How do I sleep after a mommy makeover?

It’s not unusual for patients have
difficulty sleeping on their back following surgery. For this reason, they are
often eager to return to side or abdomen sleeping. Unfortunately after mommy
makeover surgery, we feel it’s important to keep the abdomen flexed for one to
two weeks following surgery. This avoids tension on the wound closure and
minimizes the potential for wound breakdown and spread of the scar.

Therefore, we generally recommend
that patients sleep in a recliner chair for one to two weeks following mommy
makeover surgery. Although patients may stay flexed while sleeping on their
sides, they sometimes turn and extend their backs reflexedly In addition, side
sleeping can cause displacement of breast implants following breast
augmentation. These problems don’t occur in a recliner chair.

No two patients are the same, for
this reason, it’s important to individualize postoperative care. In some cases,
the use of pillows and muscle relaxants may be helpful. Occasionally back
massage is helpful as well. If you’re concerned about these issues, it’s
important to discuss them with your surgeon. 

This is a common question from patients who get mommy makeovers. Each plastic surgeon has specific post-op instructions that include recommended sleeping positions. Because a mommy makeover includes breast surgery, it's important to avoid putting pressure on that area along with the abdomen. Using pillows can help, along with sleeping on your side if needed. Contact your surgeon about using prescription pain medicine as a way to help you sleep. 
Best of LuckDr. Romanelli

Each plastic surgeon advises his or her patient to follow rules that that plastic surgeon believes in.  The answer to this question should come directly from your operating plastic surgeon.  That being said, in my practice, one can lay flat after the first 3 days.  That's also when the drains are removed.  The low back pain you are experiencing could possibly be from liposuction of the flanks.  Again, in my practice, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, such as Advil, are appropriate after the first 5 days.  The greatest amount of swelling after any surgery, but certainly after the multiple surgeries of a Mommy Makeover, occur at the 5th or 6th day.  Therefore, much of the pain you are experiencing may be from fluid, which your body will mobilize and urinate out within the next day or two.  

After a mommy makeover that includes breast enhancement procedures and a tummy tuck, you need to avoid putting pressure on those areas for several weeks, which of course can make sleeping difficult. If you have a recliner at home, it’s worth trying to sleep in that. You could also try using pillows behind your back and/or under your knees. If your lower back pain persists, it’s important that you follow up with your plastic surgeon. Best of luck to you.

The answer to this is very individualized.  Overall I recommend my patients use a lot of pillows to help behind their back and behind the knees.  A bit of knee flexion (bend) seems to help a lot for my patient's feedback.  Sleeping on your side can be fine, but should be done in a way to still protect the surgical work overall.  For more information, please go to my website at:WirthPlasticSurgery.com

Every patient who has an aggressive tummy tuck will develop some back pain during the recovery period.  It is beneficial for your abdominal skin to stay “relaxed” during the initial healing phase, so maintaining a bent posture is good for the skin.  However, maintaining a bent posture for 1 week will cause your back muscles to become sore or spasm, which causes the back pain.  At my one week visit, I start to allow patients to stand straighter, which helps the back pain resolve in about 2 or 3 days.

Use a lot of pillows on your back. Also sleeping on the sides and hugging pillows will help you. Percocet should not be used to help you sleep. It will reduce the pain but will not induce sleep and it will make you constipated, which will cause additional problems. Lot of walking will increase blood flow and circulation and will expedite the recovery. Think about the final results in order to encourage yourself.

There is no "one" particular position for sleep. The "one" is the one that allows you to sleep. As you know, we change positions naturally all night during our sleep. I recommend that my patients get in any position that's comfortable, and your body will tell you what that is. And yes, it's ok to take Percocet to help with your discomfort and help you sleep. Talk with your Plastic Surgeon who may have some good ideas for you.

Thank you for your question.

Yes, sometimes it is difficult to sleep after Mommy Makeover. Sometimes I ask patients to sleep on their side (in the fetal position) to alleviate lower back pain.  Discuss this with your plastic surgeon to see if he/she agrees with this.

It will get better with time... be patient.

Best wishes.

It can be so hard to find a comfortable position for sleeping after surgery.  I think that a couple of body pillows come in very, very handy to help with positioning and they don't shift around like small pillows do.  Most patients can find a safe and comfortable position on their side within a couple of days of surgery.  Make sure you check with your doctor about what position he/she thinks is safe.

Also, don't hesitate to take a dose of pain medication before bed time and your doctor may even recommend a separate sleeping medication for a few days until you get your regualr sleep schedule back.  Also, there are lots of apps with very soothing music to help calm a racing mind.  That can be helpful and make sure the kids, the dog and the cat are banished from your bedroom! 

Sleep deprivation is a terrible thing and can make recovery harder than it should be.