Those strides toward rest and sleep keep you going MMark. The recliner sounds like it was your ticket. Funny, we purchased a recliner for me which is electrically operated due to the failure of my cervical nerve routes and wanting to give me an easier go of operating it.......I found the sofa with pillows was the better bet for me and left the recliner to my wife. It is a novelty. Most of us like it.
May your healing an sleepy time continue to go well for you. I found after back surgery that sleeping on the back routine was out for me so I started sleeping astride a pillow on my side. Pillow between the knees gives a more neutral spine position. My preferred method now.
Hugz,