BBL Sleeping Protocols 2023: When Can You Sleep on Your Back After BBL?

Surgeons recommend stomach sleeping or laying on a side after Brazillian butt lift surgery (BBL), at least for the first few weeks of the recovery time. Many patients find it quite uncomfortable to sleep on their front. So when can you sleep on your back after BBL? Can you sleep on your side or lie on your back after BBL? What is the right protocol? Here are general recommendations as per medical professionals and physicians.

When can you sleep on your back after BBL?

Cosmetic surgeons recommend not sleeping on your back after BBL for two to six weeks. Sleeping or laying on your back right away can impact the healing process and hinder the final results. You may consider using a faja (compression garment) or a BBL pillow for sleeping support and to keep the pressure off the surgical area.

The most common type of fat removed during BBL surgery is the belly fat. Fat cells are also harvested from thighs, flanks  or back. The fat is then quickly introduced to buttock. It is generally advised not to squish the area where fat is injected as this may impact the final result of the appearance of your buttock.

What is the right way to sleep after BBL?

The best way to sleep during the first weeks after the BBL surgery is to sleep on front, as in, on your tummy. BBL pillow can aid you to sleep as it removes the pressure from the butt. Here are some tips to sleep comfortably after BBL:

• Sleeping by keeping your butt in between two chairs

The goal is not to put pressure on your buttock. For this sleeping position, you need two chairs. Keep the two chairs 30 to 40 cm distance apart and lie down with your buttock on the space.

• Sleeping facedown

The safest way is to sleep facedown, as in, on your stomach because it won’t cause pressure in your buttocks. Sleeping on your stomach is safer than sleeping on side as it reduces the risk of rolling onto your backside, if you’re prone to rolling over while sleeping.

It’s important to note that while sleeping on your back after Brazilian butt lift surgery is generally fine after two to six weeks, there are important things you should be aware of:

You should not extend your legs or bend your knees while sleeping.

Do not do any heavy lifting while sleeping, and make sure that any pillows used are soft enough that they won’t cause discomfort when pressing against your hips (this may include using flatter-sided pillows).

You should not use a heating pad or electric blanket while sleeping because they can increase swelling and cause additional pain when pressed against the newly-formed contours of the buttocks.

Can I sleep on my side after BBL?

You may sleep on your side, but you have to be absolutely sure that you don’t change your position and sleep on your back. However, note that it also depends on where the fat was removed and injected.

Also, when can you can sleep on your side after Brazilian butt lift surgery is dependent on a few factors. The first is how much swelling you experienced and if there are any complications from the procedure.

You also need to make sure that your body has healed well enough for this. You may notice some soreness in the area where the incision was made, and this can take a while to go away once it’s done with healing. You should also get a doctor’s opinion before you attempt sleeping or laying on your back if there are any signs of infection or if the wound doesn’t seem completely healed up yet.

How long after BBL can I sit without a pillow?

Each physician has their own protocol. Orlando Llorente, MD, recommends not to sit or put any pressure on the buttock, at least for the first 30 days after BBL. On the other hand, some surgeons also recommend avoiding sitting on the back without a pillow for the first 72 to 96 hours. That said, if you are planning to sit without a pillow, the safest option is to wait for 19 – 20 days and shift your weight every half an hour.

Wrapping Up

So when can you sleep on your back after BBL? There really is no single correct answer to this question. To date, there are no studies that have made any conclusive findings on the matter of sleeping position once you’ve had Brazilian butt lift surgery. But that by no means means that there aren’t solid recommendations on the subject. Generally, they recommend waiting at least two to six weeks to sleep on the back.

Since every patient is different and every procedure presents a unique case, it’s up to you and your plastic surgeon to decide which postoperative sleeping positions are right for you. And whether or not lying on your back is an option at all depends on the healing process, the amount of swelling and the fat removed, how and where the fat was injected, and the extent of swelling they cause postoperatively.

Sleeping After BBL: Frequently Asked Questions

• When can I sleep without my faja after BBL?

The answer to this question is a little more complicated than you might think. It all depends on how your body reacts to the surgery and also on the type of surgery you had.

In general, you should be able to sleep without your faja for about 6 weeks after Brazilian butt lift surgery. However, there are some cases where you may need to wear it for longer than that—for example, if you had a grafted buttock procedure with the fat transfer into the buttocks (which is more likely if you have a lot of fat to work with).

In any case, it’s always a good idea to speak with your surgeon about what will happen when you can finally sleep without your faja!

• How long do I have to wear the faja after BBL?

The faja is a garment that is worn after you’ve had your Brazilian Butt Lift procedure. It helps to hold the results in place and provides additional support for the area. You should wear the compression garment for at least 3 weeks but up to 6 months.

During the first 3 weeks, you should wear faja 24/7, and then you can wear it for 12 hours for the rest 3 months. You can leave it on while you sleep, but you should remove it before showering or swimming. You should never wash it in the washing machine or dry it on high heat—do not iron or iron over your faja!