Post-Surgical Lymphatic Drainage Information

Who are your therapists

Lea (Massage Therapist Instructor) and Brianna (Licensed Massage Therapist) have both completed specialized training specifically in Post Cosmetic Surgery Lymphatic Drainage. Their knowledge will allow you to feel confident in the treatment received and the outcome you desire. Unlike basic Lymphatic Drainage training most therapist have learned, Post surgical takes it a step further. We look for and treat edema, sarcoma, cording, indurated tissue, and fibrosis. We believe treatment does not have to hurt and be painful. Soft, gentle strokes are utilized. Fluid is NOT forced or pushed.

What Happens During the Session

So, what happens during your session? First, a lymphatic massage should not be confused with a traditional one. Traditional massages focus on the patient’s muscles, improving blood flow and promoting healing. Post-surgical lymphatic drainage focuses on the client’s skin to stimulate and encourage the natural movement of the lymph. While there are several different techniques associated with post cosmetic surgery lymphatic drainage, typically they all have the same points in common:

Begin with deep diaphragmatic breathing to prime the lymphatic system

Work the unaffected lymph nodes and regions of the body first to ensure no blockages and optimal drainage

Gently manipulate the surgical area

Guide superficial fluid to bodily areas not directly affected by surgery

Uses gentle, rhythmic pressure and motions

End with deep diaphragmatic breathing to flush the lymphatic system being moved

Wave-like, rhythmic strokes are used to open and close lymphatics, enabling areas with excess fluid to drain out. A post-surgical lymphatic massage also stimulates the nervous system and the flow of endorphins, allowing clients to receive welcome feelings of relaxation and well-being to relaxation. This, combined with a visible reduction in swelling and bruising, provides clients with immediate, positive results. It can also help reduce muscle fatigue, bruising, swelling, and delayed onset muscle soreness.

In most cases, clients are positioned in a lying position on their back during the session depending on the surgery received. In cases of BBL where clients are not able to lay on their stomach, clients are placed in a hammock type setting utilizing bolsters and cushions to raise their buttocks allowing a gap between them and the table. As recovery progresses, side-lying positions may be utilized to better achieve the snatched appearance. The utmost care is taken to ensure positioning will not cause unwanted issues to the surgical areas,

Phase 1 – Lymphatic Drainage Massage
This phase is the most important treatment during the first few weeks after the surgery. Fluid rerouting, Swelling reduction, Quicker bruise healing, Decreasing pain and tightness from excess fluid build-up

Phase 2 – Scars and fibrosis breakdown and remodelling
This phase happens when the swelling, pain and inflammation are gone, and the scar has healed properly. Snatching starts, Scars and cords released, Garment guidance.

Each session includes consultation of progress and any concerns, assessment for edema, cords, hardening, or tightness, snatching where needed, faja measuring and choices, and follow-up. Photos can be taken to document cosmetic progress.

Benefits of PSLD

Plastic surgery procedures like Brazilian butt lifts, tummy tucks, and liposuction disrupt a person’s lymphatic, blood, and nerve channels. It can take up to three months for new channels to form following such treatments. Adding post-surgical lymphatic massages to the patient’s recovery programs can speed up the development of these new channels.

The massage can also improve the aesthetics derived from the treatment by reducing congestion in the areas worked on. It sends excess fluids into lymphatic nodes, where they can be removed from the body.

Post-surgical lymphatic massages can also help prevent infection following surgery. Fluid congestion increases the risk of infection because it places pressure on stitched-up incision lines. Plastic surgeons often recommend these massages after any procedures that cause swelling as a side effect. The benefits of these massages include:

• The patient’s skin tissues heal much faster, shortening their recovery
• It helps get rid of any anesthesia or medication left in the patient’s body
• It helps reduce pain and discomfort during the recovery process
• Bruising caused by the procedure heals faster
• It leads to better performance of the circulatory system
• Inflammation goes away faster

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon after my procedure should I have post-surgical lymphatic massage?

The earlier, the better. Many clients mistakenly believe that post-surgical lymphatic massage will be painful and damaging. In reality, it is extremely gentle and exponentially reduces any bruising, burning or shooting pain, lumps, scars, stiffness, and swelling. As such, it is typically recommended to get the first massage in the first 24 hours following your surgery.

How often do I need post-surgical lymphatic massage?

We typically recommend one session a day or every other day for the first week. One session a day every other day is usually adequate by the second week. Depending on the client at least one a week for week 4-6. For maintenance, we recommend one session a month for the next five months for best results. Swelling can last 6-12 months post surgery.

What happens if I don’t do post-surgical lymphatic drainage treatment?

The lymphatic system is not working 100%, which could possibly lead to longer healing and more complications. A slow or overtaxed lymphatic system may not only cause problems with the healing process, but overall stresses the entire body and its processes, namely detox and immune response.

What is fibrosis?

After surgery, fibrosis is the formation of scar tissue and adhesions in the subdermal tissues that can cause hardening of the area, a lumpy appearance, and can lead to swelling of the surgical site. While typically a consequence of liposuction, not to worry.  Fibrosis can be treated! You didn’t go through the surgical experience to see a new complication—so let’s avoid this! It will not always appear, but we have no way of knowing whether or not it will, as it would begin around day 14 post-surgery. It’s a lot easier to treat when caught immediately (if it’s been there longer will take more sessions and likely cavitation to really get rid of that collagen buildup), but it is greatly reduced by lymphatic drainage treatments.

What are the possible side effects of post surgical lymphatic massage?

Aside from decreased swelling, some patients experience increased urination and increased energy. It is also not uncommon to experience dizziness when first sitting up. Nausea and diarrhea may also occur later in the day. This is normal, as the lymphatic system is “cleaning out” the body.

How does post-surgical lymphatic massage help get rid of bruising?

Bruises are a buildup of the tissue’s cellular debris and old red blood cells. By cleansing these extracellular tissues, post surgical lymphatic massage helps significantly reduce the healing time for bruises.

Is post surgical-lymphatic massage a type of deep massage?

No. Post-surgical lymphatic massage is an extraordinarily light treatment. A deep massage after your operation will make it more difficult to evacuate lymph fluid and could also negatively affect your surgery results. However, post surgical lymphatic massage may feel uncomfortable the first week after your operation since the area will be extra sensitive to touch. This is normal and will subside over time.

What surgeries is this best suited for?

Lymphatic drainage treatments are excellent for wellness and healing pre and post-surgery. MOST surgeries. Moving lymph means an overall healthier body whether or not surgery is taking place. That said, it is especially beneficial, if not crucial, for those undergoing:

• Breast augmentation, including explant or implant removals
• Brazilian butt lift (BBL)
• Tummy tuck
• Liposuction or Lipo 360
• Facelift
• Mommy makeover
• Rhinoplasty
• Mastectomy or other breast cancer or related procedures
• Joint surgeries / replacements

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