How should I sleep and sit after a tummy tuck?

Thank you for your question! For my patients having a tummy tuck, I recommend they sleep sitting up in a recliner, propped up in bed with pillows, or on their sides, alternating time on each side. As for sitting down, it is good to sit in a chair with support, such as arm rests, to ease getting in and out of it. I hope this helps!

Thank you for your question. While recovering, you will need to sleep on your back with a pillow placed beneath your knees. Sleeping elevated with pillow under your back is recommended. Best of luck!Dhaval M. Patel Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Hoffman Estates Barrington Oakbrook Chicago Orland Park

Put some pillows under your knees and  lower back so that you won't be completely stretched out you will feel more comfortable as the days go on, best of luck and congratulations on your surgery!

Thank you for your question. After tummy tuck your tummy will be pulled very tightly, so you may not be able to stand up or lay completely straight. You will want to lay on your back in a recliner or with several pillows under your back and knees. It will be best to sleep on your back in this semi flexed position for few weeks. You should be able to sit normally or may want to have some pillows under your back for additional support. Remember, you will not be able to use your belly muscles to get up during immediate post surgical period and will need help to get you up from laying or sitting positions. You will need to use your leg muscles and your side muscles when doing so. Hope this helps.Sincerely,Olga Bachilo, MD

You may want to sleep with pillows under your shoulders and under your knees to keep you in a flexed position. My patients have found it most comfortable to sleep in a recliner chair that they can adjust. Good luck.

Thanks for your question.  Your surgeon will likely have specific recommendations so I would recommend checking with them.  In my practice I advise my patients to take tension off their abdominal area for at least the first week, then they can gradually resume their typical posture when standing or sleeping.  When sleeping they can take tension off their abdomen by using a reclining chair that is slightly flexed, or putting pillows or a wedge under their knees in their own bed, or even sleeping on their side.  When standing they will slouch forward slightly, then gradually stand straight as their comfort level permits.  There is no restriction on sitting provided their compression garment is not causing abnormal pressure points on the abdomen.

Hands down , the most comfortable way to sleep after a tummy tuck is on a chaise lounge chair. This allows for flexion at the waist and the knees which relaxes the abdominal muscles which are the primary source of pain and discomfort after a tummy tuck. These can be rented in most large urban cities at least for the first week which is the most uncomfortable.

You should buy two wedges. Wedges are key--I don't know this as a surgeon but I know that when my wife had her tummy tuck the wedges were invaluable as we placed one behind her back and then one under her knees. It is so crucial to get yourself setup before your tummy tuck and figure out how you are going to sleep, where you are going to sleep and get all of the things you will need beside your bed before the day of surgery so when you come home from the surgery you can get tucked in and be in the mist comfortable position. Don't forget you will want to get up every hour to take a short walk to cut down on the risk of developing a blood clot.Also make sure you have two large pillows or maybe even 4 so you can get them under your arms and support your upper body as well--personally I think this is super important because otherwise your shoulders and arms will drop and this becomes very uncomfortable and in my opinion equally as important as the wedges.Preparation and trying out your setup is the key to an easy postoperative recovery. Thank you for your question and best of luck.Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, Florida Medical Association

This is a question that your plastic surgeon will review for you in detail. For the first few days you should be in the semi-reclined position so there is less tension on the skin of your abdomen.  Sitting should not be a problem providing you have support hose on.Ambulation is very important with TT surgery. Your PS will surely discuss this with you as well.Hopefully you will have the drainless (no-drain) TT as the recovery time is shorter, and there is much less discomfort. Plus, you are not encumbered with the drains that patients hate. Thank you for your question, and good luck.

I suggest purchasing a larger sized pregnancy pillow to sleep with; you may also swirl it into a circular position on your bed and sit down in it.  In addition, propping pillows behind your back as well will assist in keeping you comfortably hunched over while your muscles are extremely tight.   As your muscles become less tense, you will then be able to adjust your posture as your healing progresses.