Post-Surgery Sleep: Is It Normal To Sleep All Day?

Sleep is very important after surgery, as this is when your body does most of its healing. It is normal to feel tired after surgery, and many people experience insomnia or fatigue. This can be due to pain, medication side effects, anxiety, or the hospital environment. Generally, insomnia after surgery lasts a few days to a week, but it can persist for longer in some cases. It is important to rest and listen to your body, but also to move around when you can to encourage blood flow and build strength.

The importance of rest after surgery

Resting after surgery is vital to ensure a safe recovery. Pushing yourself too hard after a procedure can cause immediate or long-term physical complications. Here are some reasons why rest is so important:

Sleep is Important for Healing

Doctors stress the importance of rest after surgery because your body does the majority of its healing while you sleep. Your body and mind will feel tired as it signals that your body has work to do. It is important to take a nap whenever you need to and to ensure you are getting enough sleep.

Avoid Complications

Any procedure involving anaesthesia or an incision carries the risk of complications and infections. Infections occur in around 5% of all surgeries and up to 33% of abdominal surgeries. Lying in bed for too long can also trigger problems such as blood clots and muscle weakness, so it is important to move around when you can.

Manage Pain

After surgery, you may experience discomfort or pain at the site of the incision. Resting allows the body to release endorphins, which are natural pain relievers, alleviating discomfort.

Side Effects of Medication

You may need to take medication to manage pain after surgery. These medications can affect your motor skills and your emotional and mental clarity, so it is important to rest and stay at home.

Emotional Wellbeing

Resting after surgery is beneficial for your emotional wellbeing. Going through surgery and the recovery period can be mentally and emotionally taxing. Rest will provide an opportunity for relaxation and recuperation, allowing you to recharge both physically and emotionally.

Readjusting to Normal Life

Surgery can be stressful, and many patients struggle with emotional aspects for weeks or months after their procedure. Rest is important to give you time to heal mentally and rediscover a sense of normality.

Factors that cause fatigue after surgery

Feeling tired after surgery is a normal response of the body to the stress it undergoes during surgery. Here are some factors that can cause fatigue after surgery:

• Type of Surgery: The type of surgery you undergo plays a crucial role in determining how long post-surgical fatigue lasts. More complex and extensive surgeries tend to result in longer recovery times and increased fatigue. For instance, recovering from major surgeries like open-heart surgery or organ transplants may take several weeks or even months.
• Age and Health: Your age and overall health condition also impact the recovery process. Younger individuals with no underlying health issues generally recover faster than older patients or those with pre-existing medical conditions. Good preoperative health can reduce the overall fatigue duration.
• Surgical Techniques: Advances in surgical techniques have reduced the invasiveness of some procedures. Minimally invasive surgeries often result in shorter recovery times and less post-surgical fatigue compared to traditional open surgeries.
• Anesthesia: The type of anesthesia used during surgery can affect postoperative fatigue duration. Although uncommon, some patients may experience lingering effects that contribute to prolonged fatigue.
• Complications: The occurrence of complications during or after surgery can prolong the recovery process and increase post-surgical fatigue. Infections, excessive bleeding, or other unexpected issues can delay your return to normal energy levels.
• Pain Medication: Certain drugs used to control pain can cause fatigue. This includes opioids, which are known to cause drowsiness, and non-opioid narcotics.
• Iron-Deficiency Anemia: Anemia is common after surgery due to blood loss, and it generally improves once your body builds up a new supply of red blood cells. However, the most common cause of anemia is a lack of iron in the blood, which can occur due to poor nutrition following surgery or certain procedures that affect iron absorption.
• Postoperative Infections: Fatigue is a key symptom of postoperative infections. Pneumonia is a potential complication, especially for those who have been on a respirator for a long period. Wound infections can also cause fatigue, along with other symptoms such as fever, chills, pain, redness, and discharge.
• Depression: Major depression is common after major surgery, and it can be caused by fears about illness or death, as well as financial and emotional strain. Even if you are physically recovering, depression may leave you lacking the energy to get out of bed. It also makes people less likely to eat well or follow medical advice, and it increases the risk of alcohol misuse, all of which contribute to fatigue.

How to manage insomnia after surgery

There are several reasons why you might experience insomnia after surgery. Firstly, the hospital environment can be disruptive, with frequent vital sign checks, blood draws, and nighttime treatments. The lights, sounds, and overall busyness of the hospital can make it challenging to get continuous sleep. Additionally, post-surgical pain, medications, and stress can also contribute to insomnia.

