I had a breast augmentation. What is better to use: ice or heat?

Thank you for your question. I recommend following the post operative instructions given by your Board Certified Surgeon. I typically advise my patient to ice following their procedure. Icing will help reduce swelling, inflammation, and pain.

Some of my patients choose to use ice – an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas, for example – after breast augmentation surgery to provide relief from discomfort. It's always best though to check on your surgeon’s protocol. For more information on this and similar topics, I recommend a plastic surgery Q&A book like "The Scoop On Breasts: A Plastic Surgeon Busts the Myths." Good luck.

First things
first,
Ice or cooler
temperatures applied to the skin restrict blood flow to an area thereby
reducing swelling, inflammation, and pain.
Heat or warmer
temperatures applied to the skin, on the other hand, increases circulation
thereby increasing oxygen and nutrient supply to an area, and enhancing the
removal of waste products. Heat also increases cell metabolism which promotes healing.
If an area was recently damaged/injured, then applying heat increases blood
flow and swelling in the area. But if the site is starting to heal, then heat
will enhancing the healing process.
Secondly, as a
patient, it is important that you closely follow your surgeon’s postoperative
instructions. So please ask them your question as well. Some surgeons may allow
use of ice packs or cool compresses intermittently over the first 48 hours to
help with minimizing the swelling and inflammation.
Nevertheless,
please follow your surgeon’s advice.

Check with your surgeon in terms of their preferred postop protocol for using ice. We will have our patients apply ice intermittently over the first 48 hours to help reduce swelling.

Hello, I generally suggest that my patients try cool compresses intermittenly for the first 24-48 hours to help relieve discomfort and swelling.  Your surgeon might have specific advice about a postop regimen that works well.

Hello,Thank you for your question. Your Plastic Surgeon may allow ice packs for short periods of time immediately post op. I recommend that you ask them as each Plastic Surgeon has their own preferred post op protocols.All the best

In the immediate post op period I recommend ice.  This limits bruising and keeps swelling at bay in the early healing phase.  Hope this helps.

Thank you for your question. 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 ice (or heat) 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 ice,  do not apply directly ( place it over a towel) and use it for short periods of time. Best wishes.

Ice is better for a breast augmentation. Be careful with heat after surgery. Since there is some numbness, you wouldn't wan to burn yourself with heat after your surgery.  :)

I suggest cool compresses for the first 2 days.  That's most of the swelling is likely to occur.  After that, a warm compress will soothe and help soften tight muscles and relax tension by dilating the skin and increasing blood flow.  Do not use heating pads or microwaveable heating pads as you can burn your skin.