I would have been as well after a few weeks. At the time, I couldn't conceive of a good night's sleep. It's a journey of small wins so early on in recovery and doesn't always help people like me telling you it gets better. But it does 😀

[Billett]

I used to wedge pillars around me andif i did tend to roll it didnt matter to much but like after 4 weeks i was on my side anyway it is a pain though

[Cruise1]

my wife had a similar problem after hip replacement. I had to wedge her with several pillows but she didn’t get a decent nights sleep for over 2 months.

[Bobkins99]

After I had OHS in 2022I think it was less than 2 weeks before I was finding various positions of semi side sleeping. I can't sleep on my back so it was needs must

[LaLa58]

hey! I’m a day ahead of you! Had a single bypass on 20.02 at Basildon CTC. Those first few days were awful… just laying awake propped up waiting for exhaustion to take over!

I’m a side sleeper too and am really reassured by the replies you have had. It feels like 4 - 6 weeks are the ‘magic’ weeks! I’m getting chunks of 2-3 hours through the night by using a foam wedge and pillows! I’m looking forward to being able to be flat and on my side again!

Good luck with your recovery!

[Malteasers in reply to LaLa58]

Hi, honestly I think it's the replies on here that have kept me going, just so reassuring to know that so many had the same issue but are now back to their normal sleeping position. I managed a sneaky couple of hours on my side on Sunday night, it was bliss 😊

The thought of sleeping in my usual position with just two pillows, no wedges, all curled up on my side with one arm above my head for 7 hours straight excites me no end.

Good luck, stay strong