If I don’t follow the rules will my leg fall off?

I've only had knee replacements. I had to sleep on my back too for a while but, after the op(s), it was academic. I simply couldn't sleep on my side. Too painful and uncomfortable. I'd sleep as long as I could manage then would get up and go to sit in my lounger. That was fine and I'd often drop off again there and give DH a fright when he'd find me there in the morning snoring my head off. Time passes though and I soon found sleeping back to normal. You will too! Good luck.

A friend dislocated her new hip because she didn't follow the rules! Severe pain and another op convinced her to behave !

I found that sleeping on my back was hard , but I got a foam wedge and slept in a reclined position rather than flat , but .. oh .. the relief when I was able to turn on my side ( with a pillow between my Knees)
Better than dislocation , which is not a scare thing but real

Another side-sleeper here. Could a pillow under your knees help with sleeping on your back? One thing I've heard from a friend is not to sleep on the side of the new hip but I expect you won't be doing that anyway due to long habit. Best wishes for a full recovery.

I'd follow the rules they have set out for you. I found it hard at first sleeping on my back but pretty quickly got used to it. A hip dislocation is quite easy to do in the early days after surgery and everything they advise is to make sure you recover well.

I had a new right hip 7 weeks ago. Was told by surgeon and physio that there was no longer felt to be any reason to sleep on your back, just sleep in any position you find comfortable. I slept on my left side after the first night, with a pillow between my knees for the first couple of weeks. Couldn't turn onto my right side until week five as it felt very bruised until then. Am now pain free. But I was very good about following the rules re doing the exercises and also the lovely afternoon nap! Post op check up is on Tuesday so I hope I am told all is well, it certainly feels it.

Dislocation of your new hip replacement can be exceedingly painful and as it has been loosened it is more likely to pop out again unless you take very good care. A revision of your hip is the last resort and you do not want that. I have PMed you.

I had a hip replacement in 2016. Yes, it was hard and uncomfortable sleeping on my back but it is really only a short length of time to get a good outcome.
To improve my comfort I bought a brick shaped pillow with a washable cover to prop under my knees as that felt easier. Also I had similar pillows for my heels as I found they got rather tender.
Good luck and do the exercises and all will be well two months after the op.

GreenGran78 I do not know if anybody has told you but it takes a full year to get back to normal. You have to do the exercises, follow instructions and take care!

One can change, for years I was a curled up side sleeper but trouble with slipped discs over the years made for problems. Once I had found a really good mattress that supported and cushioned me I quickly got used to sleeping on my back ....which has the added benefit of being better for the complexion! .... fewer creases.

Thanks to all of you for your replies. I will just have to find the best way to get as comfortable as possible. I have almost 2 weeks to experiment before my op.
Mrs Jamjam - it's good to know that you are pain-free so quickly. After struggling to get about for so long, it's almost impossible to visualise getting back to normal mobility again. The thought of walking and sleeping like I used to is pure bliss! Good luck with your check-up.
HildaW I don't think that changing my sleeping position will do my face any favours, but I can always hope!

I bought a ‘V’ shaped pillow and nestled into that. It wasn’t long before I found my feet if you’ll pardon the pun. ?

The replacement is one of the best things that have happened for me. I now horse ride, jog and have climbed a small mountain. Freedom returned!!!

Had my left hip done ages ago, never could sleep on my back, but after the operation I was so tired I could have slept on a clothes line. Just be very careful, do what they tell you and you will be so pleased you have had it done. It is amazing what you can do if you have to. Good luck to you GreenGran78 you will soon being running the marathon

ohmother - that was going to be my advice- a V shaped pillow is an amazing help if you have to lie on your back, and a rolled up towel to put under knees too.