Jaw Surgery Forums » Post-Surgery and Recovery Questions

Sleeping after jaw surgery

(13 posts)
12

  1. ak457127
    Member

    Hello there! My name is Amanda and I am getting lower jaw surgery in 5 1/2 weeks. I was wondering what is the "best" way to sleep when I get home from surgery. I have a few extra large pillows (the kind you get in the 'dormroom' section of stores). should i always try to make sure i am propped up, as if I'm almost sitting while I sleep? haha. i want to be comfortable, but I definitely do not want to injure myself in my sleep, so any tips would be appreciated.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  2. Brandon
    Site Administrator

    Hello Amanda,

    Sitting up will help with swallowing the first few nights, plus it will keep you from rolling over on your face. I slept in the hospital bed with it raised up.

    If you have any other questions, just let me know, and good luck with your upcoming surgery!

    I'm Brandon, the creator of JawSurgeryBlog.com. I personally had upper and lower jaw surgery on October 30, 2007. Thankfully, everything went beautifully, so I'm trying to make sure everyone else's surgery goes smoothly as well!

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Corrective-Jaw-Surgery/114627165257701
    Posted 2 years ago #

  3. Crys
    Member

    i haven't been able to get more than 30 or so minutes of sleep at any given time. I have my head propped up, but tend to wake up on my sides, and its hurting. I bought one of those reading loungy pillows but dont know what else to use. Any tips?

    Posted 2 years ago #

  4. scoopy
    Member

    THe first 10 days I used a bunch of pillows and one under each arm so I wouldn't slide down. The higher elevation of the pillows is great for the swelling and nasal congestion. When I got home (my surgery was out of state), I bought a bed wedge and it is great! I put my pillow on top of it and one under my legs and even though I am allowed to sleep on my back now (5 weeks post op), I know if I lay flat, I will roll on my side and that is still a no-no!

    Posted 2 years ago #

  5. ceanna
    Moderator

    The first few days I slept propped up on pillows in a sitting position. That was pretty uncomfortable and I wasn't able to get much sleep. I'm used to sleeping on my side with my face against the pillow. After awhile, I started to sleep lying on my back with two pillows under my head to keep my head elevated. This helped reduce the swelling. Even now (4 months post-op) I still like to sleep with my head slightly elevated, but I can sleep on my side now and I rest my face against the pillow, which is much more comfortable for me!

    Posted 2 years ago #

  6. jasonc
    Member

    Great tips everyone. I guess if one if experiencing nasal congestion than they should sleep as far upright as possible? I have horrible allergies and have a hard time breathing almost all damn day long haha.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  7. Crys
    Member

    did anyone's surgeon prescribe them sleep meds? I had heard that that was one of the meds people tend to get after jaw surgery, but I didnt get any. not being able to sleep is making this recovery hard for me. all i want is a couple of hours undisturbed.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  8. scoopy
    Member

    I got ambien about 2 1/2 weeks post op. I just could not sleep. I took a half of one nightly until this past week at 5 weeks.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  9. scoopy
    Member

    I wanted to mention, I have taken ambien before so I know how I reacted. My dr was not going to let me use it if I was one that "got up" and did anything while under the ambien influence. You don't want to fall or anything with a fragile jaw! Also, my husband would check on me throughout the night to make sure I hadn't slid down off my pillows or was laying on my face! That is why drs are reluctant to prescribe and mine waited until I was past the most fragile part of jaw healing (which is around 10 days).

    Posted 2 years ago #

  10. Jo
    Member

    maybe try sleeping on a recliner?? a GOOD one though, haha. I think I would form a old comforter around my pillows to act like a baby bumper so I would flip or flop anywhere, hahahaha.

    Hey!
    I am JoAnna-20 yrs. old, and I have a Class 3 under-bite.I'm having maxillofacial jaw surgery(the top and bottom jaw surgery-but I'll have my chin adjusted as well)and got my braces 5/21/10.
    My surgery date is Valentine's Day 2012. Super excited =D
    Posted 2 years ago #

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