Sleeping after having breast implants or breast augmentation is a concern for a lot of women. Am I going to be able to sleep on my stomach? What if I’m a side sleeper? How long do I have to sleep on my back during recovery from the surgery? These are just some of the concerns people have after receiving their implants.
In general, once you have completely recovered from the surgery, you can sleep in whatever position that you find most comfortable. Keep in mind though, if you sleep on your stomach before you have implants, the added size of the implants may lead you to be less comfortable than you previously were.
Sleeping After Having Breast Implants
There are several reasons why women choose to enhance their breasts, and as doctors and surgeons continue to innovate, the procedures associated with breast augmentation get easier and safer.
When it comes to women considering breast augmentation surgery, a common question that comes up is how long is the recovery process and what is the best way to ensure that I get enough sleep? Often, you’ll hear about needing weeks in order to fully recover from the procedure, which can lead to having to take an extended period of time off of work, or putting their regular activity on hold while they heal.
While it is very important to be careful after any surgical procedure, not everything has to change completely.
Optimizing Your Sleep Quality During Breast Augmentation Recovery
Sleep is one of the most important things during the recovery process. It helps your body rest and allows you to heal properly so that you avoid complications. Moving around too much or straining your body in a way that is not conducive to healing can make the recovery process much worse than it has to be, and this also pertains to sleeping.
During recovery from breast augmentation surgery most doctors recommend that you sleep only on your back for at least a few weeks following the initial surgery. This will allow time for the scar capsule to form around the implant and lower the risk of deformation that can be caused by sleeping on the implants.
Dr. Adams has perfected the 24-hour recovery technique that allows patients to be able to sleep in any position they like from the day of surgery onward.
This may not always be the case depending on your surgeon and the technique they use, so be sure to check with your specific doctor. Your doctor will give you information regarding the recovery process and sleeping before sending you home after your surgery.
When Can I Sleep on my Side or my Back After Breast Augmentation?
Many people find it most comfortable to sleep on their stomach, however you may find this to be the opposite after having breast augmentation surgery. As mentioned above, during the recovery process it is advised that you sleep on your back for as long as possible, but once your body has healed from the surgery, sleeping on your stomach poses no risks to the implants.
You may find, however, that sleeping in this position is now more uncomfortable than it was before due to the changes that have been made to your body.
While it is best to trust the advice given to you by your doctor, sleeping on your side or stomach, after your body has healed, won’t affect the appearance of your implants any more than it does to natural breasts.
Keep in mind that the recovery period will vary between procedures, so you may need to be careful when you sleep for a few weeks. Allowing your body to heal properly will further allow you to sleep however you please after having implants.
Sleeping Tips for Improved Comfort After Breast Augmentation
Doctors typically recommend trying to lie on your back for as long as possible, suggesting the use of pillows to elevate your back to help the weight of your breasts. Lying on your side can be introduced as soon as trying to sleep flat or elevated starts to affect your sleeping patterns.
It’s important you are getting the rest you need to heal and recover, so don’t lose sleep over your body positioning at night, be comfortable.
Although there are no specific rules on the exact sleeping method best for healing breasts after augmentation, there are a few tips on how to stay comfortable and keep from harming your implants.
- Avoid lying on your stomach for the first few weeks.
- Use a pillow against your side to help keep you in place.
- Sleep at a reclined angle, half-sitting up, to relieve pressure on your implants.
- Wear a sports bra to help reduce pressure on the incision.
- If you experience any abnormal pain, contact your doctor immediately.
When Can I Resume Normal Sleep Behavior After Having Breast Implants?
After the initial procedure you’re going to be sore. Most doctors would advise you to not sleep in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, but you should also be mindful of the healing process. By sleeping on your back for a few weeks, you’ll give the incisions time to heal, as well as allow the breast implants to settle into their permanent place in your chest.
Typically, once your body has healed and there’s no worry of stitches tearing or implants adjusting, you can sleep however you’re most comfortable. While everyone is different, this could be in as little as a few weeks or it could be in the range of 6-12 weeks, it’s really all about your comfort level.
How Long Until I No Longer Have to Sleep in a Sports Bra After Surgery?
Wearing a comfortable bra or sports bra, without an underwire, is an important part of the healing process after breast augmentation surgery. Most doctors would recommend trying to wear a sports bra-type bra for up to 23 hours per day while recovering from surgery.
This means you will need to continue to wear this bra while you sleep, which can definitely be uncomfortable.
Your doctor will be the one to clear you to wear normal bras after follow-up appointments, but in most cases, this will be around 6 weeks post-op. At this point the implants have settled into the chest and the skin where the incisions were made has healed.
Your doctor may advise against underwire bras or push-up bras for a little while, but at this point you should be able to transition into something more comfortable for sleeping.
Sleeping After Breast Augmentation
The downtime designated for the recovery period after breast augmentation can be shortened using a technique that Dr. Adams has been perfecting over the years. Using special techniques and methods in his procedures that helps reduce tissue trauma, patients can quickly return to normal activities within 24-hours. If recovery after a breast augmentation procedure is a major concern of yours, this method can help lessening the struggle at nighttime and sleeping.
Dr. Adams and his professional team stay updated on their practices and continuously research and develop new techniques that cause less harm to the nerves and tissue, creating a quicker recovery. Other doctors are still using the same practices and methods that were implemented 30 years ago. With newer, efficient techniques, easy and extremely fast recovery is entirely possible! Learn more at Dr. Adam’s website.
