When is It Safe to Sleep Flat After Rhinoplasty?

I know you should sleep at a 30-45 degree angle immediately after surgery to reduce swelling, but sleeping that way has become painful and I always wake up after two hour intervals only to try to fall back to sleep. Is it safe to resume normal sleeping after one week post-op?

Tags:

flat safety sleep

Comment on this

4 Doctor Answers | Asked by southeast22 in Florida

Doctor Answers (4)
Community Comments (0)

Safe to sleep flat 1 week after rhinoplasty

After a week, it is important to get a good night of sleep in any position. Rolling around in different positions will not affect the shape of the nose.

Head Elevation after Rhinoplasty

I recommend head elevation for one week after surgery. This has obviously caused problems. Simply using two pillows for another two weeks may be helpful. Keeping your head above your chest while sleeping will minimize facial swelling.

Richard W. Fleming, MD

9 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Rhinoplasty Postop

In general I allow my rhinoplasty patients to resume the supine or flat position after 3-5 days it they are comfortable to do so. This is something that you should ask your plastic surgeon as every plastic surgeon has a different routine for postoperative managment.

Sleeping position after rhinoplasty

I am not the surgeon who performed your surgery, thus my recommendations may not apply to you. However, for my patients, I tell them to sleep upright for the first 2-3 days. I understand it is difficult to sleep comfortably that way. Thus, I tell my patients they can resume to sleep flat after about 3 days. Before doing anything, you should ask your surgeon.