How To Sleep Sitting Up After Surgery

4 min read

Sleeping can be an issue after many surgical procedures, with many procedures requiring you to sleep in an upright position. Is this a major concern for you?

Sleeping sitting up can be pretty comfortable and have benefits. Sleeping in an elevated position in a recliner chair provides an ideal solution after surgery. If you prefer your bed, elevate the mattress by placing pillows under it, it provides more stable support, and you can still use pillows for comfort.

There are several strategies you can try to help you sleep upright after surgery:

  1. Use a wedge-shaped pillow: A wedge-shaped pillow can help elevate your upper body and make it easier to sleep in a upright position. These pillows are available for purchase at many retail stores or online.
  2. Use multiple pillows: If a wedge-shaped pillow is not available, you can try using multiple pillows to prop yourself up. Place the pillows behind your back and head to help support your body in an upright position.
  3. Sleep in a reclining chair: If you are unable to sleep in a bed, you may find it more comfortable to sleep in a reclining chair. Many chairs have adjustable backrests that allow you to find a comfortable angle for sleeping.
  4. Use a body pillow: A body pillow can help support your body and keep you in a comfortable upright position while you sleep.
  5. Talk to your doctor: If you are having difficulty sleeping upright after surgery, you should talk to your doctor or healthcare provider. They may be able to suggest additional strategies or techniques that can help you get a good night’s sleep.

Overall, it is important to find a comfortable and supportive position that allows you to sleep upright after surgery. Experimenting with different pillows, cushions, and chairs may help you find a position that works for you.

How can I sleep comfortably after hand surgery?

hand surgery

Hand surgery can be complicated, and the recovery time is quite long, so finding a way how to sleep after hand surgery is essential for your healing process and comfort.

The ideal position would be to sleep on your back with your hand elevated above your heart to reduce swelling after the surgical procedure.

To elevate your hand above your heart, place a suitable pillow or pillows into your armpit and rest your hand on the pillows.

This position will keep the swelling in check and prevent you from inadvertently knocking your hand and causing pain.

Alternatively, you can place a pillow on your chest and place your hand over the pillow. The position is about comfort, so choose which is best for you.

Pain can get worse at night so set yourself up for quality sleep. Avoid caffeine and sugary drinks that will keep you awake through the night.

Sleep regularly every night and avoid taking power naps throughout the day. Napping can be very disruptive for sleeping through the night.

Make your bedroom a computer and phone-free environment at bedtime. The light emitted by laptops and phones is similar to daylight and screws around with your circadian rhythm.

Read a book before sleep or listen to some relaxing tunes to calm your mind, so you fall asleep quickly.

Of course, use the prescribed painkillers even if you need to set the alarm to wake to keep the required schedule through the night.

How can I sleep comfortably after surgery?

Clearly, surgeries differ tremendously, and sleeping can become a major issue. However, you will need to find the best way to sleep after surgery that is comfortable for you.

Your doctor should give you specific instructions on the best way to sleep when you get home after leaving the hospital.

If you need to sleep elevated, sleeping in a reclining chair is comfortable. Sleeping in a recliner has a couple of benefits, you can find the perfect incline for you to sleep comfortably, and when the seat is in the upright position, it will be easier to get in and out of.

If you want to sleep inclined in bed, it seems easier to try and incline the mattress by propping the end of the mattress with pillows or rolled towels, or anything else that will provide adequate support.

By propping the mattress, you can still use pillows for comfort and support around you.

In some cases, you are not allowed to sleep on your side or stomach, say after abdominal surgery.

Place pillows under your knees if you are required to sleep on your back; pillows under the knees will reduce the strain on stomach muscles and align your pelvis.

How do you sleep propped up after surgery?

Many surgical procedures require you to sleep sitting up when you get home. Does it sound like a nightmare situation to you?

Deciding on how to sleep sitting up after surgery may be a daunting prospect for some folks.

It can be quite a comfortable position to sleep in and has benefits even if you have not undergone surgery.

How often do you sit in your comfortable chair or sofa at home and drift off to sleep? It’s not uncomfortable, and with pillows for support to prevent your head from flopping, you will easily find sleeping in a sitting position.

Sleeping sitting up is common and does not mean you cannot have some recline to aid your sleep. Sitting bolt upright would be an unreasonable proposition at the best of times.

If you have a reclining chair, you can sleep in the chair and introduce enough recline, so you are still upright, but you can rest easy.

You can still use pillows when sleeping in a reclining chair, and the pillows should be for support rather than placed behind your end.

Sleeping sitting up in bed is a little more challenging. There are two ways to tackle the problem. First, place enough pillows under your back to elevate your torso to the desired position. 

The problem with this method is pillows move around, and you could lose a pillow during the night, placing you in too much of a reclined position.

The second method is to palace packing on the end of the mattress to the desired incline position.

You can still use pillows for support and comfort, but you will find you can sleep comfortably with the mattress inclines.

Place a pillow under your knees for support, and you may want to place a pillow between your legs. A pillow between your legs will prevent you from crossing your legs and placing your stomach muscles under strain.

How to sleep comfortably upright after surgery.

Getting a good night’s rest sleeping upright may fill your heart with dread. Will you be able to sleep in an upright position?

Sometimes there is no choice, so it’s important to find a solution to how to sleep upright after surgery.

Actually, it’s not that bad, and you will soon become accustomed to sleeping upright despite your reservations.

The key to a good night’s rest when upright is to have just the right amount of recline and enough support from pillows.

Select pillows that offer support and comfort otherwise, you may find it hard to drift off to sleep.

Popular Posts You’ll Enjoy!