How to Sleep Better After Breast Augmentation Surgery

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Our bodies need time to rest and recover after any surgical intervention. Breast augmentation is no exception. However, knowing how you need to adapt your sleep after such a surgery takes time and preparation in advance. 

Therefore, to ensure that you will get enough rest and your body will recover as it should, we made a guide on how to sleep better after breast augmentation surgery. We will go over the importance of sleep, how it helps your body, and what you can do to have plenty of it — especially in the first nights after surgery, when good rest is essential.

Why Is Sleep Important After Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Taking it easy after surgery is not enough to help your recovery. Rest is also essential, but you need to allow your body to heal itself and rejuvenate, and the best healing tool that your body has is sleep. During sleep, your body increases blood flow, allowing oxygen and nutrients to reach wounded tissues. Furthermore, your body releases prolactin and growth hormones as you sleep, which aids in the reduction of inflammation. Hence, you can also use sleep to relieve pain. It is, therefore, necessary to get a minimum of eight hours of sleep each night if you want to recuperate more quickly. Think of it like this: if a healthy body might be well-rested after eight hours of sleep, a healing body will definitely need more.

Unfortunately, it can be hard to get enough hours of sleep right after surgery. It can be hard to find a comfortable position or to ignore all the emotions that can sometimes overwhelm you. However, there are things that you can do to at least raise your chances of having a long, good night’s sleep. So, let us see how you can help yourself sleep better after breast augmentation surgery. 

Good sleep helps your body heal faster after injuries or illnesses. It goes the same with surgeries.

Prepare and Practice

Before any surgery, you need to prepare your mind and body for what will come after the surgery. 

Before breast augmentation, in particular, you need to practice the sleeping position that will allow you to sleep unturned. Yes, unturned is the perfect word to explain how you need to sleep after breast augmentation surgery, especially if you love to sleep on your stomach or your side. 

These postures might put a strain on your implants and alter the appearance of your breasts once they have healed. Therefore, the best position to sleep in is on your back. And because readjusting your sleeping position can be difficult, start practicing sleeping on your back at least one week before surgery. 

To begin with, you can use pillows to position your body correctly before sleep and ensure you don’t turn. For instance, you can put one pillow under each arm to keep you from rolling on one side. Then, you can put a pillow under your knees to keep your back aligned with the rest of your body and avoid lower back pains. And very important: correct your position every time you catch yourself rolling on your stomach or side. Perseverance is the only way to ensure that you adapt to your new sleeping position. 

How and Why Should You Sleep on Your Back After Surgery?

Even if we mentioned that the best sleeping position after breast augmentation surgery is on your back, we need to elaborate on the subject. 

Sleeping flat on your back, for example, will do you no good. It can put pressure on your chest and prevent your muscles from relaxing. Furthermore, lifting yourself from the bed will tense your chest muscles, which is not recommended soon after surgery. 

Instead, sleep on your back with your upper body elevated at a 30 to a 45-degree angle. Your breasts will be less tense as a result, and blood will circulate more efficiently. 

Maintain this sleeping position for at least two to three weeks, after which you might be allowed to sleep on your side. Just make sure you get the green light from your surgeon. 

It might be hard to sleep better after breast augmentation surgery, but sleeping on your back can chase away insomnia.

Tips That Can Help You Sleep Better

Aside from sleeping on your back, there are a few more things you can do to improve your sleep and heal.

1. Wear Supportive Bras

After surgery, your surgeon will recommend you wear a special bra, even at night. This bra supports and keeps breasts in place and reduces swelling and tension around the incisions. 

2. Avoid Alcohol, Caffeine, and Smoking

All three can create a disruption in your sleep and slow down your recovery. If you want to drink coffee, you can switch to decaffeinated for the time being. When it comes to cigarettes and alcohol, remember that your body needs to be strong and healthy to recover quickly, and these two intoxicate your body rather than aid it.

3. Use Medications

The pain you might feel after surgery might sometimes keep you from sleeping. As a result, you will be prescribed pain medication by your surgeon so that you don’t have to endure too much pain. If necessary, ask for a sleeping aid, but use it only if nothing else helps you sleep better.  

4. Stay Active

Moving your body after surgery is encouraged from day one. You can start by walking, taking a few steps around the home, and gradually increasing the distance. Luckily for you, the diversity of the L.A. landscape will quickly incentivize you to “get your steps” in Los Angeles. 

In other words, you can find lots of fun ways to stay active here when you regain some strength, especially during the springtime. For instance, you can go whale watching with your friends or do some light exercises in the park. 

Spending more time outside will help you get a better night’s sleep.

5. Take a Warm Shower

Nothing can relax and prepare you for bed better than a warm shower. However, keep in mind that you should ask your surgeon when it is OK to take a shower. Also, avoid baths in the first few weeks. 

Staying active will help you sleep better and recuperate faster after surgery.

6. Stay Positive

Besides thinking of ways to sleep better and help your body heal faster after surgery, you also need to think about ways to heal your mind. Sleep might be severely affected if you cannot handle your emotions and stay positive, as surgery is a traumatic experience for both the mind and the body. So, if it bothers you that you can’t sleep on your stomach or can’t drink coffee, for example, avoiding these activities is only temporary. Therefore, instead of thinking about what you can’t do, focus on what you can do. Watch a good movie, read a book, eat your favorite meal, and spend time with loved ones. These things can keep your mind off your current state, help you stay positive, and, in turn, help you sleep better after breast augmentation surgery.