Can I Sleep on my Side After a Tummy Tuck?

Each plastic surgeon has his or her own rules for when Mommy Makeover patients can sleep on their sides.  The obvious answer to your question is to check with your plastic surgeon and follow his or her instructions to the "T".  The warm weather in Honolulu must make it easy for patients to sleep on their sides easier than in colder climates.  My tummy tuck patients wear a girdle with Reston foam inside on their abdomen for 2 weeks.  My breast lift patients wear a vest with ABDs (ABD stands for Army Battle Dressing) over each breast for 2 weeks and lay on their backs for 7 days.  The Mommy Makeover patient stays in a lawn chair position with pillows behind their backs and pillows under their knees for 72 hours, then they are allowed to lay flat.  With tummy tuck and breast lift both, patients are allowed to lay on their side with appropriate cushioning after 7 days, but be careful, this may only work in Hawaii.

Following a mommy makeover that includes a tummy tuck, it is important to keep your hips flexed so that you decrease tension on your lower abdominal incision.  Most often this means sitting up in bed at a 45 degree angle and putting a pillow under your knees. Usually is also ok to rest on your side with your hips flexed.  It is best to change positions from time to time rather than staying in only one position. You can straighten out completely after a few weeks.

You can certainly sleep on your side post an abdominoplasty and breast lift. You may not be able to sleep on your side at this point in your recovery but with time you will be able to. Different movement of your core and upper body only being 10 days post-op its very common not being able to sleep on your side quite yet. Consider speaking with your plastic surgeon regarding further concerns for peace-of-mind.