How to sleep after a Mommy Makeover: What are the best and most comfortable positions during recovery?

The best recovery positions for sleep following a mommy makeover are going to be those that keep any strain off of your abdominal area and lower back. Resting in a recliner or any comfortable position that allows for a slight bend at the waistline while using pillows to support your back and legs will be fine.  Make sure to plan for having your caregiver help you up and down for the first few days. 

In my own practice I don't have any specific restrictions on position sleeping after a mommy makeover. Generally a position that is comfortable will not put any undue stress on tissues that have been operated upon. Nevertheless, if you have any doubts check with your own surgeon.

Typically, a mommy makeover includes a tummy tuck and most patients feel comfortable when sleeping in a slightly flexed, or bent position, while on their back. This can be done by placing pillows under your back and your knees. I advise my patients to do this for the first couple of days but gradually they will feel less tight and they are able to sleep flat on their back. Good luck!

The key element to a Mommy Makeover is the tummy tuck.  A well done tummy tuck requires significant tightening of the abdominal skin, and therefore for the first 3 days after a tummy tuck, if you were my patient I would recommend sleeping with between 35-45 degrees of flexion at the waist.  In bed, this is accomplished usually with pillows behind the back and pillows under the knees.A second choice which many of my patients have recommended is the use of a recliner chair which gives the flexion required as a integral part of the settings of the chair.  In my office, we refer to this flexion as the lawn chair position.  We have patients remain in the lawn chair position for 72 hours, and then after that, they can either lie flat on their backs or in some degree of fetal position on their sides until they feel comfortable lying flat.   

Mommy makeover is not a procedure, but a term used to describe various surgical procedures designed to restore a woman's body after she is finished having children.  Because the most common procedure in mommy makeover is a tummy tuck, I will assume you are wondering what is the best position to sleep in after a tummy tuck.  This also applies to breast surgeries.We recommend to our patients to sleep with their back elevated, and legs elevated.  A beach chair position.  This takes away any tension from the abdominal incision and is the position of comfort.  This also applies to any breast surgery.  It keeps you from turning to the sides, keeps your head elevated, and helps with the swelling.

This answer this question will somewhat depend on the procedures that you had performed. If you had breast work and a tummy tuck generally patients find it most comfortable to sleep in a semi reclined position. This can be achieved either by resting in a recliner or simulating that position with pillows. This position takes the pressure off the abdominal muscles and supports the back. Visit with your surgeon to learn more.

We advise our patients to lay/sleep at a 45 degree angle. This is necessary as it takes tension off of the abdominal incision allowing for your scars to heal with unnecessary and excessive tension applied.

Thanks for your question.  Generally you will be sleeping on your back in an elevated position with your hips flexed.  This is necessary to take the tension off of your abdomen and to help keep your breasts elevated to minimize swelling.  Some patients prefer to sleep in a recliner for the first week or so; it is easier to get in and out of compared to the bed.  As you get farther out, you will be able to lay straighter/flatter as your abdomen relaxes.  Generally, I keep my patients in an underwire sports bra for about 2 months.  I also advise my patients to stay on their back during that time period to avoid pushing their implants out of position.  Good luck.  

Since the tummy tuck is usually part of a mommy makeover, it will be important to stay a little bit bent at the waist for a couple of weeks in order to protect the new incision. If you prefer to sleep in bed, a step up at the side of the bed helps. 2 or more pillows under your head AND under your knees will help you maintain the appropriate position.  Alternatively, many women prefer to stay in a chair recliner that may be easier to get in and out of. After about 2 weeks, you will be able to stand up straighter and will be able to straighten out better in bed.

Thank you for the question.Many patients feel most comfortable sitting or sleeping on a recliner or bed  after tummy tuck surgery. The use of pillows beneath the knees and back will be helpful. You want to stay flexed/bent  at the waist to take attention off the lower abdominal wall incision line.Best wishes.