Recovery time after undergoing any cosmetic surgery is to be expected, but recovering from some procedures can be more challenging than others.
After a Brazilian butt lift, even normal things can be tricky, like sitting down, sleeping, or even using the restroom. Today we are going to give you some pointers about how to sleep after a BBL and go about your normal routine comfortably without compromising the results of your surgery.
Why Is It Important to Properly Follow Post-Op Instructions after BBL?
A Brazilian buttocks lift is a two-part procedure that uses liposuction to remove fat from certain areas of your body and then transfers that fat into your buttocks to enhance their shape and size.
Once the fat is removed, it is put through a special process to purify it, and then it is injected into different locations in the buttocks and also often in the hips to add volume and curves.
Fat relies on a source of blood flow to survive. The fat that has been transferred from one location to another requires time to attach to a blood supply in its new location. During this time, it is critical for the survival of the transplanted fat that it be left undisturbed and not crushed.
This means that activities that we do every day without even thinking about them now become risk factors for these newly relocated fat cells. Sitting, sleeping, driving, and using the toilet are all situations that can produce negative results.
If you want to get the most from your BBL surgery, you will need to adequately prepare to take good care of yourself and your fat cells while you recover.
Driving After A Brazilian Butt Lift
Most doctors will advise that you avoid driving for at least 6 weeks after you’ve had a Brazilian butt lift. The actions of not only having to sit down but pushing the pedals on the floor put too much pressure on the buttocks while the fat cells are still in a fragile state.
Sitting After A Brazilian Butt Lift
The objective during recovery after a BBL is to avoid putting any pressure on the areas of fat transfer. You will need to avoid sitting directly on your buttocks for 6 to 8 weeks. This may take a bit of trial and error at first, but you will get the hang of it.
Also, you want to ensure that during your recovery you are moving around as much as you can and not sitting or remaining sedentary for long periods of time. Proper blood circulation is imperative for the survival of the transplanted fat cells.
There are a few strategies you can use to keep the pressure off the buttocks when sitting in a chair, on the couch, etc.
- Use pillows to prop yourself up on your thighs and rest your back against the back of the chair or couch. This keeps direct pressure off of your buttocks;
- You can also try rolling up a few big, thick towels and placing one under your knees and another to support your back so that your buttocks hang off unobstructed in the middle;
- Turn the chair backward and straddle it with the chair back in front of you, allowing your buttocks to hang off the edge of the chair.
There are specialty pillows you can purchase that are made for BBL recovery, and they make getting comfortable after your procedure much easier.
BBL pillow
This is a BBL pillow and has a special design that allows your thighs to rest comfortably while keeping the pressure off the buttocks.
BBL chair
Special inflatable furniture is available that will help keep pressure off your buttocks after a BBL. A chair like this would be helpful for sitting and watching TV, etc.
Sleeping After A Brazilian Butt Lift
How to sleep after a BBL can be even trickier than sitting because many people move around in their sleep without even knowing it. Lying on your back without any support is the biggest no-no, as it will inhibit the circulation of blood to the areas that need it the most and risks crushing and damaging the fat cells.
Getting an adequate amount of sleep after undergoing a Brazilian butt lift is imperative to your recovery. Your doctor will prescribe medication that should keep you comfortable from a pain standpoint, but you will have to try different strategies until you discover a comfortable position to sleep in without compromising the results of your BBL.
You can sleep on your stomach after a BBL, but you should use supportive pillows under your neck and tummy to help keep unnecessary pressure off your neck and spine.
Sleeping on your side in what is known as the “recovery position” may be a good choice if you have not had fat injections in your hips as well as your buttocks. Lay on your side and bend the leg that is on top at the knee, using a pillow underneath for comfort. This puts most of your weight on the front of one of your hips. If you have had fat enhancement in your hip area, speak to your doctor about additional strategies that will help avoid compromising your results.
If you are a die-hard back sleeper, we suggest purchasing a special mattress or a series of pillows that you can use to create a comfortable place to sleep that also keeps your buttocks free from any pressure.
Bolster Pillow
Bolster pillows are available in many different lengths and sizes and are shaped like cylinders. Most have removable covers that you can throw in the washing machine when needed. Positioning several bolster pillows to support your back and using them together with the special BBL pillow can create a sort of raised bed of pillows directly on top of your bed that leaves a space open where your buttocks will be unobstructed.
BBL Mattress
There are a variety of mattresses available that can be used to help you sleep after a BBL. These special mattresses are usually inflatable and have a hole in the middle where your buttocks can rest comfortably.
Using The Bathroom After A Brazilian Butt Lift
You may not have thought about it before, but using the bathroom for about 6 weeks after a BBL may be an issue unless you have a plan.
To avoid having to try to straddle the potty to urinate, a special wipeable cushion can come in handy. Sitting with your thighs resting on the cushion and your back pressed against the open toilet seat, you can prop yourself up and do your business without unnecessary pressure that may adversely affect your BBL results.
BBL toilet cushion
This is a special toilet cushion to use after a BBL procedure. This keeps your weight from pressing down on your buttocks.
Body Contouring Combination Procedures
Sometimes patients choose to combine procedures to obtain the results they desire. For instance, they may undergo a mommy makeover and add a BBL. A mommy makeover generally involves a tummy tuck and breast augmentation.
Finding a comfortable position or knowing how to sleep after BBL and a tummy tuck can be a challenge because, after a tummy tuck, you want to keep pressure off your stomach, and after a BBL, you need to keep pressure off of your buttocks. The same applies when thinking about how to sleep after BBL and breast augmentation.
Sleeping on the stomach is not an option after undergoing a BBL in combination with a tummy tuck or a breast augmentation. Usually, after a breast augmentation, it is recommended that you sleep a bit elevated for a few weeks to help mitigate swelling. Using a special mattress with a hole in the center (a lilo) would be the best option, and use support pillows to elevate the upper half of your body.
Adjusting how you sleep after a tummy tuck and BBL combination will look a bit different because you will not be able to use your abdominal muscles to help you get up or lay down. You will need to sleep slightly bent over for a bit. Most women prefer to sleep in a recliner for several weeks after a tummy tuck, so BBL pillows or bolster pillows will need to be added to the recliner seat to keep pressure off of the buttocks while sleeping.
Taking precautions to ensure you do not damage your surgical areas while you recover will deliver the best results. Navigating the first few weeks will be a little rough, but you will get through it with some preparation in advance.
Once you see your final results, everything you experienced during your recovery will have been worth it! Do not hesitate to reach out to your cosmetic surgeon to ask for recommendations on different recovery products or strategies for sleeping or sitting after a BBL.
If you are contemplating a BBL or a combination procedure such as a mommy makeover or a BBL with a breast augmentation, contact SurgiCare Arts & Aesthetics to set up a consultation with Dr. Angelina Postoev, a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon.
Dr. Angelina is both an artist and a surgeon and is highly skilled at creating the perfect balance of enhancement so the results look natural and meet patients’ expectations. Get in touch with SurgiCare Arts & Aesthetics today.
