Breast augmentation is a popular cosmetic procedure that helps people increase or decrease the size and shape of their breasts. Regardless of your reasons for getting breast augmentation surgery, you’ll have strict post-operative instructions for what you should and should not do.
One of the most common questions asked by women who have undergone breast augmentation is, “When can I sleep on my side after breast augmentation surgery?”
After breast augmentation surgery, you’ll have to sleep on your back for 2 to 8 weeks or more, depending on what type of breast augmentation procedure you received and the extent of the cosmetic procedure. If you aren’t a back-sleeper naturally, you’ll need to prepare yourself to make this temporary adjustment.
In this article, we’ll explore how long you’ll need to sleep on your back before switching to your side after breast augmentation surgery. We’ll also go over invaluable tips for how to prepare to make the change.
You’ll learn—
- That different procedures require you to sleep on your back for various lengths of time
- Seven actionable tips for preparing yourself to sleep on your back if you aren’t a back sleeper.
Following your plastic surgeon’s post-operative instructions to sleep correctly is crucial to ensure a smooth, complication-free recovery process. That means getting used to sleeping on your back, at least for a little while. This post is going to teach you how to ensure you get a good night’s rest while sleeping comfortably, no matter what position you are sleeping in.
Synergistiq Wellness offers fat transfer breast augmentations. To learn more about our cosmetic procedures, schedule a consultation today.
What Position Should I Sleep In After My Breast Augmentation?
After a breast augmentation procedure, it’s recommended that you sleep inclined on your back to avoid putting pressure on the incisions, compromising the health of the fat grafts (if you received a fat transfer breast augmentation), or compromising the healthy formation of the “capsule” of scar tissue (if you received implants).
Sleeping on your back helps your breasts heal properly from the procedure and—
- Reduces the risk of implant displacement or damage in the case of implants
- Reduces the risk of fat necrosis or the fat graft not surviving in the case of fat transfer breast augmentation.
However, the length of time you need to sleep on your back with your upper body elevated varies depending on which type of breast augmentation cosmetic procedure you received.
How Long Do I Need To Sleep Inclined On My Back After Breast Augmentation?
Here is a general sleeping position timeline for women who received breast augmentation surgery:
- Women who received implants or fat transfer breast augmentation typically need to sleep inclined on their back for about two weeks.
- They can sleep flat on their backs after the 2nd week.
- They need to wait between 6 and 8 weeks for side sleeping, but it’s best to consult your plastic surgeon before changing your sleeping position. The window of time varies but will likely last more than a few weeks.
- Absolutely do not sleep on your front after breast augmentation surgery until your cosmetic surgeon clears you to do so (usually after 12 weeks).
*Note, for women who underwent fat transfer breast augmentation, the recommended sleeping position may vary based on the extent of the procedure and the surgeon’s instructions. Always defer to your plastic surgeon over taking advice from the internet!
Sleeping With Breast Implants Vs. Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
Let’s address the differences between breast implant surgery and fat transfer breast augmentation. Though the end goal of implants and fat transfer breast augmentation is the same—larger, more shapely breasts—the two procedures work differently.
Breast implants involve the insertion of non-biological saline or silicone implants. Your body has to adjust to the new foreign objects by creating a “capsule” of scar tissue around the implants. For this process to work well and for the implants to remain in place, you can’t put pressure on your breast while they heal.
With fat transfer breast augmentation, the plastic surgeon uses liposculpting to remove excess fat from one area and then injects it into your chest to increase the size and shape of your breasts using your own body tissue. Uneven pressure on your breasts—like from sleeping on your side or front—compromises the success of the fat grafts.
So, how long do I have to sleep on my back for each procedure?
Sleeping on Your Back After Breast Implants
For women who received implants, sleeping inclined on your back for about two weeks is recommended. This helps the implants settle into place and reduces the risk of displacement. You can transition to sleeping flat on your back after two weeks, but wait for clearance to sleep on your side (6-8 weeks). Definitely, do not sleep on your front.
Sleeping on Your Back After a Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
For women who underwent fat transfer breast augmentation, the recommended sleeping position and duration may vary based on the extent of the procedure and the surgeon’s instructions. However, it will likely mirror the recommendations for breast implant surgery.
It’s crucial to follow the instructions provided by your surgeon to ensure a smooth recovery process.
7 Tips For Adjusting To Your New Sleeping Position After Breast Augmentation Surgery
Old habits die hard!
If you’ve been sleeping on your side or front for your whole life, making the switch to sleeping on your back can feel impossible. But, with enough preparation and practice, it’s definitely an achievable goal.
Here are seven tips to help you adjust:
1. Buy A Wedge Pillow
Purchasing a wedge pillow can help you sleep inclined on your back comfortably. Using ordinary pillows leads to a less supportive and uneven sleeping environment. It’s best to use materials designed for the purpose rather than use makeshift solutions.
Wedge pillows are designed to provide support and comfort and keep your upper body elevated, making it easier to follow your post-op instructions.
2. Practice Sleeping In the New Position Before Your Procedure
Practice makes perfect. You should definitely attempt to wean yourself off of your side or back in the weeks (or months) leading up to your breast augmentation. Practicing the recommended sleeping position before your plastic surgery procedure will make the transition much easier than jumping into a new position the night after your procedure.
3. Take Extra Steps To Avoid Rolling Over On Your Side
Use extra pillows to help keep you in place and reduce the chances that you toss and turn throughout the night. Alternatively, you can wedge extra blankets on your sides to make it difficult to roll over on your side while you sleep unwittingly.
4. Be Sure To Wear Your Compression Bra To Sleep
You need to follow your post-operative instructions to ensure the breast augmentation procedure’s success. One of these post-operative instructions is to wear a compression bra. You need to do so while awake but also while sleeping at night.
Wearing your compression bra reduces swelling and provides support and even pressure to the breasts while you sleep.
5. Use Melatonin To Help You Stay Asleep
If your new position keeps you from getting a full night’s sleep, try taking an over-the-counter sleep aid like melatonin. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that helps you fall asleep and stay asleep.
This sleep aid can be helpful if you are having trouble adjusting to your new position.
6. Avoid Caffeine After 2pm
Caffeine interferes with sleep quality. The later you consume caffeine-containing drinks, the more likely your sleep patterns will be disturbed. To prevent disrupted sleep, it’s best to avoid consuming caffeine after 2pm and moderate the amount you drink when you do consume it.
Foods and Drink That Have Caffeine:
- Coffee
- Espresso
- Tea
- Soda
- Chocolate
- Guarana
- Energy drinks
- Supplements
7. Go On Walks or Exercise During The Day
Exercise can improve your sleep quality, increase blood circulation, and reduce stress, all of which can help you get used to sleeping on your back post-breast augmentation. Obviously, when recovering from plastic surgery, you need to be careful what you do so that you do not compromise your recovery.
Here are a few ideas for exercise that can add up over the course of the day:
- Going on walks
- Taking the stairs
- Using a standing desk (or staying on your feet for longer periods of time)
- Performing light chores and housework (if your plastic surgeon approves)
- Light exercising at the gym (if your plastic surgeon approves)
Synergistiq Wellness Offers Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation in Tampa, FL
Synergistiq Wellness is one of Tampa’s leading fat transfer breast augmentation surgery providers. Our experienced cosmetic surgeon Dr. Dayal uses advanced techniques to provide natural-looking results.
Curious about breast augmentation? Book a no-obligation consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeon in Tampa.
*The information on this page was reviewed for accuracy by the Synergistiq Wellness team. Learn more about us.