Having a tummy tuck surgery can be an exciting experience. Still, it’s also essential to understand the recovery process and how to make sure you have a comfortable sleep after your mini tummy tuck procedure. Sleeping in the correct position is critical for proper healing and avoiding complications. In this blog post, we will provide some helpful tips on getting a good night’s restful sleep after your tummy tuck surgery so that you can recover quickly and safely. We hope these suggestions help ensure that your recovery goes smoothly!
To summarise, you need to be sleeping lying flat on your back, with slightly elevated legs and top of your body; this will not just be the best position to help heal, but being that slightly elevated, you will have a slight angle to reduce the chance of rolling over to your side. So let’s get into the detail:
How does a tummy tuck work?
Having a tummy tuck surgery can be an exciting experience, but it is essential to understand the recovery process and how to get a good night of rest afterward. During the tummy tuck surgery, the Surgeon will make an incision on the lower abdomen just above the pubic line using general anesthesia. Depending on the amount of excess skin removal, that is, stubborn fat or extra skin that needs to be removed, this incision may vary in length based on whether the patient is undergoing a mini, complete, or extended tummy tuck procedure. This incision removes excess fat and skin from the abdominal region, and the surgeon can tighten and reinforce the abdominal fascia (muscles). After completing all this, any remaining skin is pulled tight and secured with sutures for a newly sculpted abdominal area and contour.
What will I feel like after the tummy tuck?
Post-surgery, you may feel some difficulty standing up straight, pain, bruising, and numbness in your abdomen that can last anywhere from a few months to several years. For this reason, many patients must know how to sleep comfortably after this type of surgery.
Why do you Sleep on Your Back After Abdominoplasty
After abdominoplasty surgery, the most important thing to remember is to avoid sleeping on your stomach for at least the first several weeks. Sleeping on your back is the best post-surgery position, as it provides support and stability until the incision has completely healed. It’s also essential to sleep in a slightly raised position, with pillows supporting your upper body, neck, and legs. This helps reduce swelling and promotes proper healing by circulating blood throughout the body.
Use Supportive Pillows
Post-surgery patients should use supportive pillows to help them stay in the correct position when resting or sleeping. Place one pillow under your knees to keep them bent and elevated while lying down and another behind your lower back to provide support. This will help reduce strain on your abdominal muscles while they are healing.
How long is tummy tuck recovery normally take?
You can do light activities about 2 – 3 weeks after tummy tuck surgery. Exercise, heavy lifting, and other strenuous physical activities may be off-limits for 6 – 8 weeks or longer. Throughout your tummy tuck recovery, your doctor will closely monitor your healing progress and let you know when it is safe and appropriate to resume your normal routines.
Most patients must remember that tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery and typically a fairly extensive procedure and requires patience and commitment during the postoperative period. The first week is usually characterized by bruising, swelling, and discomfort, though these symptoms should significantly improve after 10 – 14 days. Following your surgeon’s most efficient tummy tuck recovery and aftercare guidelines is essential for the quickest and most comfortable recovery possible.
2 to 3 weeks is the period when you should start light activities post-surgery. Still, more strenuous physical activities like exercise and heavy lifting may take up to 6 to 8 weeks or even longer. Being patient during this recovery period and healing process is essential, as it can take some time for your body to heal fully. You can recover with maximum comfort and ease with proper care and understanding of how to sleep after tummy tuck surgery.
Ultimately, following your plastic surgeon’s aftercare instructions and being mindful of your sleeping position is critical to a successful tummy tuck recovery.
Sleeping after tummy tuck surgery?
You need to be sleeping on your back after tummy tuck surgery. It is important to avoid sleeping on your stomach as this can cause stress and strain the sutures from the tummy tuck incision. You should also be slightly raised to start sleeping, with pillows supporting your upper body, neck, and legs. This helps reduce swelling and promotes healing by circulating blood throughout the body.
Am I ok to sleep on my side after the tummy tuck Surgery?
The short answer is no; you cannot always sleep after a tummy, on your side after a tummy tuck. It is better to sleep in a reclined or bent position, with pillows supporting you than to lie flat on your stomach or side. This more bent position helps reduce swelling and ensures no pressure is put onto the incision site during recovery.
What to do if I end up on my stomach while sleeping?
This becomes less likely to happen if you lay flat on your back and your legs elevated. If you find yourself sleeping on your stomach, however, don’t panic. Gently turn onto your back and use supportive pillows to stay in the correct position. Avoid sitting or standing up abruptly if possible, as this can pressure the sutures from the incision.
What else can I do to ensure a successful tummy tuck recovery process?
In addition to following your doctor’s instructions and taking care while you sleep after a tummy tuck, there are several other things that you can do to ensure a successful tummy tuck recovery. These include avoiding strenuous activities like lifting heavy objects or exercising until it is safe and appropriate to do so; wearing compression garments; avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption; eating healthy foods; drinking plenty of fluids; and taking any medications prescribed by your doctor. These steps will help ensure a safe and successful tummy tuck recovery.
In conclusion, following your surgeon’s aftercare instructions and being mindful of your sleeping position is critical to a successful tummy tuck recovery. Proper sleep positioning with pillows to support the upper body can reduce swelling, promote healing, and ensure no pressure is put onto the incision site during recovery. Additionally, avoiding strenuous activities, wearing compression garments, abstaining from smoking or alcohol consumption, eating healthy foods, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking any prescribed medications can all help support a successful post-operative recovery, even for tummy tuck surgery. I wish you all the best in your recovery, and if you are looking for a private consultation with a great surgeon, why not call plus cosmetics today for more info?
