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Massaging After Liposuction?

asked 2 years ago by sim8729 in phila,pa
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 7,978 times
Tags: fat reduction, massage

How long after Liposuction do you have to start massaging? Does this hurt? What about areas on your back where you cant reach to massage?

6 answers to Massaging After Liposuction?

+1

Massaging after Liposuction may be helpful but not a must

Although Therapeutic or "lymphatic massage" may be helpful it is NOT mandatory. Endermologie is also very helpful after liposculpture/liposuction but again, not critical. Although deep tissue massage following liposuction can aid in smoothing out contour irregularities that invariably accompany this procedure it has limited effect on the final outcome and is not mandatory. Some plastic surgeons recommend it to all patients as they feel the edema resolves... more
Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Massage after liposuction

I do not specifically recommend massage after liposuction.  If however, there is an area of swelling and firmness, I will sometimes recommend working the area to soften it. 
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Massage after liposuction

It is really not necessary for you to massage yourself after liposuction. The idea of lymphatic drainage massage is a special type of massage technique used to decrease swelling by increasing the lymphatic flow. If you feel that you would benefit from that type of massage, call your surgeon and ask him/her for advice on someone they trust. In terms of timing, you are ready for massage when you feel you are able to move around with minimal soreness. Good luck,
Sirish Maddali, MD

Portland Plastic Surgeon
+1

LDM, LMD

Sim, There are physical therapists and massage therapists specially trained to perform lymphatic drainage massage (LDM) or lymphatic manual drainage (LMD). Their techniques enhance the lymphatic system's ability to clear swelling from the surgically traumatized areas. This is usually possible when the most severe soreness has subsided in a week or so. Good luck!
Kenneth R. Francis, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

You should not be massaging yourself.

Hi! There is no need for massage after liposuction, except in the abdomen, which is more prone to irregularities. In New York, we send liposuction of the stomach patients for professional lymphatic drainage massage, as soon as they are not too sore (a few days). But I don't recommend that you massage yourself.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Don't massage after Liposuction

There is no evidence that massage has any positive benefits for the liposuction patient. As a matter of fact, it might even do harm if too agressive. The area that has been treated by liposuction is a surgical wound. A repairative process must ensue that takes many months. The healing mechanisms in the body (that have evolved over thousands of years) are very efficient at repairing what the procedure has created. Let your body do the job it knows how to do.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

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