Ooops! My doctors didn’t give me any restrictions on sleep position and it never occurred to me to use a recliner. Yes, I’m a side sleeper and that’s what I did following surgery. My mastectomy was on my left side and I slept on the right side as I usually do. The drain was pinned to my shirt and was not an issue. I rolled out of bed so pushing on my arms wasn’t necessary. The limited amount of pain I had was handled with a combination of ibuprofen and Tylenol so I slept like a baby!

To be sure, side sleeping after surgery isn’t the answer for everyone. I was really fortunate that I had little pain even though I had 15 lymph nodes removed—6 cancerous. Continuing the normal side sleeping was emotionally and physically comforting for both my mind and body and made recovery easier for me. I’m just hoping it isn’t automatically excluded as an option! 🙂

Hey Michele!! I too am a side-sleeper which isn't "allowed" for the first few weeks after a mastectomy. The recliner and my mastectomy pillow (which has became my new best friend), worked best for me. The drains weren't as bad as one would think. Sending you strength, hope and prayers along your journey❤️.

I had the single mastectomy and lymph node removal (3 total) the area where the lymph nodes were removed was more painful that the mastectomy incisions site! Thank goodness for the small U-shaped pillow they gave me (shout-out to the volunteers who make these!). You place the pillow under your arm and it helps reduce the amount of pressure and friction from your arm. I had pain pills, but could manage with just OTC Tylenol. However, I would fall asleep and wake up when the meds had worn off. Having an ice pack handy- a few seconds on, then off, repeatedly- helped bridge the time gap until the next dose of meds kicked in!
Keeping you in prayers for every success with your upcoming surgery! Hugs!

I used the recliner and still had to use a pillow on either side of me to prevent trying to manuever into the side positions! Hugs!