Which is better for swelling: ice pack or heating pad?

Question

I had a tummy tuck with lipo to the flanks and upper back 4 days ago. Sometimes my compression garment won't completely cover the entire upper back which causes swelling pockets near the bra. These get very painful and even burn sometimes. Is it better to use ice packs or a heating pad to help this swelling go down?

Thomas A. Pane, MD · Answer

In that area it is unlikely you will hurt anything using either one.  I would choose whatever makes the area feel better, but in general swelling will be more responsive to a cool pack, but don't apply it directly to the skin.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and I am sorry to hear of your swelling issues. I would first recommend reaching out to your surgeon's office to discuss a different, or additional compression garment that better fits your operative sites to avoid this isolated swelling.  Though one would want to be careful about placing hot or cold packs over recently operated surgical areas because of numbness that may exist, talk to your surgeon about adjunct swelling measures when adjusting your compression garment.

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 for an outcome that you will be very pleased with long-term outcome.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Ice packs in the first few hours after liposuction may help with swelling. After this the only rationale would be for comfort. Heat packs would actually aggravate swelling.

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear, thanks for your post. Some of my patients have had success in reducing 
the swelling by having lymphatic drainage massage treatments and using the compression garment.  Be 
patient-it takes a good 3 months for swelling to go down. But I recommend to follow you PS instructions. Good luck :)

Which is better for swelling: ice pack or heating pad?

Answers (9)

Answer: Heat or cold for postoperative swelling after liposuction.

Answer: Heat or cold for postoperative swelling after liposuction.

Answer: Swelling

Answer: Swelling

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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Which is better for swelling: ice pack or heating pad?

Answers (9)

Answer: Heat or cold for postoperative swelling after liposuction.

Answer: Heat or cold for postoperative swelling after liposuction.

Answer: Swelling

Answer: Swelling

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.