Will Sleeping Upright Help my Breasts Drop?

Question

I have read alot about sleeping upright, but am not convinced of its merits. I am 2 weeks post-op with 325cc silicone anatomical dual-planes. Its hard to sleep upright, but if it helps them to drop faster, or effects the final result of my breasts, I will persevere. My PS gave me thumbs up to sleep on my side or back. I am curious about the general consensus on this topic. Does sleeping upright have short or long term benefits? Thank you!

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

If your PS surgeon advised you to sleep elevated, follow his instructions.  Sleeping upright may help with swelling as well. 

	SEE VIDEO with EXERCISES BELOW. This video illustrates some of the exercises as well as upper pole band to promote descent of the breast implants. I sometimes encourage patients to do this twice or three times as frequently on the higher side

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

Breast
implant position would be minimally impacted by sleeping in the upright
position. Although this maneuver might
have a slight impact on swelling, its biggest impact would be upon your ability
to sleep. For this reason, we see no
benefit to sleeping in this position for prolonged periods of time.The period of time immediately
following breast augmentation surgery is characterized by rapid change. During this period, swelling, muscle spasm,
and the healing process itself all contribute to changes in the appearance of a
woman’s breast.In some cases, swelling
and muscle spasm can cause upper breast fullness.When swelling and muscle spasm
resolve, the implants will drop into a more normal position.Significant progress can be seen in four to
six weeks, but changes can be expected up to six months following surgery.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

It's essential that you get a good night's sleep while you recover, since this is far more beneficial in helping your results appear sooner. Sleeping upright is uncomfortable and won't give you the rest you need. Ask your surgeon if a tensor bandage wrapped around the top of your breasts will help accelerate the rate at which they settle.

William Bruno, MD · Answer

Sleeping upright for the first few days after surgery will help decrease some of the swelling, but will not make the implants "drop" faster.  You can sleep on your side after about a week or so but should avoid stomach sleeping for a few months.  The implants will settle or "drop" naturally over time provided your surgeon created an adequate pocket or space for the implants.  This whole process may take up to three months for the implants to soften and settle into their  final natural position/shape.

	Please speak with your board certified plastic surgeon for more detailed information.

	Best wishes,

	Dr. Bruno

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

I believe sleeping upright has no merit on helping implants to settle.  In my humble opinion I believe that when you place all implants that when I leave the OR the final shape should have been obtained.  I will say in my experience that saline implants will "ride high and settle" over time but silicone implants do not.  There is a smaller margin for error with silicone implants.

	Dr. ES

Scott C. Sattler, MD, FACS · Answer

I'm sure you are anxious to see your implants 'drop' into their intended position- this takes time, sometimes a few weeks to occur. Since you had a dual-plane breast augmentation, your inferior pectoral attachments were completely divided- this means what is holding your implants 'up high' is the pressure of your pectoral muscles. Once the pecs relax over the implant, they will drop into the lowest position of the implant pocket- which is defined by the infra-mammary fold in your case. The 'pec strap' bras help with implant positioning (in my opinion), but time and gravity will do the work !!

William Rahal, MD · Answer

Disclaimer: Every surgeon has different post-operative instructions, or preferences, regarding post-operative care. You should listen to your own surgeon.
It is standard protocol for a patient to sleep on their back with their head slightly elevated after surgery. This will help with the swelling. But it is also only for the first few days.
If you really want to sleep on your side and feel comfortable doing so, it’s ok. Feeling comfortable is the key here, and the timing is different from patient to patient.
There is no long term benefit to how you sleep. It has more to do with managing the initial states of the recovery period.

Ronald Levine, MD · Answer

The benefits of sleeping upright may be that gravity will help push your breasts down while you sleep, however the pros of doing so don't outweigh the cons. Sleep and rest are crucial for your recovery, and if you aren't sleeping well, that means your body won't recover well. Better to sleep normally, but with a strap around the top of your breasts to help push them down!

Jeffrey Weinzweig, MD, FACS · Answer

It will take 3-6 months before the implants settle. Sleeping upright will not speed this process up or have any real beneficial effect on the final results.

Robert Brueck, MD · Answer

I don't think sleeping upright will affect the final result one way or another.If you want the breast to drop or settle in then wearing a breast strap might help.

Will Sleeping Upright Help my Breasts Drop?

Answers (17)