What are the best ways to sleep after MMO & grafting to butt & hips?

Cheryl. Most board-certified plastic surgeons prefer to stage that many procedures. It is safer and better for your recovery. BBL and Tummytuck operations each carry a higher incidence of blood clot formation and possible harm or blockage of the lungs. Performing them simultaneously statistically increases the chances of this occurring. Also, recovery from BBL requires no pressure on your buttocks for two weeks after surgery to preserve fat take. You also cannot lie on your stomach after tummy tuck, so this limits the positions that you can recover.  Also, the maximum OR time for an ambulatory operation should be no more than 6 hours, BBL and MM certainly takes longer.  It is best to perform the BBL first, to allow your surgeon to harvest as much fat as possible for transfer. 4 to 6 months later, mommy makeover surgery can then be performed. Be certain to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon  to increase chances for the best possible results. Best of luck.

A MM typically includes a TT, breast augmentation or breast lift, and liposuction.  It's unlikely that any two MM patients will recover at the same pace.  Much depends upon the health of the patient prior to surgery, and the level of physical activity and lifting following surgery. This is a very common combination but recovery is uncomfortable.  I allow patients to sleep on their sides. Lying on your stomach or on your back will create pressure on your butt or stomach.   Patients can also rest in other positions as long as the other areas do not receive pressure.  There are creative ways to manage this. For example, my patient coordinator recommends a plastic inflatable with a hole in it (called a lilo), where instead of your tummy, you place your butt, so you can sleep on your back with pillows propping up your neck and head.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Dear CherylBDivine,I instruct my patients not to sit for 2 solid weeks. We provide them a specialized pillow that our patients can sit on during that time. They can sleep on their stomachs or sides. Fat viability depends a lot of surgeon technique. The fat has to be placed back into the buttocks as soon as possible so that it has a greater chance of survival. It has to be placed carefully so that not too much fat is placed in only one area.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

After undergoing a mommy makeover and grafting to the butt and hips, it’s essential to prioritize your comfort and recovery during sleep. Here are some tips for sleeping comfortably and promoting healing: 1. Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions: Always adhere to the post-operative care instructions provided by your surgeon. They will give you specific guidance on sleeping positions and post-surgery care.2. Elevate Your Upper Body: Prop yourself up with pillows to keep your upper body elevated. This can help reduce swelling and pressure on your newly grafted areas.3. Use Supportive Pillows: Place pillows under your knees or thighs to support your lower back and reduce strain on your surgical sites. 4. Sleep on Your Back: If possible, try to sleep on your back to minimize pressure on the newly grafted areas. Use a U-shaped or body pillow to help maintain this position if you tend to roll onto your side while sleeping. 5. Avoid Sleeping on Your Stomach or Sides: Sleeping on your stomach or sides can put pressure in your surgical sites, which is not recommended during the initial stages of recovery.6. Take Pain Medication as Prescribed: If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort, take any prescribed pain medications as directed by your surgeon before bedtime.7. Stay Hydrated: Proper hydration is important for healing. However, avoid excessive fluid intake close to bedtime to minimize nighttime bathroom trips.8. Wear Compression Garments: If your surgeon has provided you with compression garments, wear them as directed, even while sleeping. They can help reduce swelling and provide support. 9. Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your body’s signals. If you need to adjust your position or take short walks to prevent stiffness, do so, but always follow your surgeon’s advice.10. Create a Relaxing Sleep Environment: Make your bedroom conducive to sleep by keeping it dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature. Consider using relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation to help you fall asleep.Remember that every individual’s recovery process is unique, and it’s crucial to consult with your surgeon for advice on sleeping and recovery after your mommy makeover and grafting surgery.

Hello dear!!
Thanks for the question and provided information as well. 
You can adopt the position that best suits you and in which you feel most comfortable. It helps to use pillows to accommodate your buttocks.. 
If you have any concerns, please follow up close with your plastic surgeon.
Good luck :)

I do not recommend combining all of these procedures at the same time due to increased rate of complications and difficult recovery. But, if you do have all these surgeries together you might need to sleep on your sides or use pillows to reduce pressure on the operated areas.Seek a board certified plastic surgeon who performs many of these procedures, has great reviews and photos, and is an expert in this field.

You will want to discuss this situation with your surgeon.  You will want to minimize the pressure on your sides, but if you had a tummy tuck and BBL it is not advisable to sleep on your tummy or on your back.  Pillows may help alleviate some of the pressure on the surgical areas.

CherylBDivine Hi There , Thank you for your Question The best way to sleep is on your sides with the help of pillows on one side and one on the back also , as long as you feel comfortable and don't put at risk your incisions or the healing process will be delay . good luck to you , 

When I perform mommy makeovers at the same time as brazilian butt lifts,I advise my patients to sleep in a recliner with a pillow under their butt ,or in bed with  2 pillows behind their head ,one under the butt and one under the knees,for 2 weeks .After that,they can sleep on their side.No sleeping on their tummy for a month

Dear Cheryl,Hello and thank you for your excellent question. In general, if you are having fat grafting to the buttocks and hips, you will want to be sure to offload the pressure on your buttocks by limiting your sitting to less than 15 minutes at a time, using a BBL pillow, and sleeping only on your stomach.  You may want to look into a body contouring procedure that combines both liposuction with laser, radiofrequency (RF), or acoustic therapy to produce the best balance of fat reduction and skin tightening and smoothing for your body type and anatomy. We use a proprietary technique that we call IDEAL Liposuction. First off, all devices and instruments used are FDA-approved. These procedures are usually performed in the office, with only local anesthesia. We typically use Smart / Laser Liposuction or ultrasound to reduce dense, fibrous fat, and stimulate collagen formation; Radiofrequency-based skin tightening to maximize skin contraction; and Ultrasound, RF, or subcision (Z Wave, Venus, Cellfina) to treat cellulite. Patients go home the same day as surgery, do not need any narcotics postop for pain control, and can return to light exercise and work two days after their procedure. In my practice, we select the appropriate treatment for each patient based on their skin quality, amount of fat and surgical goals. It is best to answer your question during a face-to-face evaluation, when you can discuss your goals and expectations for the procedure, and you can have a physical examination to evaluate for that procedure. I recommend that you find a board-certified, or board-eligible plastic surgeon with whom you are comfortable. Be sure to have all of your questions answered during a face-to-face meeting with your surgeon, and review before and after pictures of similar patients whom have had this procedure. If you have any questions, call our office for assistance. Good luck!

Best,

Jon Ver Halen, MD FACS

Harvard educated plastic surgeon

Texas “Top Doc” 2017, 2018

RealSelf100

America’s Top Plastic Surgeons, Consumer’s Research Council, 2010 – 2018
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