Q Why is Manual Lymphatic drainage important after plastic surgery ( Tummy tuck, Liposuction, face Lift or any other plastic surgery.

A: After a plastic surgery procedure, you many notice a hardness, water retention, swollen, hematoma or lumpiness to the areas treated. This is normal right after your surgery. This post-surgical lymphedema is caused by inflammation and trauma from the cannula used to suck out the fat. The channels that are formed by the cannula become fill up with fluid and the tissue around become swollen.

Manual Lymph Massage helps to move the fluid by gently pumping it back into the lymph vessels, reducing the swelling, retention of fluids and pain after the surgery. Without Lymph Massage (MLD) the inflammation can evolve into fibrosis (a permanent hardening of the tissue) or a seroma (pocket of serum). Many doctors prescribe Lymph Drainage Therapy after liposuction or other plastic surgery procedures to make sure their patients get the best possible results from their procedure.

Q:  Is Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) a form of deep massage?

A:  No.   MLD is extremely light treatment although it may feels uncomfortable in the first week after the procedure as the area is very sensitive to touch. MLD it is the most efficient way to reduce swelling, water retention and bruising. It is based on scientific knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the Lymphatic System.  The Vodder Method is the most effective way to reduce swelling and bruising caused by the procedure. This method is used in hospitals and clinics all over world to treat patients with swelling, bruising and water retention.

Even though it may seem to you that a deep massage, therapeutic or other type of massage it may help decreasing the hardness following the procedure it is not. A deep massage is contraindicated after the procedure as it makes harder to evacuate lymph fluid and also could damage the surgery.

Q: Can MLD help get rid of bruising?

A:  Yes. Bruises are an accumulation of cellular debris and old red blood cells in the tissue. MLD significantly reduces healing time for bruises by cleansing the extracellular spaces where these substances are trapped.

Q: How many treatments will I need?

A: Most plastic surgeons recommend MLD after the surgery but it makes a significant difference before the surgery, as it help to filter waste and toxins, excess of fluid, viruses and bacteria preventing any infection before the surgery. Also increase the production of lymphocyte production (white blood cells) that help heal cuts and damage tissue.

We normally recommend between 5 to 12 sessions depending on the area, procedure and the recovering process which is deferent in each person.

Also, patients who get multiple procedures at the same time (lipo and a tummy tuck, or liposuction  and a buttock enhancement; Brazilian Butt Lift) may need more sessions than someone who only gets one procedure. Sessions may be paid for individually, or in discounted packages of 5.

Q: How often is MLD applied?

A: The first week we suggested one sessions daily or every other day, as it helps significantly with the inflammation and the elimination of fluids.  The second week, every other day, follow by maintenance one per month for the next 5 months for better results.

Q: When can I have my first Manual lymphatic drainage after the surgery?

A: The sooner you start your drainage the better. We normally recommend having the first drainage 24hours after the surgery as MLD is gentle enough and drastically reduces the appearance of bruises, swelling, stiffness, burn shooting pain, scars, lumps, bums and soreness that often occurs after the surgery.

Q: Can I have Manual Lymphatic drainage 1 moths after the surgery

A: yes, the healing process after these types of procedure is between 3 to 6 months. If it has been over a month since your procedure you can still get the smoothing benefits of MLD but you won’t get the same results as if you had your drainage in the first week.

Q: What is an MLD treatment like?

A: Firstly you complete your medical form follow by the initial consultation were you therapist will assess the type of surgery and stage of the surgery, any open drainages, bruises, inflammation to determinate the best way to perform the drainage. As you will be very weak in the first week your therapist will help you to undress and to get in the couch and you will be fully cover with a towel. The MLD is performed in the front of the body and only the area being worked on is exposed at any time. Gentle, rotating, pumping motions will be applied with hands.

Usually the entire session is performed with you lying in the face-up position because all of the areas of lymph nodes that need to be decongested are located on the front of the body, although some surgeries do require the patient to turn side to side, sit up or face down for a short time if tolerated.

After the session, your therapist will help you to wear you garment, get ready and will give your after care.

Q: Do I need a referral for MLD?

A:  No. Although many doctors recommend MLD, it is also perfectly fine to self-refer.

Join the discussion 2 Comments

  • Manar says:

    I have removed a tumour on my lower back 4 months ago and after the surgery I am left out with a seroma in my lower back
    Is there a way to get rid of it ?

    • Yaneth Perea says:

      Hi there,
      Thank you for your message.
      Yes, Seroma can be treated in most of the cases, in your case you need to be 100% sure that the tumour you had removed was benign. Lymphatic drainage will help you to reduce the seroma by draining the excess of fluid from the area. I will recommend to talk to your doctor first.
      You can email us directly at [email protected] if you have more queries.

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