Breast Augmentation Tips: Sleeping Positions and Caring for Your New Breasts
Marsha Stevenson 
If you’ve just had breast augmentation surgery, there are a few things you need to keep in mind as you recover. Sleeping in the correct position and properly caring for your breasts are two of the most important.
Why you should sleep on your back after breast augmentation?
The medical community is divided regarding the position of sleep after breast augmentation. There are surgeons who recommend to sleep on your back and there are some who don’t recommend it at all. In our clinic we tell patients to sleep on their back with an extra pillow under their head for a month.
We advise them not to put any pressure on their breasts for the first four weeks after surgery.
There are several reasons why you should sleep on your back after breast augmentation. First, sleeping on your back allows the implants to position themselves in the center of your chest and prevents them from moving too far forward or too far back.
This decreases the likelihood of capsular contracture, a condition that causes the breasts around the implant to become hard and swollen. Secondly, sleeping on your back allows all of the swelling to go away from your chest area, preventing a puffy-looking chest by morning.
In general it is always better to listen to the advice of your board-certified plastic surgeon about how you should sleep after surgery. Every surgery is different and each patient heals differently. By following your surgeon’s specific post-operative instructions you can ensure the best possible outcome for your surgery.
Sleeping on your stomach after breast augmentation
Sleeping on your stomach after breast augmentation is not recommended because it can cause the implants to move too far forward or too far back.
This increases the likelihood of capsular contracture and can also cause the implants to become asymmetrical. It is important to remember that your breasts will be swollen after surgery and you should not put any pressure on them for the first four weeks.
Sleeping on your side after breast augmentation
Sleeping on your side after breast augmentation is not as bad as sleeping on your stomach, but it is still not recommended.
Sleeping on your side puts pressure on the implants and can cause them to move out of position. It is important to remember that your breasts will be swollen after surgery and you should not put any pressure on them for the first four weeks.
When can I start sleeping on my side again after a breast augmentation surgery?
Most surgeons recommend waiting at least four to six weeks before sleeping on your side again after a breast augmentation surgery. This allows the implants time to settle into their new position and decreases the likelihood of them moving out of place. Remember to always listen to the specific post-operative instructions provided by your surgeon.
What are the risks of sleeping on your side after breast augmentation?
Sleeping on your side after breast augmentation can lead to the implants moving out of position. This increases the likelihood of capsular contracture and can also cause the implants to become asymmetrical.
Sleeping on your stomach after breast augmentation is not recommended because it can cause the implants to move too far forward or too far back. It is important to remember that your breasts will be swollen after surgery and you should not put any pressure on them for the first four weeks. In general, it is always better to listen to the advice of your board-certified plastic surgeon about how you should sleep after surgery.
Conclusion
Sleep on your back for at least one month after breast augmentation surgery. Remember to always listen to the specific post-operative instructions provided by your surgeon.
