However, if your doctor permits it, you can sleep sideways with a support system fixed between your ankles or knees. You can consult your doctor about the way it is safe to sleep at night. The doctors do not recommend sleeping on the stomach after the surgery.
Lying flat stretches out the abdomen, putting strain on the incision line, which can lead to pain and potential damage to the sutures. When you rest, it's recommended that you sleep in a slightly bent position that avoids pulling on the stitches.
Sleeping On Your Back
One of the best sleeping positions after any kind of surgery requires lying straight on your back.
Sleeping in a semi-upright position is recommended, using a few pillows to elevate the head and shoulders to avoid putting pressure on the abdominal area. Avoid sleeping on your stomach or the side where the incisions were made.
After 48 hours you may sleep flat on your back, you may not sleep on your stomach or sides for four weeks. Fluids: Fluids are critical following surgery. Drinking fluids is very important to help rid the body of the drugs used in surgery. Clear juices and water are best.
Side-sleeping is discouraged during the first week after surgery. That can lead to swelling on the side you sleep on compared to the other side. After one week, you are free to sleep on your side or your back. We recommend waiting until about four weeks to try sleeping on your stomach.
If there are muscles in need of healing, the brain triggers a rush of hormones that promote tissue growth that repairs the blood vessels when you sleep. This process helps ease muscle soreness, rebuild damaged muscles, and encourage wounds to heal properly.
It's important not to scratch your stitches; even though they're strong, scratching may damage them. You should avoid contact sports, such as football or hockey, to give your wound the best possible chance to heal. You should not go swimming until your wound has healed and your stitches have been removed.
"It takes about four to six weeks for tissue to rebuild to its maximum strength, during which time it's best to avoid tension, stretching or shearing forces at the suture site," explains Dr. Yaakovian.
A handful of studies have found that when wounds are kept moist and covered, blood vessels regenerate faster and the number of cells that cause inflammation drop more rapidly than they do in wounds allowed to air out. It is best to keep a wound moist and covered for at least five days.
It is essential that people do not remove their stitches until the wound has had sufficient time to heal. General guidelines on how long to wait before removing stitches are: 10–14 days for stitches on the body. 7 days for stitches on the head or neck.
After 48 hours, surgical wounds can get wet without increasing the risk of infection. After this time, you can get your stitches wet briefly with a light spray (such as in the shower), but they should not be soaked (for example, in the bath).
Gently wash it with soap and water to remove the crust. Do not scrub or soak the wound. Do not use rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or iodine, which can harm the tissue and slow wound healing. Air-dry the incision or pat it dry with a clean, fresh towel before reapplying the dressing.
Side Stitch Treatments
Taking deep breaths. Pressing on or massaging the painful area. Stretching the diaphragm by bending forward. Flexing your stomach muscles.
You may need to cover your stitches with a bandage for 24 to 48 hours, or as directed. Do not bump or hit the suture area. This could open the wound. Do not trim or shorten the ends of your stitches.
Avoid vigorous physical activity while the stitches are in place – this includes heavy lifting, running, and other sporting activities. Avoid activities that pull or stretch on the area with stitches. Do not put the stitches completely under water – this means no swimming and no bathing in a bath.
Protein – Protein is essential to wound healing, so try to get plenty of foods like chicken and eggs. Vitamin C – Some research shows that Vitamin C and zinc can help with healing, so eat the recommended amount of fruit each day.
Water is a vital element, not only for life, but also for optimum wound healing. It has been demonstrated that poorly hydrated individuals are more likely to develop pressure ulcers because dehydration reduces the padding over bony points. Reduced hydration also denies wound tissues the necessary nutrients for healing.
Most types should start to dissolve or fall out within a week or two, although it may be a few weeks before they disappear completely. Some may last for several months. Ask your doctor about the type of stitches you have been given and how long they should take to dissolve.
This process is important to bring necessary cells to the affected site for growth and remodelling or healing to occur. Nerve pain also tends to be worse at night time as our bodies have a lower blood pressure during sleep. With a reduced blood supply to nerves, they can be more sensitive than normal.
If your skin procedure was on 1 of your arms or legs, sleep with that body part raised above the level of your heart. You can do this by resting your arm or leg on pillows. Ask your nurse if you need to avoid lying on your wound or putting any pressure on it for the first 48 hours.
The reason why you can't sleep on your side after a tummy tuck is that it creates too much tension in the surgical area and can be painful. Sleeping on your side after 3 or 5 weeks after the tummy tuck is even better. In addition to sleeping in the right position, it is also important to ensure a comfortable recovery.
What Causes Insomnia After Surgery? Insomnia following surgery can be caused by pain, inflammation, and medication side effects. The noise and bright lights of an in-patient hospital setting can also make sleep challenging for those who require overnight hospital stays. People who experience insomnia.