Post-laparoscopy Sleeping: Hi guys. I’m... - Endometriosis UK

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Post-laparoscopy Sleeping

R_elep profile image
16 Replies

Hi guys. I’m having my laparoscopy in a few weeks time and trying to get as prepared as possible! 🙈 I was just wondering about sleeping positions after surgery and if it’s worth getting a post-surgery/ pregnancy type pillow? Or is it just a case of simply sleeping on your back and that’s fine. Any advice would be fab! X

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R_elep
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16 Replies
CPow17 profile image
CPow17

I was totally fine with normal pillows personally. I remember piling them up around me a bit which helped, but don't think i needed any special ones. Best of luck for your surgery!

R_elep profile image
R_elep in reply toCPow17

Great - thanks for the advice! Thank you :D Can’t believe it’s only a few weeks away now 😯

Hi there. When I had my laparoscopy to remove just the endometriosis, I just used pillows, as CPow17 says. I don’t remember too much discomfort ☺️

But after my laparoscopic hysterectomy, I invested in a pillow that allowed me to sleep with my legs raised, as it was agony to lie flat.

I hope it all goes well! 😁💙

R_elep profile image
R_elep in reply toPenelopeClearwater

Thank you so much for the advice and for the good wishes for the surgery! I love my sleep so much so just trying to get clued up haha. Loving your profile name btw! 😋🤓

meg73 profile image
meg73

Hi! I had mine a week and a half ago! I managed to sleep on my back okay for the first few days but ended up super sore from not really moving all night. Recommend piling pillows around you and putting some under your knees so your legs are a bit elevated! I'm able to sleep on my side again now but still put one pillow under my stomach for comfort

R_elep profile image
R_elep in reply tomeg73

Ah wow - must feel great to finally get it over with! Thanks for the advice :D

Dairqueen profile image
Dairqueen

I had mine last week and I highly recommend sleeping elevated for the first three nights at least as the gas pain will get very intense if you lie flat and it goes into your chest and shoulder. I slept elevated with a big pillow under my knees and found that super comfortable. Last night was the first night I was able to sleep comfortably on my side at Day 10. With pillows supporting my belly. The nurse in the hospital told me about sleeping elevated and also told me to start eating prunes and drinking fruit juice to help my bowel as the gas pain and bowels were the worst bit!

R_elep profile image
R_elep in reply toDairqueen

Thanks so much for the advice! Glad that you’re sleeping comfortably now 😀

LouiseC83 profile image
LouiseC83

To be honest I was absolutely fine with my normal sleeping equipment 🤣Didn't get anything different and I had a whole raft of areas "excised"

R_elep profile image
R_elep in reply toLouiseC83

Thanks for the advice - that’s reassuring to know! :D

LouiseC83 profile image
LouiseC83 in reply toR_elep

Welcome. Key tip is get really loose fitting trousers. Like ones that don't elasticate round your waist at all! Xxx

Berry_blue profile image
Berry_blue

Hey. I had my lap 2 weeks ago and woke up from recovery on my side. I also slept the first night in hospital on my side. The second night I tried to lay on my back but I couldn’t because of the extreme pain from the gas in my back and shoulders! I haven’t slept on my back once as I’m a side sleeper anyway and didn’t feel too much discomfort in my side at all!

Good luck with your op 😃

R_elep profile image
R_elep in reply toBerry_blue

Thanks for the tips! Glad you didn’t get too much discomfort :D

G3miniStar profile image
G3miniStar

I'm two weeks post-lap and I've only really just started to sleep in my normal positions. I think first few nights I slept on my back or did manage to get comfortable on my left side but right was very sore as the stitch was pulling (I'm also a bit overweight so extra skin to pull!). Two weeks later and I woke up this morning on my stomach 🤦‍♀️ bit sore this morning lol

Good luck with your lap! x

R_elep profile image
R_elep in reply toG3miniStar

Thanks for the tips and for the good luck wishes! :D

Mavis88 profile image
Mavis88

Hi I would recommend a pregnancy pillow or v shaped one I struggled to sleep lying flat expecially with wind building in chest and shoulder blade. Good luck

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