Sleeping positions after a BMX

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WC3
WC3 Member Posts: 1,540
edited November 2018 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Was anyone able to sleep on their side after having a BMX?

I have problems sleeping on my back and my surgery date is approaching.

Also, is it really necessary to sleep sitting up, and if so, what did you use to facilitate that?

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  • star2017
    star2017 Member Posts: 827
    edited November 2018

    i slept in a chair for a few weeks after my mx. I had a chair that kind of cradles you, but a recliner/lazy boy would be great too.


    I was gifted an incline pillow which I used sometimes, but the chair was most comfortable.



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  • SimoneRC
    SimoneRC Member Posts: 419
    edited November 2018

    I am a total side sleeper and do not own a recliner. I bought the Contour Living Wedge system. Totally worked for me

    image

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  • NotVeryBrave
    NotVeryBrave Member Posts: 1,287
    edited November 2018

    I'm usually a side sleeper, too. I slept in my bed and just used pillows to support my position. I started off mainly on my back but raised up. After a couple of nights - I went to a position of kind of tilting to one side so that I wasn't as much on my back.

    The hospital gave me two tiny pillows. I think they were supposed to be for cushioning the seat belt. They worked really well for under my arms or alongside my breast if side lying.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited November 2018

    I think I stayed in the recliner a night or two, and thought phooey. I only sleep on my left side, I don’t change positions Ever. So with 4 drains and Spookie I went to bed. No extra anything. And slept like a brick. I had BMX.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited November 2018

    I had a bmx with one step recon. I sort of slept in a pillow throne. A wedge pillow topped with a regular pillow behind my back, stacks of pillows under each arm to support them at a comfortable height, and a pillow under my knees. It was kind of fun to gradually remove pillows as I healed. Different things work for different people but the healing period is usually quite short in the scheme of things. All the best.

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  • apatient
    apatient Member Posts: 22
    edited November 2018

    I am normally a side sleeper. I had BMX with tissue expanders and found it was impossible to sleep either on my side or flat on my back. I had to be on an incline. I tried a wedge pillow but found it unhelpful. For two weeks I got very little sleep. Then I had a great idea. We rented an automatic recliner from a medical supply store. Problem solved!!!!! I am 4 weeks out and still sleeping in this chair.

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  • mountainmama406
    mountainmama406 Member Posts: 99
    edited November 2018

    all good suggestions from above! I think you’ll be amazed at what your mind/body are capable of and will find comfortable while you’re recovering. With all that pillow support I found myself sleeping better than before and have kept a few around. You’ll be back to side or stomach sleeping sooner than you think :)

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited November 2018

    mountainmama,

    Yes, as a confirmed side sleeper, I was surprised at how well I did on my back, with my pillow throne of support. I too now have far more pillows on my bed than I did before bcsurgery. I love them!

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  • WC3
    WC3 Member Posts: 1,540
    edited November 2018

    Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

    I guess maybe I will try the wedge being my friend's mother has one she said she would give me.

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  • Dovely
    Dovely Member Posts: 91
    edited November 2018

    I am sleeping with one of those chair pillows in my bed, a throw pillow at the small of my back and these two kidney bean shaped small pillows given to me by the breast care center that I put on either side of my neck. A travel pillow would serve the same purpose. I’m partially upright but sometimes lean to one side or the other. I am a side/stomach sleeper so this has been a huge adjustment but I have gotten used to it and seem to be able to sleep pretty well, although I wake up in the night.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2018

    I am a side sleeper, too. But after my BMX I was able to sleep on my back with no problem. I did sleep inclined, though. We have a sleep number bed with an adjustable base. So I raised the head and feet. I think the key is to raise your head in some way whether it's with pillows, in a recliner, etc. You are less likely to roll on your side if you are inclined. Good luck with you surgery!! Sending you hugs!!

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