Can I sleep on my back after a BBL?

Thank you very much for
your question and congratulations on your recent Brazilian Butt Lift. Every
surgeon will have their own, specific BBL recovery protocol, based on their
experience and the individual patient’s needs. Overall, patients are normally
encouraged to sleep on their stomach for two to four weeks after their BBL, as
the newly transferred fat can be extremely delicate. I recommend carefully
following your operating surgeon’s recovery instructions. Should you have any
further concerns, contact your plastic surgeon’s office for their advice.

I would contact your doctors office directly to see what their recommendation would be. I typically tell my patients to sleep on their side or stomach for the first week to 10 days. Good luck with your recovery! 

The ultimate result of fat transfer is dependent upon the percentage of graft "take" vs. resorption. The less resorption the greater preservation of volume. Thus the goal is to optimize fat viability in the post operative period.While recommendations will vary from one patient to the next, I generally, recommend that patients avoid prolonged periods of sitting or sleeping supine for several weeks post operatively. Patients are encouraged to avoid direct pressure for 4-6 weeks. During this time, they will use wedges/pillows for support. They will slowly increase the duration of sitting periods reaching 1 hour (uninterrupted) by 4 weeks post op.As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

The concept of not sleeping on your back after a BBL is based on the theory that it's not healthy for the newly implanted fat cells to have pressure applied directly to these semi viable cells for any extended period of time.  I have not actually seen any papers validating this theory.  However, since it theoretically makes sense, I suggest that when you sleep on your back after a BBL, you should place pillows or wedges in such a way as to keep any direct pressure off the portion of the buttocks which has newly transplanted fat cells.Foam wedges probably make more sense than pillows, but either one if placed correctly would decrease the chance of injury to your new BBL.

Yes, you have a couple of options:  you can sleep on your sides, or place pillows underneath your thighs and lower back.  Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Thank you for your question.  Every surgeon has different requirements for post operative care.  I advise my patients to not sit or sleep on their backs for 10 days after a BBL.  Side sleeping would be ideal.  The plastic surgeon who performed your surgery may have different suggestions, so please contact him or her directly to find out what they recommend.  Good luck to you.