How to Sleep After Facial Plastic Surgery

Getting enough sleep every night is important for your well-being. It’s even truer when you’re recovering from a surgery. After undergoing facial plastic surgery in Atlanta, you may struggle to find a good sleeping position. Here are some tips that can make sleeping easier:

Sleep with Your Head Elevated

For 1 – 2 weeks post-op, you’ll want to elevate your head by placing a few pillows under your mattress and others on top, so that when you lay down your head is above your heart.

Sleeping on your back with your head elevated will help reduce swelling by minimizing the amount of fluid that accumulates near your incisions. If your swelling can be kept under control then you’ll be more comfortable, have a speedier recovery, and be able to enjoy the results of your surgery sooner.

Lay on Your Back

It’s also important that you don’t roll over on your side or lay on your face. You’ll need to sleep on your back for 1 – 2 weeks.

Underneath your skin are stitches that can tear if you lay on your side or your face. Sleeping on your back helps protect your incision by preventing unnecessary tension on your skin and potentially causing complications throughout the healing period.

Since you must sleep with your head elevated and can’t roll over, it may be more comfortable for you to sleep in a recliner.

Plan Ahead

So that you don’t miss out on sleep after your surgery, you should consider starting to adjust your sleeping habits a couple of weeks prior to the procedure. That’ll give you some time to determine which position is most comfortable for you. If you have any questions regarding your facial surgery recovery, feel free to ask Dr. Stong, our Atlanta facial plastic surgeon. Call today for a consultation.