If you normally sleep on your side, being stuck on your back after surgery can make an already difficult stretch of sleep even harder.
So when can you sleep on your side again?
There isn't one timeline that applies to every surgery. Some procedures allow side sleeping relatively early, while others require you to avoid certain positions while the surgical area heals. Your procedure, incision location, drains or other equipment, and your surgical team's instructions all matter.
Different operations affect different parts of the body, which is why a single side-sleeping timeline doesn't work well.
After some procedures, your care team may want you to keep part of your body elevated while you sleep. Other surgeries may require you to avoid putting pressure on the operated side or to use pillows or positioning aids in a particular way.
After other procedures, there may be fewer restrictions on sleeping position.
That variation is why instructions for sleeping after surgery should be based on the operation you actually had rather than a general rule about how many days have passed.
Before trying to sleep on your side, look at the instructions you received when you left the hospital or surgery center.
Look for guidance about:
If your instructions tell you to avoid a particular position, follow that restriction even if another position feels comfortable.
If you can't find any guidance about sleep position, that doesn't necessarily mean you have a restriction. It means your surgical team is the best source for whether your particular procedure requires one.
If your surgical team has not told you to avoid side sleeping, think about the mechanics of the position rather than relying on the calendar alone.
Ask yourself:
The goal isn't simply to find a position you can tolerate. It's to find one that also fits the recovery instructions for your procedure.
If you're not sure, ask your surgical team before changing your sleeping position.
They can, depending on your surgery.
Pillows can help support your body and keep you from unintentionally rolling into an uncomfortable position. Your care team may also recommend a particular pillow arrangement or positioning aid after certain procedures.
But there isn't one pillow setup that works for every operation.
Use pillows and positioning aids in a way that fits the instructions you were given rather than trying to recreate a generic postoperative sleeping position.
If sleep itself has become difficult during recovery, How to Sleep After Surgery can help you think through some of the other factors that may be disrupting your nights.
Pain can be useful feedback, but it isn't the only consideration.
If turning onto your side causes new or meaningfully worse pain, pulling around the surgical area, or makes it difficult to move safely, return to the position recommended by your care team.
Don't use comfort alone as proof that a position is safe, either. Some procedures have positioning restrictions even when the restricted position doesn't hurt.
If you're having increasing pain overall rather than discomfort only when changing position, see Pain After Surgery: What's Normal and What's Not for more guidance on interpreting postoperative pain.
Waking up in a different position can be unsettling, especially if you've been trying hard to follow postoperative restrictions.
What matters depends on your procedure and the instructions you were given.
If your surgical team specifically told you not to sleep on a certain side or in a certain position, reposition yourself when you notice and ask your team if you're concerned about what happened.
If you develop significant new pain, bleeding, a problem with your incision, or an issue with a drain or other equipment, contact your surgical team.
Recovery doesn't always happen in a straight line. Download the free SurgiNav Surgery Recovery Roadmap to understand the stages of healing and know what to expect after surgery.
There is no universal number of days or weeks you need to wait before sleeping on your side after surgery.
The right sleeping position depends on the procedure you had, the location of the surgical area, any drains or equipment you have, and the instructions from your surgical team.
Check your discharge instructions first. If you weren't given a restriction, consider whether you can move into and stay in the position safely without unwanted pressure or strain on the surgical area. If you're unsure whether side sleeping is appropriate for your particular recovery, ask your surgical team.
Recovery doesn't always happen in a straight line. The free SurgiNav Surgery Recovery Roadmap walks you through the stages of healing so you know what to expect and when to reach out to your care team.
Download the Free Surgery Recovery RoadmapThis article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always follow the instructions provided by your healthcare team.
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Educational information only. Always follow your surgeon's instructions.