How to Sleep After Breast Reduction: Tips for Comfort
If you’re dealing with back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, or any of the other side effects of having large breasts, then you may be a candidate for breast reduction surgery, a straightforward procedure that can help you to live a more comfortable and active life.
Most women find that they’re fully recovered from breast reduction surgery within around 4- 6 weeks. However, while sleep — and rest in general — is essential for making a speedy recovery, many patients find that it can be difficult to sleep after breast reduction due to discomfort. In this post, we’ll run through everything you need to know about improving the quality of your sleep after breast reduction surgery, including choosing the right sleep position, managing discomfort, and how to create a sleep-friendly environment.
Understanding Sleep after Breast Reduction
Your body will need to rest after your breast reduction surgery — and there’s no better way to get rest than by sleeping. Not only will getting a full night’s sleep allow you to recover more quickly, but it may also help improve the results of the surgery. In addition, getting plenty of sleep can make it easier to handle the emotional and psychological impacts of undergoing surgery.
However, the nature of breast reduction surgery means that it can often be difficult to sleep through the night. In many cases, patients have to contend with discomfort, and may also have to sleep in a position that they’re not used to.
Treating sleep as a priority is essential after breast reduction surgery, and there are plenty of things you can do to increase the chances of getting a good night’s rest.
Choosing the Right Sleep Position
It’s recommended to sleep on your back following breast surgery. This will ensure that your breasts can recover naturally. Sleeping on your front may put unnecessary pressure on your breasts, prolonging the recovery period and potentially impacting the results of the surgery.
This will be no problem if you usually sleep on your back anyway. However, if you’re a side or stomach sleeper, then you may find it difficult to fall asleep while you adjust. We’ll run through some tips below that’ll make it easier to fall asleep. Keep in mind that you won’t need to sleep on your back forever — most people are able to resume sleeping in their usual position around 4 – 6 weeks after surgery.
Managing Pain and Discomfort
First of all, it’s important to remember that while it’s frustrating to deal with pain and discomfort when trying to sleep, it won’t be that way forever. Most patients are fully recovered within 4 – 6 weeks, at which point you can return to sleeping in whatever position you like best.
You can make it easier to fall asleep by taking a proactive approach to pain and discomfort. Investing in comfortable pillows, such as wedge pillows that will comfortably incline your body, can do wonders for your comfort levels. You can also take medication (prescribed by your doctor) to manage your pain, and also engage in natural pain relief activities — deep breathing, stretching, and taking warm showers can all help to relax the body, making it easier to fall asleep.
It’s also worthwhile investing in good sleepwear made of quality fabrics. Cotton, which is breathable and soft on the skin, is particularly recommended.
Creating a Sleep-Inducing Environment
One effective way to remedy your discomfort is to put together a comfortable, sleep-friendly environment that makes it easier to fall asleep.
You’ll be more comfortable in bed if the room is at a temperature you enjoy; for most people, this will be a slightly cooler room that allows you to snuggle into your duvet. It’s also advisable to manage anything that might impact your ability to sleep through the night — for instance, ensuring that no outside light or noise can enter your bedroom and wake you up. Investing in blackout curtains and ear plugs, or even a white noise machine, can help significantly.
Finally, make sure your bed is comfortable. If you’re not ordinarily comfortable while in bed, you’ll be even less so when you’re dealing with the mild discomfort of breast reduction surgery. If it has been a while since you upgraded your mattress or bedding, then now could be the ideal opportunity.
When to Consult Your Doctor
Most people find that they’re able to sleep through the night after they’ve gone through the adjustment period. However, if you find that you’re really struggling to sleep due to severe pain or discomfort, then it’s best to consult with your doctor. They’ll be able to identify the cause of your issue and offer solutions.
Schedule An Appointment Today
If you’re interested in breast reduction surgery, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team here at Northland Plastic Surgery. You can get in touch with us by calling (218) 724-7363. Alternatively, you can fill out the contact form on this page, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.