02 Aug How to Sleep Better After Cosmetic Breast Surgery
Tips to Sleep Better After Undergoing Breast Surgery
Getting a Breast Augmentation, Reduction or Lift is a big decision. And the journey doesn’t end once you leave the operating room. The recovery process plays a crucial role in obtaining optimal results and ensuring your body heals properly. One aspect of recovery that often doesn’t get enough attention is sleep. In this blog we will discuss the importance of sleep during your recovery after cosmetic breast surgery.
Recovery after Breast Augmentation surgery can be demanding, both physically and emotionally. Your body needs time to heal and adjust to the new changes. This period can be frustrating. It’s essential to remember that patience is key during this time. Every aspect of your lifestyle, including sleep, diet, and physical activity, will impact your recovery process.
Perth Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Guy Watts is committed to helping his patients achieve optimal results.
Why is Quality Sleep Important after Breast Surgery?
Sleep is often overlooked in the recovery process, but it’s critical to healing and well-being. Post-operative sleep disturbances are common, particularly after cosmetic surgeries such as Breast Augmentation. You might ask yourself why sleep is so important in the recovery process after breast surgery.
Before anything else you should know that sleep allows your body to heal and repair. It is during deep sleep that your body produces growth hormones, which are vital for tissue regeneration and repair. Therefore, adequate sleep ensures a better healing process and a potentially speeder return to daily activities.
More than this, sleep also helps improve your immune system function. Studies show that lack of sleep can impair your immune system, making you more susceptible to infection. This is particularly important after surgery as your body is already in a vulnerable state.
Quality sleep enhances your mental and emotional well-being. Post-operative recovery can be a challenging time, filled with physical discomfort and emotional turmoil. Quality sleep can help alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression, contributing to a more positive recovery experience.
Challenges to Sleep after Cosmetic Breast Surgery
Recovery after breast surgery can present several challenges to a good night’s sleep. Post-operative discomfort and pain, especially during the initial recovery period, can make it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. Anxiety and stress related to the surgery and its outcome can also contribute to sleep disturbances.
Other factors that can impact sleep include medication side effects, such as insomnia or excessive drowsiness, and physical changes to your body. The increased chest weight following Breast Augmentation may require adjustments to your sleeping position, which can disrupt your sleep patterns.
Moreover, the emotional impact of undergoing cosmetic surgery can’t be underestimated. It’s normal to experience a range of emotions, from excitement about your new look to anxiety about the healing process. These emotions can interfere with sleep, causing insomnia or restless sleep.
Strategies to Improve Sleep after Cosmetic Breast Surgery
Despite these challenges, there are several strategies to improve sleep after cosmetic breast surgery. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule can help regulate your body’s internal clock and promote better sleep. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
Creating a sleep-friendly environment can make a big difference. This includes keeping your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool, and investing in a comfortable mattress and pillows. Avoid electronic devices before bed, as the blue light they emit can interfere with your body’s production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep.
Consider incorporating relaxation techniques into your bedtime routine. Activities like reading, meditating, listening to soothing music, or taking a warm bath can help you relax and prepare your body for sleep. Also, avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they can disrupt your sleep patterns.
How to Get Optimal Results after Breast Surgery
Achieving optimal results after breast surgery isn’t just about following your surgeon’s post-op instructions to the letter. It also involves taking care of your overall health and well-being, with sleep being a key component.
Quality sleep can help reduce inflammation, accelerate the healing process, and enhance your body’s ability to cope with post-surgery pain. Furthermore, it can help boost your mood and energy levels, making the recovery process more manageable and pleasant.
However, getting quality sleep after surgery might require some adjustments. You may need to experiment with different sleeping positions to find one that’s comfortable and doesn’t put pressure on your chest. It’s also important to listen to your body and give yourself permission to rest when you need to.
Sleep Positions after Breast Surgery
Your sleep position plays a significant role in your recovery after breast surgery. Sleeping on your stomach or side can put pressure on your breasts and cause discomfort or disrupt the healing process. It’s generally recommended to sleep on your back, with your upper body slightly elevated.
Elevating your upper body can help reduce swelling and discomfort, as it promotes blood circulation and fluid drainage. You can use pillows or a wedge to prop yourself up.
It might take some time to get used to this new sleeping position, especially if you’re normally a side or stomach sleeper. As previously mentioned, patience and persistence can pay off in the long run, contributing to your recovery and better surgical results.
Following Post-Op Instructions for Better Sleep and Recovery
While the above-mentioned strategies can help improve your sleep and recovery after Breast Augmentation surgery, it’s important to seek professional advice. Dr Watts can give you personalised advice based on your specific circumstances and needs.
