Every surgery requires some degree of extra rest afterward, and some surgeries change how you sleep. Sleeping after breast augmentation comes with its own specific changes. Whether you prefer sleeping on your back, side, or stomach, you’ll likely have to adjust the way you sleep after this type of surgery. This is because sleep is an extremely important part of the healing process. The more comfortable you keep your body while it heals, the speedier your recovery will be.
At the Plastic Surgery Center in Shreveport, Dr. Forrest Wall has a passion for helping individuals feel better in their own skin. He and his team of cosmetic experts help patients to minimize age, while maximizing beauty. Many people dream of improving the shape and size of their breasts through augmentation. If you’re looking for an experienced Shreveport breast augmentation surgeon, give the Plastic Surgery Center a call at 318-221-1629.
How to sleep correctly after a breast augmentation: on your side or back?
Many of our patients ask questions about sleeping after breast augmentation. This is important information to know before ever going into surgery. We recommend sleeping in one of the below positions prior to surgery to ensure a smooth transition after surgery. If you devote a few nights to figuring out how to make the new position more comfortable for your body, it will be easier to continue after the surgery. Below, we discuss the two position options for sleeping after breast augmentation.
Back Sleeping:
Sleeping on your back is undoubtedly the best position for your body’s recovery. If possible, we highly recommend slightly elevating your upper body while sleeping on your back. Many of our patients find that sleeping in a recliner chair or with multiple pillows makes this easier. Back sleeping reduces swelling and soreness in the breasts after surgery. Also, it improves your ability to move by limiting how much upper body usage is required to get out of bed. Additionally, sleeping in an elevated position allows for proper scar tissue formation. If you simply do not feel comfortable sleeping in an elevated position, you can still sleep flat on your back after giving it a try.
Side Sleeping:
This is the second best position for sleeping after breast augmentation. However, please note that this position has extra precautions you must take. Place a soft pillow under the breasts to avoid unnecessary pressure on the area. Also, wear your approved surgical bra in order to keep the implants and breast tissue in place. If you have concerns about sleeping comfortably after your breast augmentation, we invite you to call our office at 318-221-1629.
How long do I have to sleep on my back after a breast augmentation?
We recommend that our patients sleep on their back for at least 6-8 weeks. Adherence to this recommendation will ensure that the implants heal well and do not get displaced. It also reduces the risk of capsular contracture, which is a distortion of the breast tissue around the implant. While it is possible for patients to sleep on their sides, we recommend at least trying to sleep on the back as much as possible. Side sleeping after breast augmentation comes with the risk of wrinkling around the breast area over time.
Can I sleep on my stomach with breast implants?
During the healing process, we recommend avoiding stomach sleeping after breast augmentation. This is due to the high possibility for pain or discomfort, as well as preventing your implants from settling correctly. For the first few weeks at least, avoid stomach sleeping. We recognize that each patient’s body is different, and everyone has a preferred sleeping position. Once your incisions heal properly, you can start to experiment with small increments of time spent relaxing on your stomach. Eventually, you may resume your normal sleeping habits.
Why does sleeping after breast augmentation matter so much?
Getting enough sleep after any surgery is extremely important, but even more so for breast augmentation surgery. Sleep helps the body heal more quickly, reduces inflammation, and helps with pain. Once your breast implants are in place, sleeping in the appropriate position helps them settle properly. The most important thing to remember is listening to the advice of your surgeon. They understand what is best for your healing, and can recommend tips for more comfortable sleep.
Should I wear a bra while sleeping after breast augmentation?
Immediately after you wake up from your surgery, your surgeon wraps the breast area with soft surgical dressing. This dressing stays on for at least 24 hours. Then, your surgeon replaces that dressing with a soft surgical bra. You must wear this bra for at least two weeks, except while bathing. After this two week period, patients resume wearing bras of their choosing. However, patients should be mindful of where their incisions are located. Avoid bras that apply pressure to these incision areas for at least three months.
At first, we recommend sleeping without a bra, unless that bra was provided by your surgeon. After a six week period, patients may sleep with a bra if they find it more comfortable. Many times, patients who opted for larger implants prefer sleeping with a bra.
Will I feel pain while sleeping after breast augmentation?
Many patients experience pain or soreness while sleeping after breast augmentation. After all, they recently underwent surgery. Many patients report discomfort right after waking up. This likely results from muscle stiffness and the implants pushing outward as you sleep. Generally, this pain and discomfort subsides quickly. In order to reduce this feeling, wear your surgical support bra at night and very gently massage the implants. Over-the-counter pain medications also help.
For Breast Augmentation Tips, Call The Plastic Surgery Center
Dr. Forrest Wall at The Plastic Surgery Center offers a wide variety of breast procedures in Shreveport, including breast augmentation, breast reduction, and breast lifts. Breast enhancement is a big step for anyone, so we take every single patient seriously and handle their case with the utmost care. Your health, safety, and comfort are our priority. If you’re interested in scheduling a consultation before going under the knife, we invite you to give us a call at 318-221-1629.
