Whether you have had liposuction, a tummy tuck, breast augmentation, or a mommy makeover that combines multiple procedures, finding a comfortable sleeping position can be difficult during plastic surgery recovery. However, quality sleep is essential for your body to heal from these procedures. These tips to sleep after a tummy tuck or any other plastic surgery procedure can help you get the quality sleep your body needs for a successful recovery.
Sleep Is So Important to Your Recovery
After any plastic surgery procedure, sleep becomes an essential part of your recovery process. When you sleep, blood flow increases, bringing the needed oxygen and nutrients to your tissues in order to promote healing and the regeneration of new cells. In addition, as you enter the deep stages of sleep, your brain releases hormones that stimulate muscle growth and repair, as well as help regulate and reduce inflammation.
Sleep Positions after Plastic Surgery Are Limited
After a plastic surgery procedure, your possible sleep positions are often limited. For example, after procedures such as a tummy tuck or breast augmentation, you are advised to avoid sleeping on your side or tummy. In addition, many times you are recommended to sleep in an elevated position as well. If you are a tummy or side sleeper, sleeping on your back may feel uncomfortable and, in many cases, sleep becomes very difficult. Finding ways to deal with these new sleeping restrictions is essential in order to get the sleep that you need for recovery.
4 Tips to Help You Get the Sleep you Need
Learning how to sleep after plastic surgery is essential in order to promote healing and following these four tips can really make a difference. In fact, you can start these tips before your plastic surgery procedure in order to help you to prepare for an easier recovery.
1. Practice a New Sleeping Position Before Your Scheduled Surgery
If you are a side or tummy sleeper, it can take time to get used to sleeping on your back. Using the few weeks prior to your procedure to practice back sleeping can help your body adjust to a new sleeping position before your recovery.
2. Consider Sleeping in a Recliner
If you find sleeping in your bed too difficult or you need to sleep with your head elevated, moving to a recliner can provide you with the additional support your body needs. For example, when you have a tummy tuck, your surgeon will often recommend you sleep in a slightly bent position so as not to stretch your abdominal muscles or the sutures during sleep. Sleeping in a recliner allows for this slightly bent position and helps keep your body sleeping on your back.
3. Support Your Body with Extra Pillows or Wedges
Adding pillows or support wedges to your bed can also help to offer additional body stabilization while you sleep and is an alternative to recliner sleeping. For example, a wedge pillow placed at the head of your bed allows you to sleep in a slightly bent and reclined position on your back. Pillows placed on the side of your body can help to prevent rolling over to your side or tummy while you sleep.
4. Pain Medication Can Help with Sleep
During the first days and weeks of your recovery, you are likely to experience swelling and discomfort. Your surgeon is likely to prescribe pain medications to help address inflammation and pain. Taking your pain medications right before bedtime can help bring down the inflammation contributing to your pain, allowing for a much more comfortable sleeping experience.
Dr. Scot Martin concentrates on breast enhancement and body contouring at his practice in Las Cruces, New Mexico. A nationally recognized plastic surgeon, Dr. Martin is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
He looks forward to meeting you and helping you become the best version of yourself possible.
