Using a Heat Pad

[Guest guest]

Can anyone tell me if using a heat pad direct on the swelling of

cheeks is a good idea, I had my surgical plates removed 13 weeks ago

and still i feel I have swelling around the cheek area, so i went out

and bought a heat pad which i use on my face around the swelling areas

is this a good idea or should i just let the swelling run its cource?.

Tony

[Guest guest]

You'll get mixed answers on this depending whom you talk to. I know

Cammie's surgeon said heat, not ice. I disagree.

The resident surgeon said ice was not helpful after the initial injury

(the surgery) but I used it anyway because it made my face feel more

comfortable post-op. I asked about heat - he and several massage

therapists I know said no heat, as it draws fluids to the area and can

increase swelling.

MLD (manual lymph drainage) therapy is a good way to reduce swelling.

It is a light touch therapy that helps to open up the lymph network

(which often gets clogged up post-op) and let the body do the healing

naturally. It's not inexpensive, but worth it. You can find out more

info on this at the geocities site at

http://www.geocities.com/orthognathicinfo - click on MLD THERAPY on

the left hand sidebar. You can search for a therapist in your area

from one of the links at the bottom of the MLD page.

Hope that helps,

>

> Can anyone tell me if using a heat pad direct on the swelling of

> cheeks is a good idea, I had my surgical plates removed 13 weeks ago

> and still i feel I have swelling around the cheek area, so i went

out

> and bought a heat pad which i use on my face around the swelling

areas

> is this a good idea or should i just let the swelling run its

cource?.

>

> Tony

>