For pain or swelling, you can put ice in a plastic bag, cover it with a towel, and place this over the incision for 15 to 20 minutes out of every hour as long as necessary. Do not sleep on the ice pack. Treatment with ice is most effective when started right after surgery and used for 24 to 48 hours. After the first 24 to 48 hours you can use heat for pain or swelling. Do not sleep on the heating pad or hot water bottle.
Heat brings blood to the incision area and helps it heal faster.
After the operation, your body may need extra oxygen. It is given either through a plastic mask over your mouth and nose or through nasal prongs. If the oxygen dries out your nose or the nasal prongs bother you, tell your nurse, but don't take off the oxygen on your own. Deep breathing opens the tubes going to your lungs. Coughing helps to bring up sputum from your lungs and keep them clear.