For the first 6 weeks after breast augmentation, most patients are advised to sleep on their backs with their upper body elevated. This helps reduce swelling, minimize pressure on implants and incisions, and support healing.
At Advanced Plastic Surgery Institute, we advise our patients that getting good sleep after surgery is essential to a smooth recovery, reduced discomfort, and optimal results. Below, we’ll explain in more detail about how to sleep after breast augmentation, when you can change positions, and share tips to help you recover as comfortably and cautiously as possible.
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Why Is Good Sleep Vital After Breast Augmentation?
Sleep is essential to a healthy immune system and helps speed breast augmentation recovery. Here’s how you can benefit from a good night’s sleep after surgery:
- Healing: When we sleep, the body is still and can dedicate more blood flow to the injured muscles and tissues, delivering oxygen and nutrients to promote healing.
- Pain relief: Sleep plays a part in our response to pain. According to WebMD, getting more sleep can help reduce the amount of pain you experience.
Your body has to work hard to heal from body contouring surgery, whether you’ve had a breast augmentation, breast lift, or a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). This is why you are likely to feel fatigued in the days following your surgery. You should aim to get 8 hours of sleep per night, and ideally more when your body is healing.
What’s the Best Position for Sleeping After Breast Augmentation?
The best sleeping position after breast augmentation is on your back with your upper body elevated. This position supports proper healing during early recover by:
- Minimizing fluid buildup
- Enhancing circulation
- Keeping the breasts in a more natural position as the implants settle
Elevated back sleeping also makes it easier and safer to get out of bed. Because pushing, pulling, or bearing weight through the arms and chest is discouraged after surgery, sleeping upright reduces the need to engage these muscles when changing positions or standing up.
Many patients find it most comfortable to sleep in a recliner. Alternatively, you can use wedge pillows or stacked pillows in bed to maintain proper elevation and stay in the recommended position throughout the night.
Can I Sleep Flat on My Back?
After several days, when swelling and bruising have gone down, you can usually sleep flat on your back if you feel comfortable doing so.
When Can I Sleep on My Side After Breast Augmentation?
You can typically return to side sleeping (while wearing a supportive bra) at 6 weeks. In the first several weeks after surgery, it’s important that you don’t sleep on your side or roll onto your side in your sleep. This could put pressure on the implant or your incisions, negatively affecting your healing and results. Sleeping on your stomach is an absolute no-no until you get the green light from your surgeon.
How Can I Get Used To Sleeping on My Back?
Most patients get used to sleeping on their back by creating a supportive sleep setup that makes the position feel natural and comfortable during recovery. Training your body ahead of time can help you adjust. Here are a few tips to help you get used to sleeping on your back before your actual surgery date:
- Use positioning pillows. Extra pillows in the bed can help you keep your body positioned correctly. Many people successfully sleep on their backs by placing a pillow under each arm.
- Keep a pillow under your knees. This helps maintain proper alignment of your back and can also help alleviate lower back discomfort.
- Don’t quit. Always roll to your back when you catch yourself on your side or stomach.
- Use a special pillow that will hold your head in place. This will prevent your head from rolling to one side and give you good support.
How Long Will I Have To Sleep on My Back?
Once you are fully healed at around 6 weeks, you may return to whatever sleeping position you like. However, continuing to sleep on your back has some benefits. This position can prevent neck and back pain because it keeps your head, neck, and spine in a neutral position. There is also some evidence that sleeping on your back is better for preventing the formation of lines and wrinkles.
Tips for Sleeping Comfortably During Recovery
Follow these tips for a restful and smooth breast augmentation recovery:
- Wear a supportive bra when you sleep. This will help hold your breasts in place, ease tension on your incisions, reduce swelling, and enhance your recovery overall.
- Take a warm shower (not a bath) in the evening. This is a proven technique for relaxation and getting to sleep faster.
- Walk around regularly throughout the day. Movement helps circulation and reduces the risk of developing blood clots. It also helps keep you from getting stiff and achy from too much immobility.
- Avoid known sleep disruptors. Caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and electronic screens can interfere with healthy sleep patterns.
Learn more about the benefits of self-care after breast augmentation.
Schedule Your Consultation
To start your breast augmentation journey at my Gilbert, AZ, practice, please contact us online or call (480) 466-7355 to request a consultation.
This post was originally published in February 2018 and updated in May 2024 and January 2026.
Your Blog is very nice. So many people getting help from your blog.wish to see much more like this. Thanks for sharing usefully post.
Very useful information, my questions about post-op sleeping were answered.
After breast EXPLANTSURGERYshould I be sleeping upright in a recliner or bed sitting UP
Follow your surgeons instructions but I usually recommend sitting mostly upright for 1-2 weeks. A recliner is often easier than a bed so if that’s an option go for it.
Thank you, this advice is great