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?
Answer: Not a well studied subject.
Helpful 9 people found this helpful
Answer: Not a well studied subject.
Helpful 9 people found this helpful
Answer: Cold vs Warm Compresses After Blepharoplasty This is a great question! You will likely find a wide range of answers to this question and the biggest reason is there is not a significant amount of evidence that would dictate an exact recommendation for ice vs warm packs. In general, ice is best for the first several days to a week after surgery as this will help with inflammation. The reason that warm compresses are not recommended initially is that this will dilate the blood vessels which can bring more fluid into the area. These may become helpful later in the recovery process when the acute inflammatory phase has passed and you want to open the lymphatic channels to allow fluid to leave the operative area. At the end of the day, alot of the recommendations are surgeon preference more than exact science!
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Answer: Cold vs Warm Compresses After Blepharoplasty This is a great question! You will likely find a wide range of answers to this question and the biggest reason is there is not a significant amount of evidence that would dictate an exact recommendation for ice vs warm packs. In general, ice is best for the first several days to a week after surgery as this will help with inflammation. The reason that warm compresses are not recommended initially is that this will dilate the blood vessels which can bring more fluid into the area. These may become helpful later in the recovery process when the acute inflammatory phase has passed and you want to open the lymphatic channels to allow fluid to leave the operative area. At the end of the day, alot of the recommendations are surgeon preference more than exact science!
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October 15, 2017
Answer: Cold amd warm compresses Good question - no evidence based (factual) answers. It is thought that cold compresses constrict (squeeze closed) blood vessels immediately after surgery to reduce swelling. After a few days using warm compresses to do the opposite (open vessels to suck in fluid) may help. It is best o do what your surgeon suggests based on their experience. Certainly no harm comes from this. Is it a benefit - maybe??
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October 15, 2017
Answer: Cold amd warm compresses Good question - no evidence based (factual) answers. It is thought that cold compresses constrict (squeeze closed) blood vessels immediately after surgery to reduce swelling. After a few days using warm compresses to do the opposite (open vessels to suck in fluid) may help. It is best o do what your surgeon suggests based on their experience. Certainly no harm comes from this. Is it a benefit - maybe??
Helpful
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.
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
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.
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
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
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
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
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
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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