Lymphatic Drainage for Post Surgery
A designed treatment aimed to speed recovery, decrease pain and reduce scar tissue.
Important
This service doesn’t involve re-opening sutures or surgical holes to drain the fluid and push plasma and blood out of those holes.
Lymphatic Massage as a post-operative treatment
For Non-Cosmetic Surgeries
- Hip replacement
- Knee Surgery
- C – Section
- Etc.
For Liposuction and Plastic Surgeries
- Vaser Liposuction
- Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
- BBL & Lipo 360
- Submental Vaser Lipo
- Etc.
Treatment
Plastic surgeons often recommend lymphatic Drainage Massage. In addition, they suggest patients take sessions to help to speed up the recovery phase after surgery. This treatment aims to reduce the swelling and fibrosis produced after a surgical procedure. I offer a combination of techniques to decrease the recovery time and to get better results.
Phase 1 – Lymphatic Drainage Massage
This phase is the most important treatment during the first few weeks after the surgery.
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.
Why Lymphatic Drainage Massage is so important after surgery
Swelling oedema
When the body suffers from trauma, cells in the areas of the injury that causes the trauma will release chemicals that will affect the absorbency of blood vessels. For example, surgery, although controlled, causes trauma. Because of the decrease in absorbency, white blood cells, lymph fluids and other chemical substances contribute to the healing process.
This process is known as inflammation or oedema. Excessive fluid or localised pockets of fluid may slow recovery and make the results less aesthetically optimal by encouraging uneven healing and fibrosis, leading to a slower recovery process, painful that could result in health complications.
Uncontrolled swelling could create other complications, such as small pockets of fluid becoming trapped (‘serum’) and infection.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage helps by increasing the rhythmic contractions of the lymph vessels and stimulating the lymph nodes to redirect diverted lymphatic fluid.
Fibrosis
The natural inflammatory response that happens when the body is injured, including by surgery, is initially a good thing because it helps to protect us from further damage. What is happening is that specialised cells rush to the area to help stabilise the tissue.
If the body is healing normally, these specialised stabilising cells and cellular debris are gently removed, and normal function is restored. However, when lymph flow is compromised, such as during post-surgery, the accumulation of these stabilising proteins can be significant, causing lumps to form, known as fibrosis. Excessive fibrosis may be noticed to the touch or be visible. Lymphatic Drainage Massage can prevent or reduce fibrosis by removing the built-up fluid, helping with problems related to restriction of motion and sense of tightness. In addition, post-Surgery MLD helps break down the accumulation of large protein structures while simultaneously restoring the lymphatic flow.
Scaring
Over time, after surgery, those lymphatic vessels that were cut during the procedure will rebuild. However, when scar tissue develops, it can interfere with the correct function of these vessels, leading to swelling pain, numbness and reduced range of motion. If not treated, despite some scars will decrease over time, others could be permanent. This is why Lymphatic Drainage Massage is so important, as it will help heal the damaged lymph vessels and redirect and reroute the lymph fluid.
Scars and fibrosis breakdown and remodelling
Transverse friction massage
Transverse or cross-friction Massage is a technique that involves using one or two fingers to massage the scar line. This is an effective method to massage the scar and helps to remodel it. It will also help to align the collagen fibres of the scar correctly.
Myofascial release
Using hands to massage the skin and underlying tissues around the scar will help to manage the scar tissue and the adhesions that may accompany it. It is achieved by performing Myofascial release, a technique in which the motions are slow and that it is combined with a light force.
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilisation
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilisation (IASTM) is a relatively new technique in physical therapy. I will use specially designed instruments to provide a mobilising effect to scar tissue and myofascial adhesions. First, I will rub the scar tissue with a tool to break up the tissue.
Myofascial Cupping
Myofascial cupping enhances post-surgery Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) by promoting tissue healing and reducing inflammation, improving recovery and reducing scar tissue and fibrosis formation.
Therapeutic Ultrasound (coming soon)
Therapeutic ultrasound complements Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) by increasing lymphatic vessel activity and promoting lymph flow, resulting in improved oedema reduction and enhanced healing of soft tissue injuries. As with cupping, it also helps reduce fibrosis and scar tissue.
What my Clients Say
Read what my clients say about my services and why I am proud of them. Every feedback matters to me to maintain a high level of service and to keep offering the best massage treatments either to recover from a soft tissue injury or surgery or to treat yourself and relax your muscles.
Monika has been fantastic and very knowledgeable in her field. I came to her three weeks post-op, which was recommended by my surgeon, I was very sore and swollen when I came to Monika, but she managed to massage and drain most of my fluids away during the first session. I am currently in my 6th session and couldn’t be happier with the results and recovery speed. I would definitely recommend her to family and friends.”
It has helped boost my immunity after being unwell for some time, and it noticeably reduced water retention in my stomach post-op six months ago.
Not only have these massages had noticeable health benefits they are also very relaxing and calming. Monika is very knowledgeable, and I feel safe in her hands. I think everyone would gain benefits from lymphatic drainage!”