Sleeping After Breast Augmentation – Post surgery sleeping advice position

Sleeping After Breast Augmentation

Breast Implants Sore after Sleeping

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After the breast augmentation surgery, you might find yourself often in pain while sleeping. There are a number of precautions that you need to take into account for the first few weeks so you can give yourself time for recovery and decrease your swelling.

You should be getting at least 8 hours of sleep for proper healing.

Sleeping Position after Breast Enlargement

To properly heal and reduce the pain of side-effects we recommend you consider the following sleeping positions:

The best and most suitable position for sleep is laying on your back. This puts your breasts in a relaxed position, putting no strain on the chest and allowing the incisions to heal and helps the implants to settle.

You can also sleep at an angle (Anywhere between 30 to 45 degrees) inclined on your back. Doing so, you’ll find that there’s a lot less inflammation and pain due to the blood circulation being flown away from the breasts.

Consider getting a few soft pillows that help you relax in the mentioned positions and a recliner bed if possible, to help you freely adjust your position.

How long do I need to sleep elevated after Breast Augmentation?

Sleeping elevated helps reduce pain and inflammation. It is recommended that you sleep inclined at a 30-45 degrees angle for a total of 6 weeks. Doing so will help you recover from plastic surgery and reduce any risks of capsular contracture.

When can I sleep on my side after Breast Augmentation?

Sleeping on the side might be more comfortable for you, but try not to give in to the temptation. You will have to wait at least 2 to 3 weeks minimum before you are able to sleep on your side.

Sleeping on Stomach after Breast Augmentation

You should be able to comfortably sleep on your stomach after 12 weeks max. Avoid sleeping on your stomach at all costs prior to fully healing as it will cause your implants to dislocate and fall to the side.

Should I wear a bra to sleep after Breast Augmentation?

Implants need proper support and external help to be shaped. For the first 6 weeks, you will have to make sure that you sleep with your surgical/sports bra on. This will prevent your implants from shifting, provide good healing with a nice shape and allow you to sleep with comfort.

Once you feel like you have the shape that you desire with your surgical/sports bra, you can proceed to wearing an underwired bra.

When can I sleep without a Bra after breast augmentation or reduction?

After 6 weeks, you can stop wearing the support bra and go with anything of your choosing. You can choose to not wear a bra at all even.

Patients’ tips and hints after Breast Augmentation

Patients that have gone through the Breast Augmentation Procedure recommend:

  • Make sure someone’s by your side to help you for the first two days.
  • Avoid using pain medication on an empty stomach.
  • Drink a lot of water to avoid nausea caused by pain medication.
  • Don’t try to overuse your pain medication as it may cause constipation.
  • Keep yourself away from things that will keep you up at night like caffeine, sugar and the like.
  • Try eating calorific foods, nuts, and fruits like apple, banana, orange, kiwi and pineapple to help boost your immune system.
  • Get some loose clothes to be able to easily get into clothes without putting too much pressure onto your chest.

Best Sleep and Massage Practices after Breast Augmentation

Make sure to always consult with your doctor first regarding breast massages during the initial stage. After 2 to 3 weeks, however, you should be able to receive full-body massages. Avoid getting into a massage that has you lying down on your stomach for the first 6 weeks.

We recommend getting frequent massages a few weeks after the surgery for faster recovery and reducing pain.

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Article Reference:

Wetmore, S.J., Scrima, L., Snyderman, N.L. and Charles Hiller, F. (1986), Postoperative evaluation of sleep apnea after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. The Laryngoscope, 96: 738-741. https://doi.org/10.1288/00005537-198607000-00007

Section Editor(s): White, Paul F.Romundstad, Luis MD*; Breivik, Harald MD, DMSc*; Roald, Helge MD, DMSc‡; Skolleborg, Knut MD‡; Haugen, Torleiv MD†; Narum, Jon MD†; Stubhaug, Audun MD, DMSc* Methylprednisolone Reduces Pain, Emesis, and Fatigue After Breast Augmentation Surgery: A Single-Dose, Randomized, Parallel-Group Study with Methylprednisolone 125 mg, Parecoxib 40 mg, and Placebo, Anesthesia & Analgesia: February 2006 – Volume 102 – Issue 2 – p 418-425 doi: https://doi.org/10.1213/01.ane.0000194358.46119.e1 

Rawal, N.*; Gupta, A.*; Helsing, M.†; Grell, K.†; Allvin, R.* Pain relief following breast augmentation surgery: a comparison between incisional patient-controlled regional analgesia and traditional oral analgesia, European Journal of Anaesthesiology: December 2006 – Volume 23 – Issue 12 – p 1010-1017 doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0265021506000883

Sharon S. Stanley, MD, Ian C. Hoppe, MD, Frank S. Ciminello, MD, Pain Control Following Breast Augmentation: A Qualitative Systematic Review, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 32, Issue 8, November 2012, Pages 964–972, https://doi.org/10.1177/1090820X12457014

Pang, W., Chois, J.M., Lambie, D. et al. Experience of Immediate Ambulation and Early Discharge After Tumescent Anesthesia and Propofol Infusion in Cosmetic Breast Augmentation. Aesth Plast Surg 41, 1318–1324 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-017-0929-5

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