Any suggestions on how to retrain sleep position?

Lovekitties
Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I am getting a colostomy (left side below the belt line) on March 19.

As silly as it sounds, one of my biggest worries at the moment is how the heck I am going to sleep...for years have been either a left side or stomach sleeper, and I figure neither of those positions will be advisable or possible after surgery.

Anyone out there have some suggestions on how to make sure I don't revert to these positions after surgery?

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

Marie

P.S. no bed partner other than 2 cats, and they don't snuggle...lol

Comments

  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    #2
    I had a colostomy and slept
    I had a colostomy and slept fine on my left side as well as on my stomach. The stomach was tricky= mostly bent my left leg at the knee and had a pillow under it so the bag had room to grow.
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #3
    Patteee said:

    I had a colostomy and slept
    I had a colostomy and slept fine on my left side as well as on my stomach. The stomach was tricky= mostly bent my left leg at the knee and had a pillow under it so the bag had room to grow.

    Thanks for the info
    Thank you for your response...I could just imagine myself sitting up sleeping in a recliner to keep from rolling over on the bag.

    Marie
  • Crow71
    Crow71 Member Posts: 679 Member
    #4
    Hey Marie - I've never slept
    Hey Marie - I've never slept on my stomach, but I can sleep on either side with my colostomy. It will be a little tender after surgery of course, but after you heal up you shouldn't have problems sleeping on your side.
    Roger

    P.S. That's with with Kim, one or two cats and one or two dogs. I'm just glad the chickens are still outside.
  • PamPam2
    PamPam2 Member Posts: 370 Member
    #5
    sleep
    Hi Marie
    I slept on my side when I had my ostomy too. It was actually better than on my back, kept the flow going down into the bag better, if I slept on my back it would sort of back up to the top of the bag and weaken the seal on my wafer. I slept on the couch after surgery, it was easier to get on and off than my high bed, and I used pillows to prop myself sideways, also, being on the couch kept me in one position, no room to turn over. Just kept everything I needed right there on top of and under my coffee table. I hope your surgery goes smoothly and recovery is fast for you.
    Pam
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #6
    Crow71 said:

    Hey Marie - I've never slept
    Hey Marie - I've never slept on my stomach, but I can sleep on either side with my colostomy. It will be a little tender after surgery of course, but after you heal up you shouldn't have problems sleeping on your side.
    Roger

    P.S. That's with with Kim, one or two cats and one or two dogs. I'm just glad the chickens are still outside.

    Thanks
    Hope you have a king sized bed with all those bed fellows to keep you company!

    Marie
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #7
    PamPam2 said:

    sleep
    Hi Marie
    I slept on my side when I had my ostomy too. It was actually better than on my back, kept the flow going down into the bag better, if I slept on my back it would sort of back up to the top of the bag and weaken the seal on my wafer. I slept on the couch after surgery, it was easier to get on and off than my high bed, and I used pillows to prop myself sideways, also, being on the couch kept me in one position, no room to turn over. Just kept everything I needed right there on top of and under my coffee table. I hope your surgery goes smoothly and recovery is fast for you.
    Pam

    Good Idea
    Thanks for mentioning the couch...I also have a higher bed...you are right about it helping to maintain a position.

    All good advice, and thanks to for the good wishes.

    Marie
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #8
    Lovekitties said:

    Good Idea
    Thanks for mentioning the couch...I also have a higher bed...you are right about it helping to maintain a position.

    All good advice, and thanks to for the good wishes.

    Marie

    It will probably take awhile after op for you to getcomfortable;
    you'll probably have to experiment what works for you, both when you have pain and after it subsides. I never slept on my back before colostomy so I don't now. I won't sleep on stomach (stoma is to left of my belly button)as if stoma produces it will get stuck in bag. I sleep usually on right side and give bag enough leeway to expand if I get gassy while asleep.I can sleep on left side and if I do I try to position bag so it can do its thing unobstructively. I might elevate it with a scrunched up t-shirt,etc. However you get comfortable for sleep, you will learn to live and thrive with a colostomy.....Best of results with your upcoming operation and recovery.......Steve

    PS:My cat, CAT, died right before Dx. I would have been concerned with her claws possibly puncturing plastic bag or what her reaction to bag would have been......Wish she were still here
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #9
    coloCan said:

    It will probably take awhile after op for you to getcomfortable;
    you'll probably have to experiment what works for you, both when you have pain and after it subsides. I never slept on my back before colostomy so I don't now. I won't sleep on stomach (stoma is to left of my belly button)as if stoma produces it will get stuck in bag. I sleep usually on right side and give bag enough leeway to expand if I get gassy while asleep.I can sleep on left side and if I do I try to position bag so it can do its thing unobstructively. I might elevate it with a scrunched up t-shirt,etc. However you get comfortable for sleep, you will learn to live and thrive with a colostomy.....Best of results with your upcoming operation and recovery.......Steve

    PS:My cat, CAT, died right before Dx. I would have been concerned with her claws possibly puncturing plastic bag or what her reaction to bag would have been......Wish she were still here

    Thanks for the reply
    You are right about differences between pain after surgery and later on. I understand a pillow will be my best friend for holding over surgery site when coughing.

    I do worry that I will revert to a 'not good position' while I sleep, but guess if it is a problem something (pain or bag rupture) will awaken me.

    So sorry about CAT, and I am sure that my two will be investigating the 'new me'. They are not too old to learn about the do's and don'ts, but am sure we will have some 'words' over it...lol.

    Thanks for taking the time to share with me and give your well wishes.

    Marie

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