Can I take a unisom sleep aid to help sleep the night after my lipo suction of the abdomen procedure?

Hello, thank you for your question

Please touch base with your surgeon and your recovery/postop team. It is very important to know that they are your best friends and should be involved in your recovery as much as possible. Make sure you touch base with them and follow their directions to recover as best and seamless as possible. All the best!

Alex Zuriarrain, MD

Cleveland Clinic Trained Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Unisom contains an antihistamine Doxylamine, which is similar to Benadryl. Some antihistamines have the side effect of drowsiness that may be helpful in this situation. Importantly, antihistamines do not depress respiration at recommended doses, so they are generally safe after surgery. Of course, it's always a good idea to check with your doctor. Good luck. 

An otc sleep aid is just an antihistamine which has a side effect of drowsiness. Benadryl is an example and the benefit also is that they are also anti-nausea as well.  Just don't take them at the same time as your pain meds since they potentiate the pain meds.

Using sleep aids after surgery can be tricky. You will still have anesthesia on board plus the effects of pain medications. A sleep aid might be too much. Discuss this with your surgeon.

Beth.   A mild sleep aid like Unisom may be OK the night after surgery, if you do not take it in unison with your pain medications. Your best option is to discuss your specific issues with your plastic surgeon, as he or she has a full grasp of medications already prescribed to you. It is not a good idea to combine postoperative pain and sleep meds.  Please call your surgeon before taking any meds not prescribed by your surgeon..

Dear bethtilldeath,every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.Daniel Barrett, MD

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Good question!
Consultation with your plastic surgeon regarding sedating medications is key because with liposuction there are many factors at play:
1) anesthesia drugs can take 24 hours to "wash out" and clear from the body.  
2)post operative pain medications are prescribed by the plastic surgeon and he or she should be aware that the patient is not on too many sedating medications.
3) liposuction is done with tumescent solution which may or may not contain local anesthetics. If the tumescent solution contains a local anesthetic it can take time to clear and sometimes does not peak until 12-18 hours after surgery.
Thus your plastic surgeon is the best guide of how and when to take medications after surgery.  Good luck!

Dear Bethtilldeath,Hello and thank you for your excellent question. I suggest that you check with your plastic surgeon regarding his or her recommendations for postoperative sleeping medication.  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. For the last 12 years, we have been developing a proprietary technique that we call IDEAL Liposuction. First off, all devices and instruments used are FDA-approved, unlike some of the liposuction and fat transfer devices being used today. These procedures are usually performed in the office, with only local anesthesia. We typically use Smart / Laser Liposuction or VASER (ultrasound) to reduce dense, fibrous fat, and stimulate collagen formation; Radiofrequency-based skin tightening (like Body Tite, or Thermi) 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

Dear Ms. Bethtildeath,
Thank you for your story and questions. 
Doxylamine is the generic name and is also known under the  brand names of: Unisom, Wal-Som (doxylamine), Nighttime Sleep-Aid (doxylamn).
It is a Antihistamine which can treat hay fever, allergy symptoms and can be used a is non prescription sleep aid. 
Not knowing your past medical history or other medications I would recommend contacting your Plastic Surgeon and pharmacist for their advice. 
In general I advise patients to stop (exception plain Tylenol) all non prescription medications 2 weeks prior to surgery to prevent any untoward medication/anesthesia interactions. 
I trust you have chosen a experienced Plastic Surgeon who is Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (denoting by membership as having met additional criteria and a focus on Cosmetic Plastic Surgery).
My best wishes on a safe and successful surgery,
Dr. R. A. Hardesty, MD, FACS
Diplomate and Certified by the Am. Bd. of Plastic Surgery
wwww imagineplasticsurgery.com
Awardee: RealSelf Top 100
4646 Brockton Ave
Riverside, Calif 92506
Office 951 686-7600
Fax 951 369-9999