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Does massage really help with the hard lumps?

By Wowouch on 02 Jan 2011

I am 12 days post op and my doctor didn't mention having to massage any part of my body. I've only heard about this after doing my own research. In the mean time, I'm kind of freaking out because I have swollen hardness over 66% of my back and stomach.

Comments (12)

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Sharon at RealSelf (Community Manager) 3 Jan 2011

Massage isn't recommended by all doctors, and even then some will send you to a professional masseuse while others say you can do it at home. Here are some threads that explain a bit more:

Your doctor may not be someone who advises it for all patients, but if you give him/her a call and ask about the lumps, s/he may very well tell you it's okay to start massaging. If his/her office is open over the holidays, try giving a call. :)

S in PA 11 Jan 2011
Yes massaging helps! It hurts a bit, but does help. I was instructed to do deep tissue massage 10 minutes at a time, 5 times a day, but for the first few days couldn't even bear to be touched, but then started the massaging on myself (abdomen area) about a week post op. It's been 4 weeks and most of the lumps are down, but still some swelling. I feel optimistic that in a few more weeks it'll keep getting better and better.
MarineMan 14 Jul 2011
Hard lumps? I don't have any of those. Whew!
Suzyq516 in NJ 16 Jul 2011
It's been recommended that I do lymphatic drainage massage 3x/week. The masseuse is suggesting ultrasound 2x/week. Is that necessary?I have the hard lumps with little feeling is that normal?
Wowouch 17 Jul 2011
My doctor has suggested lymphatic massage, but hasn't pushed it to be too important. Most of my lumps did go away with no massage, but I can feel a little rippling on my back; you can't see it though. The numbness is completely normal. I'm on my 2nd set of procedures done over a month ago, and I am still swollen and numb in various places. I know how it feels to be unsure of what's normal and what's not. My legs, after they stopped draining, swelled up so tight I thought that I was going to get stretch marks just from the swelling. Ugh!!!
Suzyq516 in NJ 19 Jul 2011
Did my first session and what a difference. Everything went down, but still had a lot of stiffness. Plus i found myself going to the bathroom a lot more. Slept better. this morning wasn't as stiff but thank God i'm on vacation for 2 weeks I would have not made the moving around. I'm tired after walking a few steps. Do feel I'm getting better. I just ordered another compression suit. Will be flying in a week and the Dr says she doesn't want me to wear the one I need to wear 24/7, too tight. Any suggestions on one i can buy over the counter which she says is ok?
Wowouch 19 Jul 2011
No suggestions on the garment. My Dr. wasn't big on wearing one for an extended period of time. I wore mine for about a month. It was really tight on me too so I took it off when I couldn't stand it anymore for a few hours then would put it back on. My first go around, I felt better when I wore it for my back, stomach. My second was for arms, inner outer thighs, and knees. I didn't feel like I felt better wearing this last time. Maybe because it's 110 degrees here in AZ.
Suzyq516 in NJ 19 Jul 2011
What! you mean I can take this thing off for a few hours? LOL I'm planning my day for tomorrow then. I swear as the swelling goes down it feels tighter. Right now it feels like its tightening up like a vise. I'm sitting for hours studying now, getting up maybe every 40 min. Do you think that could increase swelling? I'm seeing some around my ankles and feet.
Wowouch 19 Jul 2011
I was only given a garment that was about 3 inches above my knees even though I had my knees done. I'm thinking my Dr. probably should have given me another longer garment. Like I said on my above post, my thighs were SOOOOO swollen and tight. It was really unbearable. I would call the office and they would tell me to elevate my feet and take Ibuprofen. I was thinking, what the....? My legs and ankles also were swelling towards the end. However, after about two weeks of the terrible swelling, it finally went down considerably. I am still hard and a little swollen in places and my arms are still quite sensitive. IMHO The Dr.'s are flat out LYING when they say that you're only down for a few days and can be back to work!!
Suzyq516 in NJ 20 Jul 2011
I'm here to cosign that, back to work in a few days is probably more accurage for a handful of people. It's day 8 and I'm walking like the hunchback of notre dame. had a massage today where she took pity on me and rubbed cream into the hard spots. I could feel the area feeling softer but now 10 hours later and I'm back to stiff as a board. the swelling is down in my thighs and ankles unless I sit then it's back. I'm hoping I can go back to work in a week.
Suzyq516 in NJ 2 Sep 2011
6 weeks post op. Massage, massage, massage. I found it to be a miracle treatment!I've done 3x/week since week 1 and the difference in comfort, swelling, lack of numbness with each visit has been tremendous. Now if I could get rid of this itching I would never complain again.
rileydog 17 Sep 2011
I bought a garment from Marena. So much more comfortable than the binder my dr provided and I think it actually compresses more. I could never wrap the binder tight enough without help. Plus the binder made my back and shoulders hurt. And getting work clothes over the binder? Glad I found the Marena on day 4.

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