v shaped pillow

I hate taking meds, but there were a few times in bed where my friend percocet was the only thing that helped me sleep.

Yes, those V shaped pillows will help keep the pressure off your back.  There are also wedge-shaped pillows that keep your legs a little higher than the V shaped pillow.  Because I've always had bad knee and now both are replaced, I could never keep my knees bent all night witihout pain in my knees.  So I bought two wedge pillows and put them together (to make a rectangle shape) with a humongus rubber band.  They keep my legs even higher and it's easier on my knees.  But you definitely need something to elevate your legs to keep your back safe.  In fact, everyone should sleep with at least a pillow under their knees.  It's bad for the back to lay flat on your back.  Good luck with your surgery.  By the way, before you have it, when you go for your pre-op with your surgeon, be sure to ask what size your femur neck and what size is he putting in.  Make sure he measures!  I ended up with a leg length discrepancy because my surgeon didn't measure and he put in the wrong size!  I had to have a revision to put in the right size.

Hi tracey i had both my hips done at the same time so i had to lay on my back for a long time and i found a five foot pillow that kind of wraps round hour body so that your bottom is cushioned and off the bed if you know what i mean...very comfy i found...i was worried my husband would knock me in the night so helped that way too...hope that helps a bit ...debs

Hi Tracy, I also tried sleeping on my side before my op with no sccess, but had no problem at all afterwards.  I did not have any special pillows but tons of regular pillows.  I slept well right from the start, hope you are lucky too.

Hi Tracey, like you I worried about this more than the op. Fact is that when I got home it was the only comfortable position to sleep. I had lots of pillows and like others have mentioned try to support yourself well. 

If you try to sleep on your side you can't, first the operated side will feel sore where the wound is as your body weight will press down. Second if you try the opposite side gravity pulls and hursts.

SO, don't worry, you will be fine, bit alien at first but you will sleep as your body needs it for your recovery. 

I advise you don't bother trying to sleep on your back before as you won't get as good sleep because it will be strange for you. Wait till the moment arrives. Like I said. You won't have a choice so you will just get on with it. I'm 10 wks post op and been side sleeping since 5 weeks advised ok by my surgeon at the follow up appt. 

good luck with the op. I feel great. NO pain from day one x

What I can thoroughly recommend and I have been using it through the pre op painful nights is a memory foam shaped sponge to put between the knees this makes the knees stay in one place and post op it reminds me when I am asleep that I should not turn over to my side which I am dying to do.

I havent slept at all well but will doze off on the settee whilst sitting up.  I have a v shaped pillow and it does work well after the op under all of the pillows as a base.