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Side Sleeping With A Pillow - the RIGHT pillow

Posted , 7 users are following.

cindy6649
cindy6649

I'm 7 weeks post op and have been able to sleep on my good side for a couple weeks now. It was very difficult at first because I couldn't get the pillow to support my leg evenly so that it didn't hurt so much that it kept me awake. My therapist finally told me to use a body pillow that was long enough to fit between my knees and my ankles. The first night I tried it was the best night of sleep I have had since surgery. She said it was something about about the ankle falling inward a little that caused internal rotation in the hip that caused the pain. Maybe it just explains that I'm not very intelligent because I didn't figure that out for myself but, whatever the case, I can sleep now so I'm happy. The doctor told me to use it on both sides because it still helps with alignment even when lying on the operated side. If it helps me sleep, I'll certainly try it. 

I just wanted to share that in case there's even one other person out there who didn't figure this out for themselves. 😊

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Jodi-France
    Jodi-France cindy6649

    Posted

    Thanks, your message is a help to me. I have struggled through using combinations of about 7 different pillow, LOL! You know how that is trying to get jsu the right pillow to put just so in order to relieve the pain. I figure after 4 weeks I am close to being able to sleep on my oeprated side so no sense getting a body pillow now. But if you were recommended to still slepp with the pillow between your legs even when sleeping on the oeprated side then it makes sense for me to go ahead and get one.
    • cindy6649
      cindy6649 Jodi-France

      Posted

      At one point I had 12 pillows of various sizes in the bed with me. I just kept trying different combinations until I could get comfortable.

      Having a pillow between your legs is something that most doctors recommend or require for the first 6 weeks but I've heard that a lot of people continue using them for several months because they're comfortable and help you sleep. Even if you just use it for a few weeks now, this is when your body needs the rest the most because it's working so hard to heal. 

      Good luck. 

  • Amnesia3637
    Amnesia3637 cindy6649

    Posted

    Thank you for the advice about the pillow. I haven't been sawn up yet - another three weeks to go so am collecting all the paraphernalia needed. Which body pillow would you recommend? There are quite a few out there and I don't want to waste my money .
    • cindy6649
      cindy6649 Amnesia3637

      Posted

      There's definitely a lot of paraphernalia to gather. I had my first surgery a year earlier so I already had several things but it was a labral repair so some new paraphernalia was required this time. 

      I have two two body pillows and one is about 4 inches longer than the other one. You should get one that is long enough to fit between your ankles and knees comfortably and maybe even to support your arm so your upper body doesn't twist if you lean forward a little. I used the longer one at first so my whole body was straight but I've switched to the shorter one now because I don't need quite as much support for my arm now. 

      You might just have to hold one up in the store and see if you think it will fit. It might be a little weird to curl up on the floor to try it out so you should probably estimate. 😄  Or, maybe try it with two or more pillows at home and measure them to get an idea of the right size. 

      I wish you the best with your surgery!

  • Deljo
    Deljo cindy6649

    Posted

    I am about 9 wks since surgery. I have been able to sleep on my good side using a roll pillow between my knees since wk 3. It was a tip from my P,T. I'm still using it however it gets to be a pain when I wake up in the middle of the night and I'm on my back to find it in bed and put it between my knees, it wakes me up and its hard to go back to sleep. I'm waiting for the day when I don't need the pillow support. Last night I finally was able to sleep on my operated side without pain. I had anterior surgery so I don't require a pillow at all, but it sure helped in the beginning to turn over with it.
    • cindy6649
      cindy6649 Deljo

      Posted

      I use those roll pillows at therapy all the time. I like them a lot but they're not quite big enough to help me sleep. But, the most important thing is to find a pillow or pillows that works for you. Everyone is different so only you can know what works best for you. 

      I have little travel size pillows that get lost in the covers all the time. I've even had to get my husband to get up in the middle of the night and find them for me. He doesn't like those pillows very much. 😊

  • crissy_wissy
    crissy_wissy cindy6649

    Posted

    On other threads I have explained this too..Bought mine on ebay for less than £10 used it for a few weeks but now fine without ..although I still use a small pillow just between the knees ...more for comfort! ( now 15 th week but didnt side sleep at all till after 6 weeks but had the nody pillow ready!!)

     

    • lindylollypops
      lindylollypops crissy_wissy

      Posted

      What is the name of the actual pillow you bought Crissy? Is it called a body pillow? I have surgery in 8 weeks and trying to get organised! thanks
    • crissy_wissy
      crissy_wissy lindylollypops

      Posted

      Lookat ebay number  181277048869. this is similar...called body support or pregnancy pillow...I got the 5' one but 4' would have been OK..the hooky sticky thing was very useful...search ebay for dressing aids or something like that....let me know if you want any other info...
    • crissy_wissy
      crissy_wissy lindylollypops

      Posted

      this is the hooky stick thing ..simple but soooo useful for everything...and stuff you never thought of..ebay number 180933372427
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