lack of sleep

Since the day of my BA i haven't been able to get a proper nights rest.
My back is killing me!! My body is so tired, find myself waking up every hour needing to move around to relieve my back a little. I also noticed I've been trying to sleep on my side most of the time and that's not good because my incision begins to hurt.

And to top of all this, this binder cuts my air supply because its so dam tight... Going mad!
Someone please help! I won't be able to survive at work next week if this continues.

Oh dear...I remember that feeling well! I am 2 1/2 weeks post op now though and it honestly does get a bit better, but I think its probably more to do with working out better positions.
I have to have about 6 pillows and position them all around my head and down the side I am laying on so I dont roll over too far. I kind of hug one of them and place it under my boob to stop too much pressure from my body.
If you are taking painkillers make sure you take the stronger ones about 30 mins before going to bed. I started taking nytol for a few days after stopping my painkillers and I think it helped me drop off to sleep a bit.
Once you have stopped worrying about them moving or squashing them you will probably find it easier to drop off and also once the swelling goes down (took me about 2 weeks) it definitely is easier to get more comfortable and your breathing will ease if you are laying on your back x

Like jeld, I created a 'cuddle of pillows' lol. You know you don't need to be sat upright don't you, just 'propped up' with your head above your chest to help the swelling subside. I used my V-Pillow to prop me up slightly, then I had a pillow under each of my arms (this also stopped the natural urge to roll on my side) I also used another pillow under my knees to take the pressure off my back.

A hot water bottle in the small of your back also helps lots too and be sure to keep your pain meds timed so you're taking them exactly when you should.

If your breasts are hard and uncomfortable, ice packs are a god-send! if you don't have ice packs, a bag of frozen peas/corn/rice or anything like that will do, just lay them over the tops of your breasts and you'll get so much relief.

Be aware also of your posture, it's instinct to stoop to protect your boobs, but if you can try and walk upright, this really eases your back too.

Hope it eases up lovely. I think this is something most of us go through. xx

I do pretty much what cookie says but I have a hot blanket so no hot water bottle on. I asked for 3 days worth of sleeping tablets when I first left hospital. Had a few restless nights so have taken ASDA's sleep aid since. Its amazing. xxx

Oh Hun its really horrible when you're not able to sleep, I went through restless sleepiness nights for about 2 weeks. I got really stressed out and questioned if it was actually worth having the BA.

But honestly babes it will get better, I can't really offer any other advice but just wanted to reassure you it will get easier.

Xxxx

Thanks for the advice ladies... tried it all last night and still managed to wake up everyhour on the hour with back pains... im seeing the nurse tomorrow to get my sutures checked out, will definitely be asking for advice and also muscle relaxantes (i can feel the muscle contract sometimes... its creepy). Guess people at work just better not **naughty word** me off next week because I'll be all grumpy and sleep deprived.

Is there anyway you could take another few days / week of work so you can rest up a little more?

Nope... im practically holding the fort at work next week... everyone is off... sucks.

Just don't over-do things Alex.... Listen to your body and if you're finding work difficult which you might do especially with the lack of sleep on top of your body still healing, then you'll have to call it a day and let someone else hold the fort like it not babe or you could end up back in a hospital bed.

I know that sounds harsh sweetness but it's just so important to put yourself first, especially after just having surgery, so listen to your body, it'll tell you when you've had enough babes. xx

I know, cookie. im feeling fine apart from the sleep deprivation. i only take the painkillers before sleeping to ensure i don't wake up in pain. Although, my incision sometime itches, have to content myself with rubbing the area over my bra (that sounds weird lol). If it gets too much next week i will go off sick, to be entirely honest my health comes first even IF i did decide to do this to myself.

aw hun, I suffered trrible with bac pain after my op as well. I used a hot water bottle all the time and took pain killers for my back. I eventually realised it was my posture during the day that was giving me back pain. My new boobs were making me hunch over while stood up or at down it's a protective stance most of us seem to take early pot op. Make yourself awar of your posture and force yourself to tand and sit a little straighter, it doesn't have to be poker straight but stopping yourself from hunching your shoulders and your back really does help.

Hi Alex,

How are you now with the sleep, are you still sleeping upright? x

Hey Loobs, still hard to sleep on my back, i do it for as long as i can and then sleep slightly sideways to relieve some of the pressure. nurse said i was ok to sleep on my side if i felt like i could... but she would prefer for me to sleep on my back only 3 days left lol. How are you sleeping? Any trouble?

Oh did she, well only three days to go! Surprisingly I'm not sleeping to bad. To my amazement! Still terribly bloated though could just about get myself in my work trousers this morning! Haha! X

Hi AlexC, you sound exactly like me. I'm already one month post-op and I'm still sleeping propped up because I'm scared to lie flat. I only tried it once and I paid for it the whole morning!! I used to have more back pain than anything else, it was surprising how much my back used to hurt more than the boobs themselves. I forgot when it was the last time to have a proper sleep. You need to have some patience, you're still in the early days. You will feel MUCH BETTER when they remove the binder, I promise

hey ladies ive been off this for a few days as i have had to come back to work....which to be fair aint been so bad but exhausted when im getting home at nights i have been leaving the office a bit earlier than i should lol



im still not having a full nights sleep and so scared to sleep on my side im still using my v pillow too...and pillows at each side of me!!! hopefully this will get better the next few weeks....



ive got my first post op appointment tomorrow which i am looking forward to as i have a few questions!



Hey loobs how you feeling now??? xx

Loobs, at least you don't need to ask other people to button up your trousers cause everytime you try your muscle starts to hurt...my poor dad (embrassing lol)

Xaxa - i have 11 days until i can remove this thing!! Can't wait! Im all sore on the sides and on my arm pits from the binder. its worse than the actual BA surgery.

Xx

hey alex c, why did you need a binder...sorry for being nosey just curious to be honest???? xx

Norma - Apparently its to help the implants settle into a more natural position. Tbh all i know is that its annoying!! lol

ohh right yeah sounds it....well ive just been told to ewaer my sports bra 24/7 for 2 months!!!!!!!!!!!! changing daily of course lol! ah well hunni good luck wit that and happy healing! x

Norma, do you have to come back down to Birmingham for your appiontment? Ive got mine tomorrow. Im feeling tonnes better than I did thank you...

Alex, OMG that is embarrassing! hahaha!



xx

Awe glad to hear your feeling better loobs, no my app is in glasgow so not to bad, my 3 month check up with the surgeon is in manchester which again isn't just as bad as going all the way back down to birmingham. Xxx

Alex-C wrote:Xaxa - i have 11 days until i can remove this thing!! Can't wait! Im all sore on the sides and on my arm pits from the binder. its worse than the actual BA surgery.

Xx

I solved that problem by putting some talcum powder under each armpit and then I took 2 round cotton pads and placed them over the binder (one under each arm pit, between the binder and your skin). Until week 3 I also found it painful to fasten my trousers. Found a trick for that too (lol), try to sit down and breathe in. Don't know why but it helps.

Haha thanks xaxa I'll try that out! Btw love your bra, looks comfy :thumbs:

Thank you Alex :o) It's a Lonsdale sports bra and I bought it from sportsdirect.com. Let me know if you need more tips & tricks (LOL). Did you try scratching your back with a wooden spoon yet?? Feels so good