How to Sleep Correctly After a Breast Augmentation Procedure (2024)

FAQs

How long do you need to sleep upright after breast augmentation? ›

Essentially, you'll need to sleep in an elevated position after breast augmentation surgery for at least one to two months (around six weeks for the majority of patients). The reason is that this position helps to reduce swelling, largely by taking the pressure off the incision areas and the implants themselves.

You can begin sleeping on your side two weeks after breast augmentation. However, sleeping on your back with your upper body elevated is still the best position for an uncomplicated speedy recovery.

Avoid lying on your stomach for the first few weeks. Use a pillow against your side to help keep you in place. Sleep at a reclined angle, half-sitting up, to relieve pressure on your implants.

Your breast implants may appear to be bigger or fuller once they've dropped to a lower, more natural-looking position on your chest and "fluffed" into a rounder and softer shape. Changes in the size or shape of your new breasts after augmentation can also occur as swelling and tightness subside.

Patients should wait at least 1 – 2 weeks after breast augmentation before lifting their arms over their heads. You can, however, move your arms around periodically to prevent any stiffness. A good rule of thumb is to avoid any movement that causes discomfort or pain.

We recommend sleeping on your back and a little elevated (like in a recliner chair) for the first 3 weeks after surgery. Gravity in this situation pulls the swelling downward and away from the implants.

Generally speaking, implants begin to drop and fluff after a few days, approach their final position after six weeks, and settle entirely after three months.

Capsular Contracture: Heavy activity before you have healed enough from breast augmentation can cause capsular contracture, an uncomfortable condition that can only be corrected with surgery.

Some of my Montreal breast augmentation patients complain about stomach bloating after surgery. However, it is important to remember that it is generally not harmful. Maximum swelling usually occurs 3-5 days after your surgery and it will generally go away completely in two weeks and even as early as 5 to 7 days.

What is the fastest way to recover from breast augmentation? ›

You'll notice the first signs of implant drop after a few days, and this process can be moved along by using a breast band and massaging your implants to promote faster dropping. (Silicone gels and sheeting may minimize your scarring as well.)

Implants have their risks, so do your research.

Over 10% of patients reportedly experience capsular contraction, a hardening of the breast caused by shrinking scar tissue around the implant. It's possible to develop an infection, which could happen days, years, or even decades after the procedure.

How Long Does the Pain Last After Breast Augmentation? Some pain and tenderness are common for two to three weeks following breast augmentation, particularly around the incisions.

After the surgery you will probably feel weak. You may feel sore for 2 to 3 weeks, and you'll likely have a lot of swelling. You may have a pulling or stretching feeling in your breast area. You can expect to feel better and stronger each day, although you may need pain medicine for a week or two.

The softening process is referred to as “fluffing”, and can last anywhere from eight weeks to six months. If your breasts feel hard longer than six months, see your plastic surgeon. Postoperative swelling contributes to the firmness of newly-placed breast implants, as does their placement.

Your First Week after Augmentation

You will see very little side or bottom rounding of the breasts, often looking square, with little outward projection and minimal bottom fullness. Have no fear! This is all normal.

Answer: Implant drop sensation

The muscle usually holds the implant up until it relaxes. This may be related to muscle spasm, and I suppose it is possible to feel it relax a bit.

Placing the implant below the muscle does typically make the implant look slightly smaller as the muscle will give the implant a touch more of a natural slope. It also compresses the implant, which makes the breast look slightly smaller.

Breast massages should be performed two to three times a day for two to three minutes at a time. It is recommended to perform these frequently for the first three months of your healing process; however, continuing this habit afterward will only aid in your results.

How do you relax your muscles after breast augmentation? ›

Massage of the back helps relax the anterior chest wall muscles. These muscles are connected by layers of fibrous tissue and for this reason; massage of the back can help alleviate spasm in the frontal muscles which cover the breast implants. With time, these symptoms improve and patients are ultimately happy.

Drop and Fluff Timeline

It will feel tight especially while breathing deeply with discomfort on your upper abdomen. Pain meds will be prescribed to manage the pain and discomfort. Bruising and swelling around the implants is normal, and the implant contour is less defined until the swelling decreases.

After the surgeon removes the breast tissue, a plastic surgeon puts in a breast implant. The implant can be put under the skin or muscle on your chest. Mesh is sometimes used to hold the implant in place, much like a hammock or sling.

Swelling – You'll experience some swelling in the breast region after your procedure, and this can result in a modest weight gain. As with fluid retention, you'll lose this extra weight as your swelling subsides.

You can use your arms after breast augmentation but you should not lift/push anything that is heavy. If you have to use your arms increasingly, you can use a breast band to keep your implants from lifting.

First and foremost, drink plenty of water! Water serves a lot of functions in the body and will be particularly good to reduce swelling after surgery.

During your recovery, your activity level will be significantly reduced. This decrease in movement can lead to fluid retention, increasing your swelling and bloating symptoms. Without being able to engage in the physical activity you usually would, you may even recognise a small weight gain. This is completely normal!

In some cases, postsurgical swelling may account for up to 5 – 10 pounds of excess weight after breast augmentation, though patients should notice their weight returning to normal as the swelling subsides, which may take up to 2 – 3 weeks.

Sleeping in a recliner for the first few nights after your procedure (or with pillows propping up your head and torso) is ideal for reducing the swelling of your breasts and soreness. It's also easier to get up without using your upper body muscles. Elevating your upper body encourages scar tissue to form and heal.

The swelling is expected to completely disappear in 2 months. At this time, the muscles will start to relax. It may take up to 6 months for the muscles to fully relax and stretch – known as dropping and fluffing.

How long should I wear a bra at night after breast surgery? ›

After your breast augmentation surgery, your surgeon will recommend wearing your surgical bra every day, including when you sleep. The bra helps your implants settle to give you the best possible results while aiding in healing. Wear the surgical bra for 6-8 weeks.

The First Week

For the first 4 to 7 days, you should stay home from work and continue resting as much as possible. Avoid strenuous activity of any kind. By the end of the first week, you should notice your energy coming back to you and your pain and soreness lessening quite a bit.

In most cases, patients continue sleeping on their back for at least 2 – 4 weeks after breast lift surgery to minimize discomfort. Some patients are able to resume side-sleeping comfortably after 1 – 2 weeks, though stomach-sleeping may remain uncomfortable or painful for much longer.