Hello everyone, I've seen countless posts and comments about using a heating pad for a variety of reasons (pain, elimination of the CO2 gas etc.) after surgery and many people indicate that it is so helpful.

I'm curious about where the notion came about to use heat. Is this something people are trying at the suggestion of others? Has your bariatric surgeon recommended or suggested this as part of their post-op instructions? Is it something your nutritionist suggested?

While I realize that a heating pad emits a very low amount of heat, is anyone concerned that even that small amount of heat may cause their temperature to rise - which may register as a slight fever while in the hospital or at home.

I've been wondering about this practice after reading and responding to a different post a couple of days ago. Thanks!

I slept with a heating pad under my shoulders the entire time I was in the hospital because it makes the pain from the gas that tends to present in your shoulder less severe and in my case I was completely freezing after surgery, so it helped with that too. The nurses knew I was doing it and I never registered a fever. I've actually been using a heating pad for the last few hours because I had a bit of a backache and it was more comfortable to be leaning against the heating pad while I worked. Out of curiousity I just took my temperature and it was 98.3, so not a big deal.

I used the heating pad as a suggestion from reading these boards and it did great things for the shoulder pain. I also brought my own gas-x strips with me to the hospital because when I asked for them in the hospital they told me they didn't have any and I couldn't take any of the pill version. Fortunately, I came prepared, lol.

I use a heating pad regularly for apaches and pains and also used it in the hospital post op. I never registered anywhere near a slightly elevated temperature. The nurses actually commented on what a good idea it was to bring with me. My suggestion is to bring it, but talk to the nurse before using it to make sure there are no concerns.

I still use my heating pad every nite. No issues here