Sleeping after your hair transplant

[Chanter414]

Hello All,

I'm due to have a large strip surgery in the coming weeks, I was wondering how people managed to sleep at night as I'm a light sleeper as it is and I know how the body needs rest to recover from any type of trauma. Could lack of sleep have a detrimental affect on the growth and healing of the linear strip scar? Would it be advisable to take a sleeping aid such as Valium? Or is this a no go for safety reasons?
I want the best possible outcome with maximum help from myself to aid my body's recovery. I read the long thread on food and healing by Topccat which I've noted certain foods that I need to add to my diet, very helpful thread which I recommend everyone to read. How have you slept after surgery? All advice and experiences appreciated.
Regards Chanter.

 

[garageland]

Hi Chanter,

I won't kid you by saying it will be easy, I am a very light sleeper and have difficulty sleeping after a transplant certainly for the first few days. You will be best to surround yourself with pillows and try to sleep with your head elevated so you are not resting on any of the recipient areas and not putting too much pressure on the scar.

Have two pillows behind you and one under each arm is how I slept or tried to sleep for the first 4-5 night if you are having work all over your head, bit like making an armchair of pillows, if that makes sense! If you are having work into the front you can lay on your back after the first few days. Use a travel pillow also as you will be putting too much strain on your neck and will make this stiff.

Ask the clinic for a sleeping tablet I used them for several days and it really helped me. You will be given a valium for the surgery, every clinic uses different antibiotics so check with them what sleeping tablets you can take.

Lack of sleep won't affect your growth it will just make you feel groggy for longer.

 

[Bigmac]

Good advice from Garageland, sleeping will be uncomfortable for a few days but it is worth it, all the best with your upcoming surgery.

 

[Chanter414]

Appreciate the reply Garageland, I am having the whole top surface area of my scalp transplanted. I'll ask the clinic what medications they recommend to aid my sleep.
Thanks Bigmac for the well wishes.
Here's hoping!!

 

[topccat29]

Some of these bizarre procedures I have had in my past I slept in a recliner, not easy but possible.

 

[Chanter414]

Looks like whatever I do it's going to be an uncomfortable few nights.

 

[janna]

The painkillers can cause drowsiness so maybe it'll help. I'd speak to your physician and let him/her know that you're a light sleeper. He may advise you to take some sleeping aid for the first few nights, especially if you're anxious about it.

 

[Chanter414]

Thanks Janna will do, It is a stressful process deciding if I've made the right call! I'm 100% sure now that I have. I'm getting quite excited at the thought of having hair again.