When Can I Sleep on My Side After Breast Augmentation?
Posted September 17, 2024 in Breast Procedures
Breast augmentation can be a life-changing surgery: it can enhance your feelings of femininity, restore your confidence in your appearance, rejuvenate your figure after pregnancy, or bring balance to your overall body contour. However, many patients don’t think about the reasoning behind some of your surgeon’s post-procedure recovery guidelines. In this blog, we’ll address why sleeping on your back is essential after breast augmentation, the timeline for when you can return to sleeping on your side, and practical tips to make sleeping more comfortable during recovery.
Why Do I Have to Sleep on My Back After Breast Augmentation?
There are several reasons your surgeon requires that you sleep on your back during your initial recovery from breast augmentation.
Ensuring Optimal Results
Sleeping on your back keeps pressure off your newly placed implants, helps ensure your implants settle into place properly, and allows for scar tissue formation. Sleeping on your side too soon after breast augmentation could lead to complications such as implant displacement (where your implants settle into the wrong place) and negatively affect your results. It’s important to understand that these complications can lead to additional surgeries and prolonged recovery. Therefore, it’s imperative you follow your surgeon’s instructions for a successful recovery.
Minimizing Swelling
You will have significant swelling for the first week or so after breast augmentation. Sleeping on your back with your upper body elevated helps to minimize swelling and limit fluid buildup. It also makes it easier to get out of bed without too much chest engagement or movement.
Avoiding Complications
A vital piece of your breast augmentation recovery is the formation of a scar tissue capsule around your implants. This capsule helps keep your implants in the right place. Improper scar tissue formation can cause breast deformity, implant displacement, discomfort, or capsular contracture. Sleeping on your back also helps limit the buildup of excess fluid and swelling, encouraging circulation and fluid drainage.
Timeline For Returning to Side Sleeping After Breast Augmentation
Weeks One and Two
Sleeping on your back is mandatory during this initial phase of your recovery. Keeping your upper body elevated will help reduce swelling, and some people find it helpful to sleep in a recliner for optimal comfort. Your body is at its most vulnerable during these first couple of weeks, so following your surgeon’s instructions is crucial for ensuring proper healing and achieving the best results.
Weeks Three and Four
While you will likely be feeling much better and sleeping more comfortably, it is still important to sleep on your back as your body continues to heal. If you have been sleeping in an elevated position, you may start to test if sleeping flat on your back is comfortable. However, even if you’re feeling good enough that you think you’re ready for side sleeping, your surgeon must clear you before doing so.
Weeks Six Through Eight
At this point in your recovery, you should be feeling almost back to normal and settling back into your everyday routine. Your surgeon will likely approve of you gradually transitioning to side sleeping at this time, giving you guidelines to ensure that you continue to heal properly and without pain or complications.
Week Eight and Beyond
By week eight following your breast augmentation, you should be able to return to all of your pre-surgery activities, as well as sleep comfortably in your preferred position.
Tips For Transitioning to Side Sleeping After Breast Augmentation Recovery
Supportive Pillows
Placing pillows under your chest and between your knees can help keep your body aligned and support your breasts so you can rest comfortably. It may take a bit of experimenting to get it right, but you’ll know what’s best for you when you’re finally able to sleep comfortably on your side. Wearing your compression garment is also an important part of side sleeping, as it, too, will give your breasts much-needed support and help in reducing swelling and promoting proper healing.
Elevation
Elevating your body using extra pillows or a wedge can help alleviate some pressure on your breasts, add additional support, and keep swelling at a minimum—all of which will contribute to a better night’s sleep.
Listen to Your Body
When transitioning to side sleeping after breast augmentation, it’s essential to listen to your body. Start slowly, laying on your side for short periods to see how it feels and adjusting your pillows to ensure your chest is fully supported. If you experience significant discomfort or notice changes in the appearance of your breasts after sleeping on your side, contact your surgeon immediately.
Be Patient
While it can be challenging to wait and see the final results of your breast augmentation and get back to your regular sleeping position, patience is a must. Trust your surgeon’s training and experience and follow their recovery instructions to the letter. Be aware of how your body feels, and be gentle with yourself as you recover.
Learn More About Breast Augmentation in Beverly Hills
Breast augmentation can be a transformative surgery in so many ways, giving you the confidence you never knew you had. Dr. Josef Hadeed is a double-board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive training and experience in breast augmentation. He stays on the cutting edge of plastic surgery techniques and technology to ensure his patients get the finest care and the beautiful results they deserve.
Call our office today at (310) 970-2940 to schedule your consultation or complete our online contact form.
