How to Sleep After Breast Augmentation Surgery — What You Need to Know
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Restful sleep is vital after undergoing breast augmentation surgery, or any breast operation, for that matter. However, many patients may find it difficult to get decent sleep during recovery, especially if they're used to lying on their stomachs. In this article, we share all you need to know on how to sleep after breast augmentation surgery.
How to Sleep After Breast Augmentation Surgery
Complete recovery time for breast augmentation generally takes 4-6 weeks, although this period can vary from patient to patient. You will need to avoid strenuous physical activity, take things easy, rest, and get sound sleep for this duration.
When you sleep, your body undergoes an amazing process of healing, rejuvenation, and repairing injured tissues — essentially helping you recover faster, decrease pain, and avoid post-op blues. Here are ways how to sleep after breast surgery:
Avoid lying on your stomach or your side.
Due to the nature and position of the surgery, it's best to avoid sleeping on your stomach or side for the first few weeks post-operation, as they may put tension on your breast implants and incisions. The best sleeping position for your case would be to sleep on your back.
If you're a stomach or side sleeper, you may want to devote a few nights to getting accustomed to lying on your back before the surgery.
Keep your upper body elevated.
While sleeping flat is generally alright, having your upper body elevated when you sleep is recommended. Use pillows or sleep in a recliner for this position.
The elevation is essential to reduce swelling, minimize fluid buildup, promote blood circulation, and keep your breasts in a more natural position. If you've ever wondered how to get out of bed after breast augmentation surgery, sleeping with an elevated upper body (head and shoulders) can also help. It improves mobility by decreasing the use of your arm and chest strength to get out of bed.
Use extra pillows for support.
Aside from using pillows for elevation, other patients also use special positioning pillows to ensure they stay in the correct sleeping position. These are typically positioned:
● under the arms to keep the body positioned correctly;
● under the knees to maintain proper back alignment and ease lower back discomfort; and
● around the neck to prevent the head from rolling to one side and provide support.
More Tips to Be Comfortable After Breast Surgery
● Wear a supportive surgical bra or sports bra when you sleep to help hold your breasts in place, relieve tension on your incisions, decrease swelling, and enhance overall recovery.
● Take a warm shower (but not a bath) in the evening to help you decompress and relax, leading to better sleep.
● Doing a light walk throughout the day provides several benefits, such as helping with circulation, reducing the risk of developing blood clots, and keeping you from becoming stiff and achy from immobility.
● Stay off the usual sleep disruptors like caffeine, alcohol, and electronic screens to sleep better.
Consult a Breast Surgery Professional for Proper Recovery
It is best to speak to your doctor about specific aftercare and sleeping precautions following your surgery. If you have more questions about post-op recovery or breast augmentation in general, book an appointment with us today.