Ice for incision 24 hours after full Tummy Tuck?

Question

I read that putting ice on the incision for 24 hours helps it heal better with less scarring. If so, how often should I do this? Every two hours, four hours, etc?

Jason Hess, MD · Answer

I am not a fan of heat or ice following surgery.  There have been reports of frostbite and/or burns with this the use of ice or heat following surgery.  I prefer to use a pain pump and marcaine which help to anesthetize the abdominal region.  Additionally, many patient feel numbness and swelling, particularly below the navel following surgery.  Thus, it is possible to injure these regions with too much heat or cold without even realizing the injury.
To reduce swelling and bruising, surgeons often recommend compression and arnica, a naturopathic swelling remedy.
I hope this help

Ali Mosharrafa, MD · Answer

Using extremes of temperature (ice or heat) is an absolute no after surgery.  The abdominal skin has lost its protective sensation and is very susceptible to damage.  The only proven scar improvement treatment with clinical evidence is the Embrace dressing.  This is started 1-2 weeks after surgery.  Hope this helps.Dr. Ali Mosharrafa

Kimberly Lu, MD · Answer

I agree with the majority of my colleagues in that I generally ask my patients not to use either ice or heating packs on operative sites unless it is a small incision with minimal undermining (such as with moles or small lesion excisions).  Decreased sensation in the operative areas may cause frostbite or burns to occur with cold or heat therapy.  Also, with major skin undermining, such as with tummy tucks or breast reconstruction or with nipple areolas/breast reduction, I like to maximize blood flow to the area to aid in healing, and ice may impair this.  Ask your plastic surgeon what he/she recommends.

Karthik Ram, MRCS, DNB · Answer

The whole area of Tummy tuck will usually be numb in the initial few days. So I usually ask my patient to wear the compression garment and avoid contact with both hot & add objects to avoid getting burnt. Any ask your PS before you do anything.

Chad Robbins, MD · Answer

I tell my patients to avoid ice and heat post operatively due to the numbness at the incision site and surrounding area.  This leads to burns that a patient may not feel, which will subsequently cause scarring .

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Best to run these types of questions by your plastic surgeon who knows your situation best and is ultimately responsible for your care. Regardless, patients should be very careful about applying cold or heat to recently operated upon areas; these areas will likely be numb and can potentially be damaged by excessive cold/heat that the patient does not sense . Therefore, in my practice, I ask patients not to apply either cold packs or heating pads directly upon surgical sites. Again, your plastic surgeon will be your best resource. Best wishes; hopefully, you will be very pleased with the long-term outcome of the procedure performed.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

You should ask this question of your surgeon.  The problem with ice, or heat for that matter, is that your abdominal skin is numb after TT, and it is not difficult to get frostbite (or burns with heat), either of which can cause tissue loss, and a poor outcome.All the best.

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

It is not necessary to apply ice after Tummy Tuck Surgery.  It is much more important to wear your compression garment.  The area is numb which makes it possible to get frostbite.  Best wishes!

Ice for incision 24 hours after full Tummy Tuck?

Answers (8)

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