Heat or cold for pain?

I still have a dull burning pain at the end of the day especially if I overdid it. My incission looks great and I am not bleeding or having a discharge. Just swelly belly and the three-week pain. I have been putting a heating pad on my tummy for a while after I go to bed. Can this hurt? Or should I be using something cold?

I believe heat is okay, my Dr. told me to use heat which I never did. But I still have some dull aches and pains and burning and itching. I'm very swollen by the end of the day after work too. Some days no swelling at all then poof! there it is! lol!! It gets hard dealing with it at times.

Many ladies swear by heat and/or cold. The Swelly Belly Band sold here offers cool relief. Others use their heating pads for aches and pains.

Ask your doctor for sure if one or the other is better or not advised for any reason.

The key, I believe, is that you aren't supposed to use either for really extended periods -- you could burn or freeze the skin if you're not careful, or if you doze off with the ice or heat on you.

Hope this helps.

I have a gel pack I put in the freezer and it feels great! I did not put it directly on my skin, only on top of my pj bottoms. I am five weeks post op and don't use it any longer. But I did find that the cold numbed my stomach and worked for me!!! Hope this helps!!

I have tried both . I like the heat better.
Stacie

I use a heating pad every night. I think it works better than cold but I hate cold so who knows.... I think its your own personal pref...
Lotsa love,
Tara

I have tried both a heating pad and a freezer pack and I prefer the cold to the heat on my incision but for my other pains like on your back cuz you sit different ect... i like the heating pad. So I would say whatever is your preference on what feels good. But for your incision try some cold and see how that feels that is what they gave me at the hospital so I just stuck with it as it felt good. Or if your worried call your doctor and see what they say but I think will probably say either but dont just take my word for it call to find out.
Best wishes

My gyne/surgeon and my sister who is a PA both told me to use warmth/low heat on my incision for pain because it promotes healing. I asked my sis today, how exactly does it promote healing?, and she said warmth brings blood flow, which is good for healing, and then said something about white blood cells and an increased immune response. (Can you tell I'm not at all a medical person? )

I was dubious, as cold sounded better/more soothing to me, but I must admit once I tried it, the heat pad on the lowest setting did feel very good!

Also, as someone else said, I think the thing is not to overdo it, whether you go with cold or heat -- whatever you use, be sure to give your body a rest.