I didn't have shoulder surgery but I did have a total knee replacement with a terrible complication. It was incredibly painful to try to sleep on my side or move my knee. The only way that I could sleep was in a recliner. I don't know if this would work for you but I thought I would share that with you.

Have been thinking of your upcoming 5/11 surgery. You will be great. As mentioned I had 2 shoulder surgeries last year. With the first one my arm was in a sling with my arm bent at elbow and pointing directly ahead for 6 weeks, 24 /7. Then with the reverse shoulder replacement a regular sling with a bump holding it about 4 inches from my stomach it felt like nirvana 🙂 . I slept in a recliner with both surgeries, propped up pillows supporting me for about 3 nights.After that I went back to my bed, slept on my back with no problems. You can sleep on your good side, your back, wouldn't suggest your stomach for a while because of the sling. Don't know who told you 6 months with no back sleeping but that certainly wasn't my experience. You may want to double check with your doctor and if that's the answer...get another opinion . Let us all know how it goes on the 11th. Both my surgeries were in the morning and I was home and hungry by late dinner. I could also have stayed in the hospital a night if I'd preferred. Did you talk to your doctor about a Nerve Block Catheter in your neck? Good luck. Sally

Hi @cattanzer, You will notice that I moved your comment along with @katrina123 and @itsally 's comments to a discussion regarding sleeping after shoulder surgery.
I have read that it is recommended to sleep in a recliner for the first couple of weeks. Did your physician suggest that?

What type of shoulder surgery are you having?

Hi - I had rotator cuff and biceps tenodesis surgery on both shoulders last year, 6 months apart. I was in a sling for about 7 weeks on each one. My surgeon told me to sleep wherever I could be comfortable and I personally found it way more comfortable to sleep in my recliner for the entire time I was in the sling. I could support my arm on a pillow and could even sleep on my side in my recliner. It was where I could get the most comfortable and the best sleep possible. I think you will find what works for you and every one of us are different- some can learn how to support your arm in bed and others in a recliner. Just try each and see where you can get most comfortable and the best sleep. Advice I was given by a friend was that if I did find my recliner more comfortable, spread a flat bed sheet on your recliner at night. That made it feel more like sleeping in my bed and was really a smart idea! Good luck!