When is it safe to sleep on your stomach after a tummy tuck?

Thanks for the question.Most Plastic Surgeons on this forum will advise you to speak to your surgeon for explicit instructions. I am no different and would also encourage you to get your instructions from him.Having said that, I will give you my input. Most patients can sleep on their back or side after a tummy tuck with a muscle repair. It may take until week 6, when the muscle repair is very strong, before patients can begin sleeping on their tummy.For a skin pinch procedure without a muscle repair, patients can begin sleeping on their back and side immediately. If the skin pinch wasn't too extreme and didn't leave you hunched over, then you can probably sleep on your tummy in 2-3 weeks.It is always best to make a quick phone call to your Plastic Surgeon's office and get their instructions.Good Luck!

Thanks for your question! In my experience of doing thousands of abdominoplasties & body contouring procedures, I find that usually after a couple of weeks (& this varies from person to person), you should be fine to sleep on your stomach. However, you should check with your plastic surgeon to see what his/her post op protocol is. Best of luck to you! 

Thanks for your inquiry, you really need to ask your surgeon.  You seem you will need less recovery restrictions, because you had less surgery--but only your surgeon will know, good luck.

Hello,Typically, you would wait approximately 6 weeks. However, it sounds like you likely had a mini tummy tuck and I recommend asking your surgeon as he/she will be the best to answer that. Glad you are healing so well,Dr. BlaggAustin, TX

During recovery, you do not want to place a strain on your incision, Most of the time the incision is healed by 4 to 6 weeks.  Check with the PS who performed your TT to determine if he/she would approve sleeping on your stomach at that time. Many of my patients have used a holo or inflatable maternity pillow raft with a hole for resting their tummies.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Many of my patients find the use of a recliner very helpful during the recovery period.  This type of chair helps patients stay in the flexed position and may make getting it in/out of the resting position easier (although help from a "caretaker"  is necessary during the first few days). Otherwise, utilizing several pillows behind the back and under the knees (in bed) works as well. Most of my patients feel comfortable lying on their stomachs about two to three months after tummy tuck surgery.

I hope this helps.

Healing for all procedures, not just cosmetic cases, takes about 6 weeks for the wounds to reach about 90% of their final strength so it is wise to wait until the 6 week mark before stressing any surgical wound. But you can sleep now on your side in the fetal position, and this should relieve the stress on your back. Sometimes patients will need a little help getting out of the fetal position when they are on their side and their caretaker can help to roll them over gently.