I had a breast augmentation recently. When I sleep lying flat on my back, I wake up with swelling in my breasts. Is this normal?

This will take more time to resolve. You should be able to sleep on your back even with the swelling. Don't get too worried, it will get better. 

Hello,Thank you for your question. Due to gravity it is common for people to notice increased swelling in the morning after a BA when sleeping flat. Slight elevation of your head and neck while sleeping could reduce your swelling and otherwise it will resolve on its own within a couple of weeks. All the best 

Dear dvrueIf you have additional swelling by laying flat, sleep at 45 degrees until that resolves, usually a month postop. It doesn't sound concerning. I do recommend you see your surgeon to be examined to make sure there is no additional fluid around the implant.

Thank you for the question. Early after breast augmentation, implants tend to sit higher on the chest wall. It takes several weeks for the implants to drop in their final pocket. Implants sit even higher after several hours of lying flat, which makes the top part of your breast look swollen. During the day, implants come down as a result of gravity, and so the breasts look less swollen. Eventually, this problem resolves once the implants descend into their final position along the inframammary crease, usually within 2-3 months. This time is variable in different patients. If the implants are still sitting too high after 2-3 weeks, then the process can be expedited by using breast binders. I hope this answered your question. Good luck!

Congratulations on your recent surgery. I would speak with your surgeon about their specific recommendations, but I recommend the my patients sleep on their back for the first 4-6 weeks. Regarding sleeping up in a 45° angle, I don't think it matters. I would do whatever is most comfortable. 

Swelling -- independent of sleep position -- is completely to be expected at 2 weeks post op. This will improve with time, but it may take anywhere from 3-6 months to fully resolve. Continue to follow your surgeon's instructions and sleep on your back until you have to go ahead to switch to your side. Hope this helps and best of luck.

What you are experiencing is entirely normal early on. It can take three to six months for most of this to resolve but variable swelling can take up to a year to fully resolve. Be patient and don't worry.Steven Turkeltaub, MD

All the symptoms you are describing improve with time. It will take 3 months for the swelling to improve and 6 months for the implants to settle. Best wishes,Dr. Ravi Somayazula

Thank you for your question.  I would stay elevated when sleeping, you just need another week or two before you can sleep flat again.

Hello. Hope you are well. Yes it is normal to experience swelling for the first month after surgery. It is okay and safe to sleep flat on your back, but you may need to sleep with some elevation for a few more days/weeks if you are still experiencing noticeable swelling. Good support while you sleep will help prevent swelling and discomfort when you first wake up. Taking Ibuprofen as needed could also help with swelling. Make sure to keep following up with your surgeon. Happy healing!!