Should I apply heat or cold????

Quick question for anyone who may know....

The knot under my incision is very hard and runs the length of the incision as well as downward a few inches on the left side (bikini incision from TAH/BSO on 10/16).

Dr. had me apply heat compresses for a few days due to excessive swelling around incision. At follow-up appointment said that swelling was gone.... hardness under incision would soften as healing progresses. The area is very tender now - I suppose nerve endings are just waking up.

My question..... What (if anything) should I apply to the area now? In your experience, would the warm compresses or ice packs be better?

Thanks as always for your insightful answers..... it's so reassuring to hear from others who have been there / done that.

Dinkum

Ice helped me with that

I used both .. ice on the part with the swelling most part but put the heating pad on low on the incision area to ease the pain .. i think what works best depends on the person .
hugs
moonspirit

Ice for me as well.

heat works for me.....instant relief.........but, sometimes i think its psychological ! ! hmmm...... but, i have it in my mind, that the heat will increase blood flow to the area, and speed recovery. also, i know that when a body gets cooler, viral/bacterial counts are higher, so, in my mind, i rather thought that heating that area would decrease the possibility of infection. all possibly gobbledegook, but made me feel better........in my mind at least...hmmm.....gee.

Try both. Sometimes heat worked for me and sometimes cool made me feel better.

Thanks Ladies!

As always, just the feed back from those who've been there is reassuring.

Hope everyone is taking it easy and enjoying the "down time" of recovery.

Take care....

Dinkum