Face up or face down?

[jfprofit]

10 months post surgery, I have noticed that I am uncomfortable when lying on my stomach or on my left side. I'm not certain if the discomfort is in my head, or if I really feel a pressure on or in my chest. Have any of you been told that it is harmful to lay on your chest or left side?

 

[Mb]

My husband also is more comfortable laying on his right side. He says it just isn't comfortable laying on the left side. So, I don't think you are alone in this feeling.

Marybeth

 

[sue943]

I almost always sleep on my left side, I only roll onto my right when my left shoulder is being too painful.

 

[Marguerite53]

Haven't heard that it is bad to lie in any particular position. I'm at 6 months and can lie any which way. It's the crunching when I change positions that is still somewhat annerving , but it's just something I've learned to adjust to.

One thing I've adopted since surgery is an extra pillow. Very squishy, just to hug close. It seems that I'm more comfortable with my upper arm somewhat elevated. You might try gathering some pillows around you and see if your "feelings" subside some.

Happy dreams!

Marguerite

 

[hensylee]

WHEN i lie on my left side with both arms in front, it feels like the bones where they knitted back together are being squeezed, so have to put right arm on my side/hip. I sleep mostly on right side, too. I never could see how people could sleep on their stomach, but so many can't sleep any other way. We are all different I guess.

I do know that when we are sewed back together the skin is pulled tighter than it was before because I ended up with some cleavage that was not there before.

 

[dj/utvolsfan]

I'm with Marquerite. I can sleep any which way , but I really prefer a squishy pillow to lean into or place my arm over. Otherwise, I feel antsy and feel pressure in chest. What all I really need is one of those body pillows to swing my leg over....then I would be totally balanced!
Debbi

 

[PegB]

Too weird, but I also have to sleep on my right side with a chenille afghan against my chest and under my neck (my upper stenum does not "give" like it used to). I tried a pillow and it compacted down too much. I have a few minutes of adjusting with my "blankie"...too high, too close, too loose, but once I find the right fit, I am just perfect ("what surgery???"). We were away last week, and my afghan travels with me. I'm only 6 weeks out, but I feel like they gave me an extra layer of sternum that I never had before.

 

[kodi]

I have a little pain when I sleep on my left, which is my normal sleeping side. It's nothing unbearable, tho. I haven't tried my stomach yet (only 4 1/2 weeks out), but sometimes go to sleep faster that way. Nice to know I'm not the only one with some left side pain.

 

[Rush20]

No pain, however I didn't get a good night sleep post-op until I healed well enough to sleep on my side. I have never been a "back-sleeper".

On a somewhat related note, I have noticed occassionaly that when I lie down on my back to get ready for sleep, watch TV, etc. I feel a PVC. Only happens when I first lay down. Wonder why?

 

[KAJ]

It took me about a year after surgery before I felt comfortable sleeping on my left side. However, unless I am really, really tired, I cannot do it because the valve noise keeps me awake. I still cannot sleep on my stomach.

Karl