sleeping on your side after gallbladder removal?

Posted , 3 users are following.

I wondered how long it was painful to sleep on right side after gallbladder removal for others? I am weeks into recovery and doing all normal activities now but this still bothers me and I am wondering why it would if I am recovered. Is it something that goes on indefinitely? I am a side sleeper and can't control that I do turn on to my right side during the night. Thanks for any input on your own experience!

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Edited

    i still cant sleep on either side at all after four weeks because of a burning, tugging sensation in my stomach. i also have it when getting out of bed after being on my back all night.

    its causing me back issues and loss of sleep as im so uncomfortable. honestly this surgery is the worst thing ive ever done.

    • Posted

      I woke up in pain again this morning was on my right side. I tend to agree this has been a rotten recovery I know my family assumes I am recovered as I am doing everything but it is not all about that and I don't talk about it they don't really want to hear that is why I came on this site. I sneeze and I feel pain under incision and I don't understand this so many weeks later 😦 The wiry stitches are still sticking out of 2 of my 5 incisions and they catch on things because I am a diabetic and also have cataracts I can't trim them very safely I am wondering when they will come out it does not seem like thread it is thicker although I know it must be. I only slept about 4 hours and it is a Saturday I hope we both feel better but I am questioning when if not by now!

    • Edited

      i have a wire like poke coming out of one of mine too. i cant trim it its too hard and theres still a scab there. everything i read before the op said how quick recovery was.. i think its bs! the people who say they are fully healed in a week are either liars of super human.

      it can take 6/8 weeks for stitches to fully fall out or be absorbed by the body so i wouldnt worry just yet.

    • Edited

      Okay thanks for that. It does help to know I am not alone in this. I know people make it sound like it is nothing and then that is what you expect. I will try not to worry so much as it really isn't helping anything!

    • Posted

      I slept on my left side about 3 weeks after and I still try to keep to that side but I will switch to my painful side sometimes in the night and wake up after a while no idea how long it is.

    • Edited

      i still cant. i get this painful pulling in my lower stomach. like something is about to tear.

    • Posted

      It has been a couple of weeks since I posted that and just wanted to say I can now sleep on my right side again without pain so I guess I just needed more time than some.

  • Edited

    hey are you still having trouble sleeping on your side?

    I am 1 month post-op and for the first week i had to sleep on my back because of the pain. I am a side sleeper and mainly sleep on my right side so i was really struggling to get comfortable. The solution i went with was to gradually start sleeping on my left side, it helped to put a pillow under my stomach and one against my back for full support and my head slightly elevated. I had the same tearing sensation and this method allowed me to sleep with minimal pain. I now unconsciously roll over to my left side now without noticing any pain. Just take it slow and you'll be able to sleep on your side again, just have to give the body time to heal and remember that everyones recovery is different and what might be easy for others might not be for you.

    recommend seeing your doctor if you have concerns though

    • Posted

      Hi thanks I had that same idea with the pillows but I managed to move them in the night. I am now able to sleep on my right side again so I guess I just needed to give it a little more time. I did not know it was okay until I did move onto my side in the night and was not woke up due to pain now I am back to my regular side sleeping 😃

    • Posted

      I also didnt notice it was okay either until i slept on that side without knowng! thats great to hear that its all going well 😃

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