Use of a heating pad

I've seen several notes about having a heating pad on hand after getting home. I was wondering how this would be helpful. If there is swelling, I would think a cold pack would be better.

Could anyone explain this? I don't own one and am thinking of getting one.

Thanks for this and for all the answers to my other questions so far!

Pellice
SAH/BSO

Hi,
I think that the heat would help with the soreness of muscles perhaps. I didn't have a need for one, although I have used one for cramps in the past! Maybe the heat would be relaxing as well...

Sara

While ice is helpful for swelling, the swelling you will be having is from deep down, so it's marginal that ice would help, but everyone is different. I found Ibuprofen helped more with my swelling.
On the other hand heat helps to promote circulation to the affected area thus promotes healing!
Using a heating pad helped me a lot! But I opted to use those new Thermo Care patches (3 pack at WalMart was about $6.00), the heat is gentle (lower risk of burns) and the adhesive attaches to the inside of your underware and is very comfortable!
They say that it provides 8 hours of heat but in my experience they gave me closer to 15 hours....
They take about 30 minutes to come up to full temperature.
Hope this helped you some!
s and s

Janet

I used the heating pad on my back. I had it in bed and would warm it up and lie down on it when I got in at night. I don't know why my back was sore but it was. The heating pad felt sooooo good. I had forgotten about that.

My heating pad helped me so much...it helped with the aches,pains,& also helped me relax.The hospital & my doctor recommended it..also said it helps promote healing due to the circulation.It felt so good, I didn't break away from it until about 3 weeks post-op.My husband bought me one that goes in the microwave for about 4 min. it was big enough to cover to the top of my ribs to my hips or you could fold it in half as well.I believe he bought it at Walmart.I couldn't imagine my recovery with out one ! Take care

Like SeeShelley it was my lower back that hurt alot. The heating pad helped tremendously.

Darla
TAH/BSO

a good heating pad has thus far been a real life saver. after walking around for a while, your tummy will ache, and being able to lie down with it lying on top is the best feeling. lying on top of it is good as well as your back will take up the load your tummy muscles usually carry.

helps relax you enough to take that much needed nap too.

I got the conair heating pad. the auto shutoff was the clincher for me, I've been in for a few days now, and if you fal asleep with it turned on, you may overheat

good luck!

The heating pad helped my achy belly & back, and it also kept me from getting chilled post-op. I chill easily, and my energy was way low from surgery & anesthesia.

Melissa

Hi ladies,,,
while i was in the hospital I woke up with a warm blanket all folded on my tummy. I noticed that this felt good right away. I kept asking every couple of hours for another one and it really did help! It helped me relax more and helped with the crampy feeling. When the nurses switched....i was kinda out of it and i asked for a heating pad. The nurse looked at me like I was crazy...then i said ..oh I mean a warm blanket. It truely helped me!

My heating pad became my best friend. I didn't have a lot of discomfort, but the heat felt sooo gooood on my abdomen that it was never far away!

But do be careful, don't turn it on too high, take breaks from it, and if possible get one with an auto shutoff - you don't want any burns, with an abd hyst your tummy is usually kind of numb and you may not feel how hot it is on your skin!