The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is a plastic surgery procedure to enhance the size and shape of the buttocks and hips. Liposuction is performed at the same time to provide donor fat cells for the BBL. Fat is usually harvested from the waist, stomach and back. This technique is called liposuction 360 because it sculpts the mid-section while improving the waist-to-hip ratio.
If you’re planning to undergo BBL surgery in the near future, you may be wondering how it may affect your sleep. Especially if you’re a light sleeper, you may want to know what to expect and how to sleep after BBL without disrupting your good night’s rest.
Read on to learn more about BBL surgery, how to lay after BBL, best sleeping positions and when you’ll be able to sleep normally again.
When Can I Sleep on My Back After BBL?
During your initial consultation, Dr. Cat will discuss with you how to sleep the right way after BBL. Some common questions she will answer include: when can I sleep on my side after BBL surgery and can I sleep on my back 4 weeks after BBL?
You will be able to sleep on your back and your side after six weeks. Until then, you will need to sleep on your stomach to avoid putting pressure on the fat grafted areas. We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to adhere to these post-op aftercare and sleeping instructions.
Dr. Cat has developed an advanced micro-fat grafting technique that ensures more of your fat cells survive the transplantation process. The next few weeks are crucial and you will have to do your part. Ultimately, the success of your fat grafts, and your aesthetic results, will depend on your knowing how to sleep after BBL.
How to Lay After BBL: Best Sleeping Position
For the first month there is only one way to sleep after BBL and that’s on your stomach. You must take every precaution not to roll over onto your back and buttocks in the middle of the night. Doing so can compromise the newly transplanted fat cells before they’ve had a chance to graft properly and become permanent.
It’s normal to experience a period of adjustment for the first few nights while you’re getting used to sleeping on your front. Additionally, you may have tenderness or bruising in areas where liposuction was performed. For this reason it may take a little effort to find a sleeping position that works well for you. Keep in mind that your surgeon may prescribe pain medication that will ease some of the soreness from the surgery and help you sleep more comfortably.
We recommend sleeping on your stomach with your arms by your side. This is especially relevant if you had liposuction on your arms. Sleeping with your arms stretched up over your head can impair the healing process by tearing the delicate incision closures. Sleeping with your arms tucked down has another benefit as well. It can prevent you from rolling over on your side while you’re asleep.
How to Sleep After BBL: Knowing Why and How It’s Performed
Why can I sleep on my back 4 weeks after BBL and not any sooner? It helps to understand the Brazilian butt lift process.
You may be interested in BBL because you’d like to make your butt more curvy or to regain some fullness after losing weight. Perhaps you’d like to balance your body proportions. Or maybe you have stubborn fat in one area (that doesn’t respond to diet or exercise) and less fat where you do want it.
The Brazilian butt lift can address many of these concerns by creating a more feminine and curvy figure. The procedure involves removing fat cells from one area of the body (using liposuction) and relocating them to the buttocks and hips (if necessary).
During your consultation, the surgeon will explain to you which fat donor sites are the most suitable for your desired goals and aesthetic results. Dr. Cat always strives to create the smoothest curves and transition possible between the waist, stomach, hips and buttocks.
Most of the fat for the procedure is obtained through 360 liposuction. If more fat is needed; however, it can be taken from other areas such as the inner thighs and arms.
Once the fat cells have been carefully collected with a cannula, they are prepared using Dr. Cat’s unique fat grafting process. Her meticulous technique and attention to detail is why Dr. Cat has an excellent safety record and outcome when performing the Brazilian butt lift.
The highly viable fat is then injected into the buttock area using multiple points of entry. This ensures that fat is distributed evenly while giving the butt more rounded contours that look very natural. This is why post-op care is so important: to increase the chances of more fat cells surviving, lying on your stomach is how to sleep after BBL for the first six weeks.
Post-Op Recovery and Tips for Sleeping
Dr. Cat performs the BBL surgery under general anesthesia. To minimize the sensation of pain during surgery, and for several hours after you awaken, she also administers a local anesthetic at the incision sites.
The surgery can take anywhere from several up to seven hours. The duration mostly depends on the complexity of the procedure and how many areas need liposuction.
After you have awakened from the anesthesia, you’ll be kept in the recovery room for several hours under observation. Once you are cleared, you’ll be able to go home. Make sure you have somebody to pick you up and drive you home. Taking a taxi or rideshare is not safe (or allowed) as you’ll still be sleepy from the surgery.
When you arrive home, make sure that your bed and your room are prepared in advance. Knowing that the first few nights may be challenging to fall asleep, you may want to create a comforting space for yourself. Some things that may help include a comfortable mattress, soft lighting, aromatherapy and relaxing music.
BBL Pillow For Sleeping
Using strategically placed pillows during your recovery process can be very helpful. In fact, you’ll be provided with a special BBL pillow for sleeping. Other pillows can be used as needed for comfort, to prevent you from rolling over, or to create a barrier between you and your partner.
After you transition to sleeping on your side, a pillow can be used for support in between or under your legs. A donut-shaped pillow can make it easier to sleep on your back without putting pressure on your buttocks.
What to eat and drink? Relaxing chamomile tea at night can help you sleep. Avoid alcohol and eating large or heavy meals late in the evening as doing so can make it more difficult to sleep on your stomach.
A healthy diet during your recovery can help to improve the quality of your sleep overall. Not only that, but consuming lots of fruits and veggies while cutting out junk food will help to maintain the results of your surgery much longer.
For more information about or general questions give us a call at 310-858-8808.
You can also reach us by email at [email protected] or by booking a pre-consultation phone call.
