After a mommy makeover, patients should sleep on their back in a slightly elevated, flexed position to protect healing incisions and support proper recovery. Getting enough rest following mommy makeover surgery is essential, and at our Gilbert, AZ practice, we provide patients with detailed postoperative instructions to help them stay comfortable without compromising their results during the first few weeks of healing.
In this post, I’ll share practical tips to help you sleep more comfortably after a mommy makeover, a procedure that typically includes a tummy tuck, liposuction, and breast augmentation with implants.
How Should You Sleep After a Mommy Makeover?
After a mommy makeover, the back-sleeping position should be maintained with your upper body elevated and your abdomen flexed. This position:
- Avoids pressure on new breast implants
- Reduces tension on tummy tuck incisions
- Minimizes swelling and fluid accumulation in the torso during the initial weeks of recovery
Is Sleeping in a Recliner Best After a Mommy Makeover?
Most patients benefit from sleeping in a recliner for at least a week or two after a mommy makeover, as it’s important to sleep in an upright position after a tummy tuck and breast augmentation. You can prepare by starting to sleep in a recliner several days before your scheduled surgery date. Many patients also find that a recliner is easier to get in and out of during the first few days after surgery.
Why Is Back Sleeping So Important After a Mommy Makeover?
It’s usually a good idea to sleep on your back in general, but we strongly recommend it after a mommy makeover to avoid placing excess pressure on your chest and abdomen. Propping up your torso with pillows can help increase your comfort. You can also position pillows under each arm to prevent rolling over onto your side or stomach.
It’s fairly common to find it difficult to sleep on your back after a mommy makeover, which is why patients are eager to return to their normal sleeping positions, either on their sides or stomachs. Resuming your normal sleeping position too soon can create tension on your sutures and increase the risk of visible scarring.
How Long Do You Need To Avoid Side or Stomach Sleeping?
Most patients need to avoid sleeping on their sides and stomachs for at least the first few weeks after a mommy makeover, until swelling decreases and incisions are well healed. During early healing, sleeping on your side or abdomen can place pressure on the breasts, strain abdominal incisions, and increase tension on sutures. Your surgeon will let you know when it’s safe to gradually resume other sleeping positions based on your recovery progress.
Sleep Position Timeline: After Mommy Makeover Surgery
Sleep recommendations typically change as healing progresses. Although each patient’s mommy makeover recovery is unique, here’s a typical timeline:
Weeks 1–2
- Back sleeping only
- Elevated and flexed position
- Focus: protecting abdominal repair and breast implants
Weeks 3–4
- Back sleeping continues
- Some patients may reduce elevation if swelling allows
- Side and stomach sleeping still avoided
Weeks 4–6 (typical clearance window)
- Side sleeping is often resumed, usually with support pillows and while wearing a surgical or supportive bra
- Clearance depends on incision healing and abdominal comfort
After 6–8+ weeks
- Stomach sleeping may be resumed if the surgeon approves
- Many tummy tuck patients take longer due to abdominal muscle repair
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Additional Tips for Better Sleep After Mommy Makeover Surgery
Here are a few ways to help you get a good night’s sleep after mommy makeover surgery:
Avoid drinks or foods that can inhibit sleep: If you’re trying to adjust to a new sleep position and feeling the normal post-op discomfort of a mommy makeover, avoid foods or drinks that can make it even harder to fall and stay asleep. Caffeine, alcohol, and sugar can all disrupt sleep, and so can browsing your tablet or smartphone at night. By cutting back on these habits and focusing on drinking more water and eating healthier foods, you’ll find it easier to sleep in an unfamiliar position.
Wear your compression garment as instructed: Your compression garment not only supports your treatment areas during the day to ensure a smooth and even result, but it can also make you more comfortable at night. Wearing compression garments while you sleep eases the tension on your incisions, improving comfort.
Make sure to move around during the day: In the first day or two, we recommend getting up for brief periods and walking around the house. You can gradually transition to taking longer walks. This movement improves circulation, minimizes the risk of blood clots, enhances the recovery process, and helps make it easier to sleep at night. Just be sure to limit yourself to light activities, and don’t push yourself physically.
Can Sleeping the Wrong Way Affect Mommy Makeover Results?
Yes, sleeping in the wrong position too soon can place unnecessary tension on incisions and pressure on healing tissues. Side or stomach sleeping may strain abdominal sutures, put pressure on breast implants, or interfere with early scar healing. Following your surgeon’s sleep-position recommendations helps protect your results and supports a smoother recovery.
Explore Your Mommy Makeover Options
If you’re thinking about getting a mommy makeover and want a little motivation, browse our gallery of before-and-after photos featuring some of our actual patients to see the types of results you can expect. You can learn more about the surgery and why combining procedures can be a good idea for the right patients by contacting us using the online form to request a consultation. Or call our office at (480) 466-7355 to schedule an appointment.
This post was originally published in February 2021 and updated in December 2025.
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