I have been advised by my surgeon that after a blepharoplasty to apply cold compresses. I understand this purpose for the first few days but am confused on why he is now recommending using warm compresses. My purpose is to get rid of the swelling and I've been told by a pharmacist cold does this better. I am not concerned about bruising, but can a surgeon please explain the advantage of switching to warm compresses for getting rid of swelling? If I prefer can I still use cold compresses?
March 4, 2022
Answer: Cold first, then warm In my practice, I have found it useful to use cold compresses in the first 48-72 hours to lessen swelling and the formation of bruises. Swelling tends to increase during the first few days, reaches a peak, and then diminishes over many weeks. At the same time, bleeding under the skin during the first few days leads to bruising, which leads to more swelling. The idea behind the cold compresses is to reduce the rate of initial swelling and bleeding under the skin, thus reaching a lower peak from which to recover.
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March 4, 2022
Answer: Cold first, then warm In my practice, I have found it useful to use cold compresses in the first 48-72 hours to lessen swelling and the formation of bruises. Swelling tends to increase during the first few days, reaches a peak, and then diminishes over many weeks. At the same time, bleeding under the skin during the first few days leads to bruising, which leads to more swelling. The idea behind the cold compresses is to reduce the rate of initial swelling and bleeding under the skin, thus reaching a lower peak from which to recover.
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December 27, 2021
Answer: Post op treatments There are many tricks to post operative care after delicate surgeries. In the first 48 hrs I ask the patients to use cold compresses. This decreases the swelling. After the 48hr mark I have them alternate cold and warm compress every 20 minutes while awake. The role of the warm compress is to increase the blood supply to the area to allow the blood and vessels to dilate which will help absorb the swelling and bruises. Decreasing salt content ( sodium content less than 1,000mg / day) can really help with swelling.Hope this helps.Best of luck,DrC
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December 27, 2021
Answer: Post op treatments There are many tricks to post operative care after delicate surgeries. In the first 48 hrs I ask the patients to use cold compresses. This decreases the swelling. After the 48hr mark I have them alternate cold and warm compress every 20 minutes while awake. The role of the warm compress is to increase the blood supply to the area to allow the blood and vessels to dilate which will help absorb the swelling and bruises. Decreasing salt content ( sodium content less than 1,000mg / day) can really help with swelling.Hope this helps.Best of luck,DrC
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June 24, 2016
Answer: Cold Compresses After Blepharoplasty Thank you for your question. I will always advise my patients to use cotton pads soaked in Witchazel (buy from chemist), which has been left in the fridge. Use this as cold compresses as often as you can, this will sooth and reduce swelling. Do use an eye ointment such as: chloramphenicol, this needs to be applied just before you go to bed, this is a mild antibiotic as well as providing your eyes with lubrication at night. The ointment can cause some blurriness which is only temporary and resolves by the morning.All The Best
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June 24, 2016
Answer: Cold Compresses After Blepharoplasty Thank you for your question. I will always advise my patients to use cotton pads soaked in Witchazel (buy from chemist), which has been left in the fridge. Use this as cold compresses as often as you can, this will sooth and reduce swelling. Do use an eye ointment such as: chloramphenicol, this needs to be applied just before you go to bed, this is a mild antibiotic as well as providing your eyes with lubrication at night. The ointment can cause some blurriness which is only temporary and resolves by the morning.All The Best
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