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