He can guide you on the best sleeping positions, help manage post-operative pain and discomfort, and provide recommendations on safe over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids. He can also address any concerns or anxieties you may have about your surgery or recovery, which can contribute to better sleep.
Remember, every individual’s recovery journey is unique. Don’t hesitate to speak up and ask questions. Dr Watts’ team is here to support you every step of the way.
Following Dr Watts’ post-op instructions is crucial for a successful recovery and optimal surgical results. These instructions usually include guidelines on wound care, activity levels, medication use, dietary restrictions, and, of course, sleep.
Adhering to these instructions can help prevent complications, manage pain, promote healing, and improve your overall comfort during the recovery period. It can also improve your sleep quality, as good wound care and pain management can reduce discomfort and anxiety, leading to better sleep.
Moreover, Dr Watts’ instructions will likely include recommendations on when and how to resume physical activities. Gradually reintroducing exercise into your routine can help improve your sleep, as physical activity is known to promote better sleep quality.
Sleep Aids and Accessories for Breast Surgery Recovery
There are several sleep aids and accessories that can help improve your sleep during your recovery after breast surgery. These include body pillows, which can provide support and help maintain a comfortable sleep position; sleep masks, which can block out light and promote deeper sleep; and white noise machines, which can drown out disruptive noises and create a soothing sleep environment.
Over-the-counter sleep aids, such as melatonin supplements, may also be beneficial. However, it’s important to consult with Dr Watts before using any over-the-counter sleep aids, as they can interact badly with other medications.
You can also consider investing in a quality mattress and pillows. They can provide the necessary support and comfort, helping you get the restful sleep your body needs to heal.
FAQs about Sleep after Cosmetic Breast Surgery
How to sleep comfortably with breast implants?
- Sleeping comfortably with breast implants largely depends on the individual and their surgeon’s advice. However, some general recommendations include sleeping on your back in an elevated position to reduce swelling and discomfort. You might use multiple pillows or a reclining chair to maintain this position.
- It’s also important to wear the supportive bra or garment recommended by your surgeon while sleeping, as it can provide additional comfort and support.
When can I sleep on my side after Breast Reduction?
- When you can sleep on your side after Breast Reduction varies, but it’s usually recommended to avoid side sleeping for 2-4 weeks following the procedure. This helps to ensure that the healing process is not interrupted and that your results are optimal. Dr Watts will provide you with personalised advice based on your recovery progress.
How long to sleep elevated after Breast Augmentation?
- After a Breast Augmentation, you’re typically advised to sleep with your upper body elevated for about 1 to 2 weeks. This position helps reduce swelling and discomfort while you’re healing. It can be achieved by using several pillows or a medical wedge. However, the exact duration can vary based on individual healing progress and Dr Watts’ recommendations.
How to get out of bed after Breast Augmentation?
- To get out of bed after Breast Augmentation, it’s important to use proper techniques to avoid strain on your incision sites and newly augmented breasts.
- Roll onto your side first, then use your arms to push yourself up into a sitting position. From there, swing your legs over the side of the bed and stand up.
- Remember, it’s important to move slowly and carefully, especially in the first few days following surgery.
Does sleep help recovery after surgery?
- Yes, sleep indeed plays a significant role in recovery after surgery.
- During sleep, your body works to heal and restore itself, which is especially important after a surgical procedure.
- Proper rest can aid in reducing inflammation, promote wound healing, and strengthen the immune system.
- It also helps in reducing the stress and fatigue associated with surgery, thereby accelerating the overall recovery process.
- It’s important to ensure you’re getting quality sleep, and if you have any concerns about sleep disturbances after surgery, discuss them with Dr Watts.
Further Reading about Plastic Surgery with Dr. Guy Watts
- Breast Augmentation Surgery Page
- Breast Reduction Surgery Page
- Breast Lift Surgery Page
- See Dr. Guy Watts’ Breast Gallery Page
- What causes Breast Ptosis (sagging)
Medical References about Sleep after Surgery
Dr. Guy Watts – Specialist Plastic Surgeon In Perth WA
Dr. Guy Watts (AHPRA Medical Reg. MED0001539378) is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with an extensive career that spans across renowned plastic surgery clinics worldwide. His exceptional expertise has been honed through invaluable experiences at esteemed establishments such as the prestigious New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and the renowned Pitanguy Clinic in Brazil.
Having collaborated with the foremost cosmetic plastic surgeons on a global scale, Dr. Watts has chosen to return to Perth after a remarkable 17-year journey of intensive training and invaluable professional experience to bring the latest practices and technology in cosmetic plastic surgery to his patients.
Dr. Watts is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRACS) and a Member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS).
