It will be capped or have tubing connected to it. 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 may use heat for pain or swelling. Do not sleep on the heating pad or hot water bottle.
Heat brings blood to the area of the surgery and helps it heal faster.
These medicines may be prescribed to reduce the chance of infection. They can be given by IV, as a shot, or by mouth. If the pain won't go away or keeps coming back, alert your doctor to the problem. After the operation, you'll need to rest in bed for a while. But even if you are confined to bed, it's important to exercise your legs in order to stop blood clots from forming.