Sleeping after BMX

Bippy625

hi everyone I posted this topic in my hermit club but thought I should post it here too: 

Question for those that had surgery already. I have an inflatable queen size bed which is on a platform. So it's not directly on the ground. Any chance I will be able to sleep on that right after surgery while the drains are still in?  Will I be able to get out of it by myself if it's about a foot off the ground?

I feel like I'm going to have many restless nights and don't want to wake up DH by sleeping in our regular bed.  I'm already tossing and turning all over the place every night. Thanks!

BayouBabe

I do not think this is going to work.  If it is only about a foot off of the ground, you are going to need to use your arms to get up - you will not be able to do this for a while after your BMX.  I think your hubby needs the inflatable!    You need the comfort of your own bed.  

Blessings2011

That never would have worked for me - I was so out of shape to begin with, I couldn't even get out of my regular-height Tempurpedic bed without using my arms.

Since we didn't have a comfortable recliner I could sleep in, we rented a fully electric, adjustable hospital bed for a month. Smartest thing I ever did! Just used the controls to raise and lower my back ( you won't be able to sleep completely flat for a while) but also to raise the bed up under my knees, and raise and lower the whole bed when I had to get up in the middle of the night!

Most ladies sleep in a recliner, or in their own beds with LOTS of pillows. By the time I had my Exchange, we'd finally gotten a comfortable recliner.

Good luck to you!!!

Mischief46

I can't see that working either.  I'm one of those who slept in our bed propped up with a lot of pillows.  I don't remember tossing and turning a lot after surgery, I slept great that first week, the anesthesia takes while to wear off and the less I moved the better I felt.  I wanted my husband to be close if I needed to get up in the night.  I have pretty strong abs too but trying to use my abs to sit up was too painful.  I needed his hand on my back to sit me up and help me get out of bed for a good week after surgery.  

Bippy625

i see.....that is okay, we have a recliner but i never can sleep in it now. Also. It has the handle thing to pull, will i be able to do that?!   It is on the right, which is my node side and i am sure they will be taking at least one out.  

 I like the hospital bed rental idea best....wonder if my insurance will cover that.   So glad i asked here from those who know! 

angelia50

recliner for me and I also had the right side node removed but really had no issue with the handle.  In fact, I pretty much slept in the recliner for 8 weeks. I normally was a side sleeper and since I could not do that, I just could not get comfortable in bed and laying flat of my back, killed my back.  I tried propping pillows but still could not get any rest, so the recliner became my home, day and night.

Blessings2011

When I slept in my new recliner after exchange, I was worried about the handle part. I ordered an extension from the Walter Drake catalog. It attaches to the handle, makes it quite a bit longer, plus has a easy, rounded extension grip at the top. WAY easier to use that way.

I'd post a pic but am using my iPad. Too dumb to figure it out!!!!

noonrider

I am 2 1/2 weeks out from my BMX. I still have my drains in. There is *no way* could have slept in a bed without someone to help me get out. I attempted my bed on day 4, because we had inlaws staying with us to help with my little one and I was desperate for some quiet place to sleep. I was MISERABLE and could NOT get out of bed myself. I didn't really have any trouble with the handle on my recliner, but a bed? No way. I was at nearly 2 weeks before I could do it without help. I'm not even close to sleeping on my side yet. I'm hoping once my drains come out this week that will change. If not, I'll be spending a few more weeks in my recliner. Sometimes during the day I will nap in my bed for a couple of hours but I am sooooo stiff when its time to get out, makes it really tough. 

exbrnxgrl

My bed is quite high. I had a small step stool which made it very easy to get in and out of bed without during my arms. I also had strong abs, which helps. I had a wedge pillow with lots of pillows on top and at my sides to prop my arms. It look index like a reclining pillow thrown. I have a very comfy mattress and had no trouble sleeping. My drains came out after 10 days, but it was a while before I could side sleep again. Somehow, we all get through it!

ml143333

I had a BMX with immediate implants on 8/27. My first night home, I slept in my bed which is pretty high off the floor. My husband made large wedge for me so I was sleeping pretty close to sitting up. I went back to work on 9/15 and started sleeping without the wedge on 9/14. I started sleeping on my side sporadically last week. 

I would say sleeping in my bed wasn't always easy. I took my time getting up and didn't need any help getting out of bed. Oh...I had four drains in for 10 days.

You could always try the air mattress with a wedge, if it doesn't work, try a recliner cor a bit.

Bippy625

all great info. I see good ideas here!  I like the handle extension idea, and will warn hubby he is on duty after surgery. I will stock up on some pillows too. Thanks for the assists, i will stick with the bed and recliner.  

Christmas will be interesting this year!  

clmtootie

I don't think an air mattress would work at all.  I am now 4 weeks out from my BMX and still use pillows.  I don't have to use as many pillows as I was using the first couple of weeks though.  I also had to have help getting up the first week.  I do still sleep some nights in a large comfy chair with large footstool so I won't keep my DH awake.  I start out most nights in bed then end up in the chair later.   I still can't get comfortable in bed even 4 weeks out since I have always been a side sleeper and these "rocks" called tissue expanders make it impossible to sleep on my side!  

I highly recommend sleeping in a regular bed and/or a recliner.  Make sure you have lots of pillows!