Can I Sleep in an Adjustable Bed After Shoulder Surgery?

Can I sleep in an adjustable bed after shoulder surgery? The answer is yes.

People ask this because they don’t want to sleep in a recliner. They’re like, “Well if I have an adjustable bed that is that good enough.” It is for sure, but you don’t need an adjustable bed. You could sleep in your bed after shoulder surgery and make it an adjustable bed very easily by just putting one or two pillows up the backboard of your bed or against the wall.

You’re maybe up at a 20—or 30-degree angle—not much. Then put some pillows underneath your operative shoulder, which props you up. Take the sling off and lay on your side or your other side. You can find whatever position is comfortable for you.

But in general, we say that whatever position you’re most comfortable in. That’s the position you should sleep in. You can lay on your operative arm or your other operative side. I tell them, “You can sleep upside down for all I care as long as whatever position is comfortable.” You won’t damage the surgery I did by the position you’re sleeping. You need to find out what is comfortable in your sleep.