calling all nurses - ice pack after surgery?

[jmegirl 2]

it figures, this is the one question i forgot ask. they gave me an ice pack for my incision sites today (i had surgery about 11hrs ago). i've had it on my belly for probably 8hrs of the last 11hrs. i just woke up from a little nap and my incision sites are really cold (obviously from the ice) but it seems as though they're a little more sore than the were the rest of the afternoon. for the record, i feel fantastic - better than i ever expected to feel.

i'm wondering if i should have the ice on my belly as much as i have today? if not, how often should i put the ice on there, and for how long at a time? also, how long should i contine to use the ice pack?

thanks in advance

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Just use it for one day and you only want to ice an area about 20 minutes an hour...don't leave it on while you're sleeping!

[jmegirl 2]

Just use it for one day and you only want to ice an area about 20 minutes an hour...don't leave it on while you're sleeping!

Thank you!

I kinda figured it didn't need to be on there so long, but I'm determined to stay feeling good. I don't wanna do anything that'll send me spiraling down as far as pain goes. Right now I'm comfortable, and I'm such a baby when it comes to pain that I really need to stay this way, LOL.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

You can hurt your skin if you keep it on...frost bite etc (believe it or not!) so just stick to 20 min an hour and it should do the trick!

[twinmommy2014 7]

I am using a heating pad for gas pains. I had my surgery today too. LOTS of GAS

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I am using a heating pad for gas pains. I had my surgery today too. LOTS of GAS

Make sure you clear the heating pad w/your doc. Believe it or not some use internal stitches that dissolve over time w/your body's heat. If your surgeon uses those and you use a heating pad and it's near your stitches it can actually dissolve them prematurely...speed it along!

[jmegirl 2]

ok...ice pack on the stomach for incision site swelling...but heating pad for chest/back/shoulder area for gas pains. we're in a hotel so i don't have access to a heating pad, but i will tomorrow night when i get home.

but here's the thing: i feel like i'm trapping the gas in my chest by using the ice pack on my stomach. is this right?