Sleeping on Side After Love Handle Lipo?

     I would follow the postoperative instructions provided by your plastic surgeon.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Please follow your surgeon's post-op instructions. If it is difficult for you to sleep on your back or stomach I suggest you call your surgeon and ask if you can sleep in another position without compromising your recovery. Best of luck!

I would  certainly follow specific instructions provided to you by your plastic surgeon. Compliance with post-operative instructions is the key to a successful outcome. We all have slightly different techniques and experience when it comes to liposuction, so recommendations can be variable from doctor to doctor.  When I perform a  liposuction procedure, I do not have any particular sleeping position recommendations. However if I am combining the procedure with something else, such as abdominoplasty, breast surgery or fat injections, then, yes, I do enforce strict recommendations on sleeping position.

After care instructions vary greatly from surgeon to surgeon, but it is best to be as compliant as possible as he or she is taking responsibility for your care. In general, sleeping on one side or the other may cause more swelling on that side by morning. This is common after eyelid or facelift surgery as well.

Difficulty in finding a comfortable sleeping position is a common problem for patients after they have had liposuction or other body contouring procedure. Your surgeon has considered the procedure that you had and it is important that you follow the instructions that you were given. If you are having that much trouble sleeping, you should call the surgeon's office to see if they might have any other recommendations to help you get some rest, as sleep is important in healing. 

When patients have questions about the postop instructions it is far better to discuss those questions with your surgeon rather than with strangers. Instructions vary from surgeon to surgeon, and I would be quite reluctant to offer advice contrary to your own doctor's. These are guidelines and there are circumstances that will alter the advice, but this should be between you and your surgeon. All the best. 

Thank you for your question. It is best to follow the post op instructions you have been given by your surgeon. If you are having a lot of trouble sleeping it is ok to call the office to understand when you might be able to sleep on your side.

You should follow the instructions of your surgeon.  You cannot pick one doctor to do your procedure and then another to give you post operative instruction.   Frankly I let people sleep anyway they want to but follow your surgeons directions.  My best,  Dr C.