How to Sleep After Lipo 360

Overview

  • It’s best to sleep on your back in a slightly elevated position for at least two weeks after lipo 360 surgery.
  • Some patients can comfortably and safely transition to side sleeping after the initial two weeks.
  • Avoid sleeping on your stomach while healing from lipo 360.

General Best Practices

Sleeping after surgery can be difficult, and doing so after a lipo 360 procedure can present some challenges since the surgery affects your front, back, and sides. There are a few ways you can help yourself, however, and taking your pain medication as prescribed is one of the most important. Taking your medication as directed will help you stay ahead of any pain that could otherwise keep you awake at night. It's also important to eat a high-fiber diet. Prescription pain medication can cause constipation, and that can be uncomfortable. The bloating and cramping of constipation can make it difficult to sleep even when you're keeping your pain under control. Follow your surgeon's instructions and wear your compression garment while you sleep. Doing so will provide support to your midsection and keep everything in position while you sleep. This will ultimately make you more comfortable. Use soft, comfortable bedding to avoid irritating the treated areas. Ensure your bedroom is kept at a comfortable temperature to avoid overheating, which can increase swelling and discomfort.

Is There a Best Sleeping Position?

After lipo 360, it is generally recommended that you sleep on your back with your upper body slightly elevated. This position helps reduce swelling and prevents putting pressure on the treated areas. Prop yourself on pillows to support your back and keep your upper body elevated. Placing pillows under your knees can also help reduce strain on your lower back and help you maintain a comfortable position.

Can You Sleep on Your Stomach?

You should avoid sleeping on your stomach after your lipo 360 procedure. Doing so can put undue pressure on the areas treated by liposuction, potentially causing discomfort, increasing swelling, and interfering with the healing process. Stomach sleeping can also put pressure on any abdominal sutures, which are common after the procedure.

Can You Sleep on Your Side After Lipo 360?

If you're a side sleeper, sleeping on your side after a lipo 360 procedure can be more comfortable than sleeping on your back, but it's essential to take precautions to ensure it doesn't interfere with your healing process. Unless your surgeon says otherwise, it's generally best to wait about two weeks after surgery before transitioning back to side sleeping. When you do transition to your side, place a pillow between your knees to align your spine and another under your torso to reduce pressure on the treated areas. Make sure that the areas treated with liposuction are not under direct pressure. Adjust your position with pillows to distribute your weight evenly. Listen to your body and pay attention to any signs of discomfort or increased swelling. If side sleeping causes pain or discomfort, switch back to sleeping on your back until you are further along in your lipo 360 recovery. You can also try different pillow arrangements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to sleep on my back after lipo 360?

You will have to sleep on your back for about two to four weeks after lipo 360. Generally, side sleepers can resume their normal sleeping position in two weeks, while stomach sleepers must wait four. Individual healing and your plastic surgeon’s preferences can vary, however, so always default to the timeline your doctor gives you if it’s different.

Can I sleep on my stomach if I had lipo 360 with a BBL?

No. You do need to keep pressure off of your buttocks after a BBL, but sleeping on your stomach isn’t the answer. You’ll still want to sleep on your back with your upper body elevated. The difference is that you will sit on your BBL pillow rather than directly on your bed. This will eliminate buttock pressure while you sleep.

What happens if I accidentally sleep on my side or stomach after lipo 360?

If you wake up one night and discover you’ve rolled onto your side or stomach while asleep, don’t panic. You don’t want to make a habit out of this, but one night probably won’t cause any major problems. To prevent future position changes, try placing pillows along your sides to help stop you from rolling over. You may also want to try sleeping in a recliner where your movements will be more limited.

Improper sleeping positions can increase swelling, pain, and discomfort. As such, you may be a bit more uncomfortable after a night spent sleeping on your side or stomach. This is expected, but contact your surgeon if you experience any sharp pain or an increase in swelling in just one area.

Why is sleeping position so important after lipo 360?

In the throes of insomnia, it’s pretty easy to say nasty things about your plastic surgeon and wonder why they’re making you sleep in a position you dislike. We forgive you, and we promise that there are good reasons for sleeping on your back. Doing so helps minimize swelling, working with gravity to pull extra fluids down and away from your surgical sites. If you sleep on your side, for example, it’s much more likely that excess fluid will pool on your side and increase localized swelling there.

Back sleeping also alleviates pressure on your incision sites so they don’t pull open or experience high tension, which can worsen scarring. It further helps to protect the smooth contour of your skin, eliminating creases and wrinkles in it that could alter the way your skin lies over your newly shaped body.

Can I use a recliner instead of a bed after lipo 360?

Absolutely! Some patients are much more comfortable sleeping in a recliner after their surgery. Doing so helps keep your upper body elevated, raises your feet to alleviate pressure, and minimizes the amount of room you have for accidental rollovers while asleep.

Does sleeping position affect my final lipo 360 results?

Yes. And significantly. Improper sleeping positions can increase swelling, add to recovery time, cause permanent uneven body contours, and wrinkle or crease the skin. Lipo 360 is an investment of both your time and money. Protect your investment by following your plastic surgeon’s sleep recommendations and other post-op instructions.

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