What happens if I can't sleep on my back after surgery?

I recommend that patients sleep on their back or side after surgery and wear their supportive sports bra or compression bra day and night for the first eight weeks. However, please ask your surgeon for their advice since they may have different advice.

Sleeping is generally more comfortable on your back, although propping yourself up on a few pillows or sleeping in a recliner chair for the first few days is what many people find the most comfortable. Also, assistance getting up and down is often required for these first few days.
However, there is actually no recommended position to sleep. Basically you sleep in whatever position you’re comfortable in and listen to your body. Ultimately you move around in your sleep so no matter what position you go to sleep in, you’ll move whilst asleep and your subconscious/sleep state will always adjust itself to a comfortable position.

I recommend patients lay on there back after surgery and wear their specific support bra for the first 6 weeks. With that being said you can't control how you sleep at night. Each plastic surgeon has their own way of doing things it is best to ask your PS.

Sleeping at some increased angle on your back is the best "position" for you to sleep in after breast surgery. Usually that is just an extra pillow under your back.  I also recommend to most patients to place a pillow under their knees to take any discomfort off of their back and they do great. In addition, I routinely prescribe a muscle relaxant for the first few days after the surgery to help with discomfort and prevent any muscle spasm and that also functions nicely as a "sleep aid" for the first few nights. I hope this helps!

as everyone tosses and turns during the night.  If you didn't move, you would develop pressures sores.  As long as your position is tolerated, it should be fine. 

If you try elevating your head on more pillows, you might sleep better on your back. Should you roll on your side right after surgery, you will probably wake up and just roll back on your back. when it is no longer painful to sleep on your side, then you will be fine.

Immediately after surgery it will be uncomfortable for you to roll onto your side. You will easily learn to fall asleep on your back, because it will be the most comfortable. After about ten days or so you will wake up one morning on your side. That is when you will know that you can comfortably sleep on your side. 

My excellent staff would be happy to provide you with the name of a relatively inexpensive, post-surgery support bra. This would allow you to be comfortable and sleep on your side as necessary. Please feel free to contact us at your convenience.M. Kara, MD, FRCSC.Plastic Surgeon - Over 30 Years ExperienceSpecializing in 24 Hour Recovery Breast Augmentation / Out To Dinner Recovery.

Thank you for your question.  It is often possible to roll gently and partially to one side or the other with your back and had an elevated position after breast augmentation.  The important point is whether or not sleeping partially on one side causes pain and discomfort.  If it does then you should attempt to use multiple pillows behind her back and on each side to help keep you in the proper position.

Sleep in a nest of pillow.  This will help you stay comfortable for a few days before sleeping on your side.  Best wishes!