Question:
Will the doctor let you use a heating pad on your back?

When I had open heart and other surgeries...I have always had back pain. So now, I just bring a heating pad along for every hospital stay. It helps immensely! Have any of you done this? Do you know if the docs will allow this after WLS? Thanks!    — Carolyn D. (posted on September 1, 2003)

August 31, 2003
You'll have to ask the surgeon. My gut instinct is yes but maybe it might cause some issues with blood clotting. The other option is to ask for ice packs, it does wonders to numb the pain.
   — zoedogcbr

August 31, 2003
I would think, as long as you are alert, and able to recognize when your skin is getting too hot, it shouldn't be a problem...I was given hot packs by the nurses for my stomach for the surgical pain. Check with the docs or nurses. Good luck
   — Kelly B.

September 2, 2003
I think it would be fine. I didn't take one but I had terible back pain from the operating table and I got my period to boot. They brought me the heating pad that is run with water. I wished I had mine from home but theirs did the trick. Good Luck!
   — Susan W.

September 2, 2003
I ued one when I went home from the hospital. I wouldn't think it would be a big deal. I would just let them know
   — spring A.

September 4, 2003
I had MAJOR positional back pain following my lap RNY. It was much worse than my surgical pain. In ICU at Westchester Med Center, they gave me morphone and just kept trying to reposition me. I couldn't think enough to ask for a heating pad, and they really didn't think my positional pain was a big deal. However, I really did suffer. Once I was on the regular floor and out of ICU, the regular nurses kept saying they would bring me a heating pad of some sort, but they never did. When I was able to contact my husband (no phone in my room, the first night in the regular unit, and the nurses wouldn't call him for me for hours), he brought me a heating pad and it made a TREMENDOUS difference. In my opinion, Westchester Med Center had inadequate nursing care(probably due to short staffing). I would bring a heating pad with me, if I were you. I will bring one with me if I ever am admitted to a hospital again! And I will probably hire my own private duty nurse when I'm not in ICU.
   — Kathy J.

September 5, 2003
I knew form past experience that if I laid on an OR table flat on my back for 1 1/2 hours I would wake up a cripple. I INSISTED in the OR that I be positioned with a wedge under my knees to take the pressure off my lower back, and would not alloew tham to medicate me until I knew it was in place. It made a tremendous difference.
   — **willow**