How dangerous is swelling? Cold or heat?

Hello sisters,
I am about 3 weeks out from a rectocele/entrocele repair and find that I can't walk without having swelling in the vaginal area that leaves the skin quite puffy and almost white (reduced circulation?) Anyway, I am wondering if applying heat or cold is best? Any ideas? Also, anyone have this repair and if so, could you walk at 3 weeks without being sore? I am not talking about walking exercise, but just normal walking to live your life....yesterday the sum total of my journies were fixing alittle food for breakfast, bathroom trips and padding around the house, and did voyage out to eat sitting in a restaurant for 45 minutes because it was our 17th wedding anniversary. No extensive walking, no mall trips. Sum total of 2 hours on my feet or sitting upright maybe and the rest of the day propped on the couch or in bed. So is the swelling normal? I was expecting to feel better by now, but maybe I am still overdoing it?

I will be four weeks post-op tomorrow and still have swelling and soreness from walking or being up too much. My Uro/Gyn told me to use Motrin for swelling and ice. I was told to take a bag of frozen peas and put it on the area for about 15 minutes at a time. Needless to say the kids aren't eating peas now!
Michelle

This sounds quite normal to me..the swelling goes on for quite some time and we feel it most when upright of course. I didn't even sit comfortably for th first 4 weeks....reclining was much more comfortable. I found warm baths really soothing.

michelle--the story about your kids and the peas is too funny!