Is it ok to use heating pads on my breast for pain relief after a breast reduction?

Using heating pads after surgery is not usually advised as your skin sensation has been altered from the surgery itself. Sometimes you cannot feel that the temperature has become too high. Many patients who have used heating pads after surgery have sustained significant burns from them.

I usually have my patients apply ice packs on top of their ACE wrap or bra after surgery for 15 minutes on then 15 minutes off. You need to be careful when applying heat or ice as sometimes your skin can be numb and you can easily end up with a burn or frostbite. Heat treatment is a bit better for things like painful joints, but ice is better for post-operative areas as it can help decrease bruising, swelling and inflammation. Check with your plastic surgeon first before doing any of these as he/she may have a strong preference toward one or the other.

Congratulations on having undergone the breast reduction procedure. Your plastic surgeon will always be your best resource when it comes to specific postoperative care instruction/advice. Generally speaking, patients need to be very careful about the direct application of heat (or ice) over surgical sites. These areas may be insensate (numb); cold or heat injuries may result without the patient even being aware… If you do decide to utilize heat, do not apply directly ( place it over a towel) and use it for short periods of time. Best wishes.

In general, following a breast reduction the breasts are swollen and there may be several areas that are numb. Placing heat on these areas may result in blistering as you may not be able to adequately determine if the temperature still hot. In addition I heating pad will cause further swelling because it will help the soft tissues dilate. I would advise simply to let the body tend to heal itself and to put up with some of the swelling which will inevitably go away on its own within the first 7-10 days. Of course, your plastic surgeon will be able to direct to more specifically.