Management Tips for Insomnia After Surgery:

• In the hospital: If you are staying overnight in the hospital, consider packing sleep supports such as earplugs and an eye mask to block out disruptive lights and sounds. You can also bring your pillow and comfortable pyjamas for added familiarity and comfort. Discuss your pain management options with your doctor if you are concerned about the impact on your sleep.
• At home: Once you are home, you have more control over your sleep environment and variables. It is important to keep your room cool, dark, and quiet. Continue using sleep aids like eye masks and earplugs if they help. Avoid large meals before bed, and use blue light-blocking glasses when watching electronics. Establish a relaxation routine before bed, and maintain a consistent sleep-wake schedule. Incorporate stress management techniques throughout the day to reduce overall stress levels.
• Sleep hygiene: Good sleep hygiene is crucial. Stick to a normal bedtime and sleeping pattern, avoiding excessive napping during the day. Limit caffeine intake, especially in the afternoon and evening, and end your screen time at least two hours before bedtime. Relax your body with a warm shower or bath (if allowed), and cover windows to block out any light.
• Sleep position: Depending on the type of surgery, you may need to sleep in a specific position to facilitate healing and reduce discomfort. For example, facelift patients typically sleep on their backs with their heads slightly elevated, while tummy tuck patients sleep with their knees elevated. Consult your surgeon for guidance on the ideal sleep position for your procedure.
• Medication adjustments: If medications are interfering with your sleep, discuss this with your doctor. They may adjust the dosage, switch you to a different drug, or change the timing of your dose. Do not alter your medication without consulting your healthcare provider.
• Non-opioid pain relievers: If pain medications are the main issue, consider switching to a non-opioid pain reliever like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). However, keep in mind that over-the-counter pain relievers may not be as effective as prescriptions for post-surgical pain.
• Contact your surgeon: Your plastic surgeon is your best resource for personalized advice based on your specific procedure and medical history. They may recommend adding an over-the-counter sleep aid or resuming any sleep medications you had previously stopped.

When to Seek Professional Help:

While insomnia after surgery typically resolves within a week, it is important to be vigilant for signs that it may require medical attention. Consult your healthcare provider if you experience insomnia past the first week of recovery, daytime fatigue that affects your activities or functioning, challenges with concentration or memory, symptoms of depression or anxiety, or new physical issues like high blood pressure.

Insomnia after surgery is a common occurrence, often related to the hospital environment, pain, medications, and stress. By implementing the management strategies outlined above, you can improve your sleep quality and enhance your overall recovery process. Remember to prioritize rest and listen to your body's cues during this time.

The impact of surgery on mental health

Sleep is very important after surgery, as this is when the body does most of its healing. However, it is also common to experience insomnia after surgery due to pain, medication, new anxiety, and the hospital environment. This can have a detrimental effect on mental health.

Undergoing surgery can be mentally and emotionally taxing, and rest will provide an opportunity for relaxation and recuperation, allowing you to recharge both physically and emotionally. It offers a sense of comfort and reassurance, fostering a positive mindset that is conducive to healing and overall well-being.

However, people with serious mental illness (SMI) have significantly worse surgical outcomes than the general population, including greater post-operative morbidity, longer hospital stays, and more readmissions. There is a perceived lack of recognition of mental ill health by healthcare professionals, and patients with SMI are often treated differently from those with physical health problems. This can lead to feelings of alienation and social isolation.

In addition, the hospital environment itself can be triggering for people with SMI, with busy, noisy surroundings and a sense of being rushed. This can contribute to symptoms of mental illness and make it difficult for patients to raise concerns about their mental health.

How to manage post-surgical fatigue

Rest

Listen to your body and allow yourself to rest. Your body needs to heal, and this takes a lot of energy, so don't feel guilty about taking it easy. However, do try to move around a little, as per your doctor's advice, to get your blood flowing and build strength.

Nutrition

Eat a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals to aid your body's healing process and reduce fatigue. Iron-rich foods such as spinach, tuna, chicken, and nuts are particularly beneficial. Consult a healthcare professional for personalised dietary recommendations.

Physical Activity

Gradually reintroduce physical activity, following your surgeon's advice. Exercise can improve circulation, boost your mood, and reduce fatigue.

Medication

Take any pain medication or other drugs prescribed by your doctor to manage discomfort and tiredness. However, only take the amount you need, as too much can increase fatigue.

Emotional Support

Don't underestimate the emotional toll surgery can take. Seek support from loved ones or a therapist to help you cope with the psychological aspects of recovery.

Sleep

You may experience insomnia after surgery due to pain, medications, anxiety, and the hospital environment. If you're still in the hospital, consider bringing sleep aids such as earplugs and an eye mask. Once you're home, create a comfortable sleep environment by keeping your room cool, dark, and quiet.

Hydration

Drink plenty of water to improve your energy levels. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can cause energy crashes.

Frequently asked questions