When to switch from icing to heat?

[DeadlineDave]

I had surgery 4 days ago and had an atypical amount of swelling. Like a purple grapefruit scrotum. It's gradually going down....doc says it should be 60% resolved by my 2-week appointment. He left me 40% inflated because it would be too difficult and painful to cycle on day 2.

Question: He mentioned at some point switching to heat to allow the fluid to escape the tissue. Unfortunately, I was too distracted to press him on exactly when. I got the impression that at some point icing becomes less helpful for swelling and heat more-so.

Anyone know about the time-frame for this? I'd call my doc except it's the weekend and that would take a lot of work.

Thanks!

[ThailandBound]

I iced heavily and almost non-stop for the first 4 days. Then i switched to heat pads. My swelling was almost non-existent. Did you ice your scrotum? I did.

Dr Google also says to ice for 3-4 days after an injury.

[DeadlineDave]

Thanks. I got the impression, though not exact timing, from the doctor that I should start soon. I have a lot of swelling, but it's slowly subsiding. I just sat at my desk for a few hours and had a little swelling come back. So, icing now.

I appreciate the reply.

[nerdynerd]

I iced heavily and almost non-stop for the first 4 days. Then i switched to heat pads. My swelling was almost non-existent. Did you ice your scrotum? I did.

Dr Google also says to ice for 3-4 days after an injury.

TB, was the use of heat mentioned in your discharge papers or by Dr. Clavell either directly or in a video? I'm almost 4 weeks out and have only been icing. The swelling is down but I have a large edema on the tip of my foreskin.
Thanks.
nn

[DeadlineDave]

It was mentioned at my 2nd day followup with Dr. Bryan Kansas. He said that I could begin using heat to help get rid of the swelling in the tissues.

I'm pretty OCD and he didn't say exactly which day.....just said I could begin at some point.

I've decided today is the day and I have to say the heat feels really good. Scrotum and surround swolleng, but getting better each day.

[ThailandBound]

I iced heavily and almost non-stop for the first 4 days. Then i switched to heat pads. My swelling was almost non-existent. Did you ice your scrotum? I did.

Dr Google also says to ice for 3-4 days after an injury.

TB, was the use of heat mentioned in your discharge papers or by Dr. Clavell either directly or in a video? I'm almost 4 weeks out and have only been icing. The swelling is down but I have a large edema on the tip of my foreskin.
Thanks.
nn

I don’t recall icing instructions in the discharge papers. I referenced Dr. Google to good effect. Ice hard for 4 days. Penis and scrotum.

[beachbum1]

I'm not Dr. But I iced regular the first 3 or 4 days then switched to ice and then heat maybe the hour or two. It's really what ever fools good. Icing will help with the swelling, heat helps with the healing. Most use only ice the first few days, then go back and forth. Don't think there's any set times or days. To me the heat was like using a heating pad on my back. Just felt good. Use take it off, use it when you need to maybe eas the pain a little

[oldbeek]

I am nota doctor either, BUT, the standard procedure for swelling is:: ICE for 15 minutes. THEN Heat for 15 minutes. Longer than 15 defeats the process., ice, heat, ice , heat and so on. No specified amount of time.

[Mrprime]

I iced 3 days until doc said start pumping.. Then heat.. Baths and heat for me after 3rd day.. The heat helped tremendously.. It's a muscle... Heat relaxes muscles.. That's my logic.. Lol..

[DeadlineDave]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm using heat in 5=-10 minute sessions and it feels goodl The purple bruise from the scrotum/groin area is now migrating down the legs. it's all slowly getting better.

I have to say this is harder than I imagined, but it's progressing in the right direction and hopefully will be a forgotten interlude.

I can feel the pump and the button. Doc didn't do anything at 2nd day. Said he will wait for swelling to subside and cycle at my 2-week appointment.