Had breast aug yesterday and having a lot more pain than I anticipated. The surgery center sent me home with ice packs, but none of my post op instructions mention it, and I don’t recall my surgeon or nurse saying anything. I’ll call in the morning and ask, but in the meantime would it be okay for me to use the ice packs to try to relieve the pain and swelling?
March 29, 2018
Answer: No Heat or Cold Packs Following Breast Surgery Following a breast augmentation, the patient's skin will be stretched and swollen as it accommodates the new implant. This results in extra sensitive skin that I commonly compare to "newborn" skin. Applying cold or heat to the area can result in a skin burn that can lead to a number of other issues as you are healing from your surgery. The bottom line, avoid applying heat or cold to the area following surgery. Pain can be managed with your surgical team through the use of pain killers. We send our patients home with a "pain pump" that gently pumps pain medication to the area for the first 24 hours following surgery and provides relief for the patient when they leave the clinic. You were right to question the ice packs and to only follow the instructions provided post operatively by your surgeon.
Helpful
March 29, 2018
Answer: No Heat or Cold Packs Following Breast Surgery Following a breast augmentation, the patient's skin will be stretched and swollen as it accommodates the new implant. This results in extra sensitive skin that I commonly compare to "newborn" skin. Applying cold or heat to the area can result in a skin burn that can lead to a number of other issues as you are healing from your surgery. The bottom line, avoid applying heat or cold to the area following surgery. Pain can be managed with your surgical team through the use of pain killers. We send our patients home with a "pain pump" that gently pumps pain medication to the area for the first 24 hours following surgery and provides relief for the patient when they leave the clinic. You were right to question the ice packs and to only follow the instructions provided post operatively by your surgeon.
Helpful
March 29, 2018
Answer: Ice Packs Thanks for your inquiry, hopefully you have gotten a hold of your surgeon's office this morning. Ice is helpful with swelling during the first day or two, but I do not like patients applying continuously the whole time. Please ask for a protocol from your surgeon's staff and I hope you have a speedy recovery.
Helpful
March 29, 2018
Answer: Ice Packs Thanks for your inquiry, hopefully you have gotten a hold of your surgeon's office this morning. Ice is helpful with swelling during the first day or two, but I do not like patients applying continuously the whole time. Please ask for a protocol from your surgeon's staff and I hope you have a speedy recovery.
Helpful
