What is the reasoning behind sleeping on your back after a breast reduction?

Question

How long until I can sleep on my side. I wake up frequently, every few minutes or so. I'm concerned of apnea being the culprit, but have not been diagnosed. I am a side sleeper. I am 11 days post surgery.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Plastic surgeons differ on whether sleeping on the back affects outcome.  The main reason would be to prevent pressure on the operative sites.  Ask your PS what his/her postoperative protocol is for sleeping positions after the BR.

Franziska Huettner, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

Dear jedbindrup, Thank you for your question. I recommend you follow the postoperative protocol your surgeon recommended. Different surgeons have different protocols postoperative, depending also if you are recommended to wear your bra during the day and at night, or not. The recommendations given are the ones that work best in this particular surgeons hands. Please contact your surgeons office. Kind regards, Franziska Huettner

Joshua Cooper, MD, FACS · Answer

I tell my breast reduction patients to sleep in whichever position they find most comfortable after their operation.At 11 days post op, you should be just fine sleeping on your side. Thanks for sharing!

Frank Agullo, MD · Answer

You should follow your surgeon’s protocol and advice. Sleeping on your sides or stomach can put pressure on your incisions and result in complications.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear jedbindrup,patients are encouraged to walk immediately after surgery to avoid blood clots in the legs. I suggest that you follow your plastic surgeon’s post-operative instructions, especially on the level of activity that you can do and your scheduled follow up checkups, for faster and recovery. Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

R. Stewart Collins, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I advise all of my breast reduction patients to avoid sleeping on their stomach until the breast are fully healed. I recommend sleeping in a recliner or elevated in the bed or couch to help reduce swelling. You will want to avoid putting pressure on your wounds so you will heal properly. Hope this helps!

Robert Drielsma, MBBS, BSc, FRACS · Answer

Sleeping on your stomach or side can put pressure on your wounds during the early days of post operative recovery.  You should follow your surgeons specific post operative guidelines

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

You could just call and ask your surgeon why this restriction and for how long.  But understand in my 26 year practice, I have never limited how my patients sleep... and in real life, everyone tosses and turns and at some point in the night, you're sleeping on your side.

What is the reasoning behind sleeping on your back after a breast reduction?

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