Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Recovery after plastic surgery is as important as the actual surgery – that’s when discipline and patience become very important attributes. For many patients, after surgery they want to see immediate results and with most procedures it can takes weeks, months and sometimes a year for final results to appear. Your surgeon will provide post-operative instructions and a checklist for you to follow, that may include lymphatic drainage massages if you had a mommy makeover, Ultrasound-Guided Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), tummy tuck or liposuction. The purpose of lymphatic massages is to accelerate healing and recovery.

WHAT IS A LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGE?

Lymphatic drainage massages are gentle massages that concentrate on the body’s lymphatic system of vessels, organs and tissues that support and maintain circulation, fluid levels and immune function. The lymphatic system focuses on lymph – a colorless fluid containing white blood cells that carries waste, proteins and fat cells into the bloodstream and then filters the waste and excess fluid out of the body through the lymph nodes. Once the waste and excess fluid are removed, clean lymph circulates back through the body. After surgery it is important to make sure lymph is moving through the body to prevent excess fluid retention and toxin buildup.

During a lymphatic drainage massage the therapist focuses on areas vital to pushing the waste from the body tissue to the lymph nodes. The largest lymph nodes are in the armpits, groin and neck and their function is to move the clean lymph back into the veins that carry blood to the heart. The goal of the massage is to help push the fluid through the body to reduce fluid volume and swelling. The massages can also help prevent fibrosis –thick scar tissue under the skin. They are typically done manually, and some therapists use lymph drainage machines, such as a fibro-roller or a LymphMed. These massages should be performed by a trained and certified massage therapist specializing in lymphatic drainage.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGES AFTER SURGERY?

All surgery causes stress to the body. After any surgical procedure, the body experiences trauma – both physically and emotionally – that can decrease the pace of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic drainage massage is like coffee, it “wakes up” the lymphatic system and promotes healing.

These are some of the benefits of a lymphatic drainage massage:

• Relaxation and stress reliever
• Improves skin quality
• Scar reduction
• Removes fluid and waste from body tissue
• Reduces swelling and bruising
• More efficient healing from illness, injury, or surgery
• Improves results

WHICH PLASTIC SURGERY PROCEDURES REQUIRE A LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGE?

During the consultation we discuss lymphatic drainage massages and the procedures that require them. Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), BBL and liposuction are procedures that require lymphatic drainage massages. We find that the patients who are diligent with their massages have the best long-lasting results.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU GET LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGES AFTER PLASTIC SURGERY?

After surgery it is vital to follow the surgeon’s aftercare instructions with regard to lymphatic drainage massages. Massages should begin one (1) day after surgery up to six (6) weeks. After a BBL or liposuction, patients should have a minimum of twenty (20) massages and for abdominoplasty patients, ten (10) massages are recommended.