For pain or swelling, you may put ice in a plastic bag, cover it with a towel, and place it 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 the procedure 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 operation and helps it heal faster.
These medicines help prevent bacterial infection. They may be given by IV, as a shot, or by mouth. Tell the doctor or your nurses if the pain won't go away or keeps coming back. Your doctor may suggest you take it at the same time as your pain medicine, which sometimes upsets the stomach. After You Leave Take any medicine you've been prescribed exactly as directed.