I'm 5 days post op tummy tuck, when can I sleep on my side again?

Thank you for your question.  You will likely get different answers from different surgeons, but most patients are fairly tight along their incision for the first few weeks.  So, probably around 2-3 weeks, but if you feel any tight, pulling sensations, it may be best to stay on your back with your knees elevated to keep tension of the incision.  As the swelling goes down, the incision site will relax.  Good luck. 

I recommend that my patients sleep in a "beach chair" position for 4 weeks after a tummy tuck. This has to do with the extensive muscle repair that I do. Your sleeping position will depend on your surgeon's preference and the specific type of muscle repair that he/she uses, tightness of the skin, suturing technique, etc. It is best to speak directly with your surgeon about this question because each of us can offer an opinion, but it may not necessarily apply to your specific situation. Regardless, 5 days is very early to sleep on your side. Give him/her a call. They should be happy to speak to you on the phone and review these types of questions. 

I think that for the first week or so, sleeping on your back with your knees slightly elevated along with your head helps to reduce tension on the suture line and also prevent significant asymmetric swelling. But after the first week, I think that if sleeping on your side is comfortable, then it really shouldn't affect the end results of your surgery. But, every surgeon will have his/her own preference, so you should follow the advice of your surgeon. 

I recommend sleeping in a reclined position, that is the head of bed elevated and knees propped up for about 2 weeks following abdominoplasty.  After lying on your side for a while, the edema will tend to migrate to the side you are lying.  Five days is a little early to sleep on your side.

If you are accustomed to sleeping on your side or your stomach, it can be very difficult to sleep on your back. Sleeping in a recliner at home may help. If that isn't possible, be sure to sleep with your head elevated on 3 to 4 pillows with your knees bent. You can rest your knees on 2 to 3 pillows. It may be too early to sleep on your side, but ultimately you should follow your surgeon's specific guidelines.

Each surgeon may have slightly different post operative instruction. I don't specify any restriction to sleeping position. 

It's best to keep the tension off your fresh incision for at least 2 weeks following a tummy tuck.  Your surgeon will have specific advice for you.  After 2 weeks, I allow patients to sleep however they want, but if they have painful pulling or stretching sensations, it's best to avoid that position.

In my practice, I allow my patients to sleep in a position that is comfortable. Common sense prevails if it hurts don't do it. Swelling goes away with time so it doesn't really matter the side in which you sleep. Hope this helps.