A Keck Medicine of USC surgeon shares her top tips for sleeping comfortably after breast cancer surgery.

Treatment for breast cancer in the United States often includes a lumpectomy. The National Cancer Database shows nearly two-thirds of patients choose this surgery, usually before undergoing radiation therapy.

During a lumpectomy, the surgeon removes the tumor and the surrounding tissue. One of the benefits of a lumpectomy is it can allow the patient to keep most of the breast without affecting long-term survival, says the American Cancer Society.

Like any surgery, it’s common to experience some discomfort for a few days or weeks during the recovery period. For many patients, getting comfortable enough to sleep can be especially challenging. Amanda M. Woodworth, MD, a breast cancer surgeon and director of breast health with Keck Medicine of USC and Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, shares her top advice for sleeping after a lumpectomy.

What is the best sleeping position after lumpectomy?

Patients cannot sleep on their stomach after a lumpectomy. Side sleeping can also be painful, especially if the patient rolls over onto the side that was operated on.

The best way to sleep after a lumpectomy is on your back, Dr. Woodworth says, with pillows under your legs, head and arms. “It takes pressure off the joints and feels like you’re sleeping in a cloud,” she explains. “And if a patient turns over on their side, they’ll roll onto a soft pillow instead of a firm mattress.”

Dr. Woodworth says this setup works even if the patient is sent home with a temporary tube attached to their sides to drain excess fluid. “I don’t normally put drains in for a simple lumpectomy, but if the patient is also getting a reduction and lift, the plastic surgeons may leave a drain in for one to two weeks. I recommend the same exact sleeping position because, again, it stops you from turning over onto that drain.”

How long do patients sleep in a bra after lumpectomy?

As Dr. Woodworth explains, the body fills empty space with fluid. That’s why after removing a tumor and surrounding tissue during a lumpectomy, “wearing something compressive actually helps to reduce empty space for fluid to fill.”

Dr. Woodworth says she has her patients wear a compressive wrap for two days post-surgery. This helps prevent the breasts from moving around too much, because the movement can be painful for some patients.

After the wrap comes off, patients can shower like normal. They should then wear a sports bra, day and night, for about two weeks.

“You won’t hurt anything by sleeping in a sports bra. I do tell people not to wear bras with underwires, because those can fail and actually poke you,” Dr. Woodworth says.

What medication is given after breast cancer surgery?

Certain medications are also used to help reduce soreness or pain during recovery, which allows patients to sleep a little more easily.

Dr. Woodworth says her preferred method is to give patients a prescription-strength anti-inflammatory medication before and after the surgery for pain control. Another strategy she uses in the operating room is to numb parts of the patient’s back.

“We’ve learned that a lot of the postoperative pain is actually coming from either nerve pain, which is what numbing helps, or inflammation after surgery,” Dr. Woodworth says. “Most of my patients don’t end up needing to take any narcotics for pain.”

For minor pain after surgery, Dr. Woodworth says over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol or Motrin can provide relief. However, she emphasizes that patients should never take prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications at the same time.

Do lifestyle choices affect healing?

Lifestyle factors can also boost healing after a lumpectomy. “I always recommend a high-protein diet,” Dr. Woodworth says. “Protein is super important for wound healing. For women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, this isn’t the time to switch to a plant-based, low-protein diet.”

Stopping a smoking habit is advised. Cigarettes constrict blood vessels, which makes it harder for the body to heal.

Patients should also avoid lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk for about two weeks after surgery, Dr. Woodworth cautions. “A lot of times when we’re doing a lumpectomy, we’re also removing lymph nodes under the arm. If that’s the case, we don’t want a lot of lifting or repetitive arm motions.”

However, she does encourage patients to get moving after a lumpectomy. “It’s really important to get the blood moving. I want my patients walking, while wearing a sports bra. But before you do more aggressive activity, it’s important to get cleared by your doctor first.”

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How to Sleep After a Lumpectomy