Massaging Smart Lipo lumps and bumps

I had Smart Lipo done on my thighs a couple of weeks ago. I see that some of the doctors have mentioned that massage helps with the lumps and bumps. What type of massage? Can you describe how I should do it for massaging to be effective?

2 answers to “Massaging Smart Lipo lumps and bumps”

A: Massage is a must!

By Robert M. Freund, MD - New York City Plastic Surgeon

If you want to do-it-yourself - I suggest small circular motions moving toward your groin area if the lumps are below the belly button, and up toward the armpits for swelling above the belly button. Expert lymphatic massage is another more expensive choice and finally Ultrasound in the doctors office is... more

A: Deep massage

By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Deep tissue massage or lymphatic massage by a trained expert can help with lumps and bumps if they appear to be a problem.

Comments

drbanda
95 posts
25 Nov 2008

Deep tissue massage or what some call lymphatic drainage massage will help reduce the lumps. A description would be quite lengthy. My suggestion would be to have a massage therapist or someone familiar with these techniques demonstrate them to you. In our practice we use acoustic wave therapy (AWT) on most of our Smartlipo patients to emulate deep tissue massage.

aliu
109 posts
24 Nov 2008

Thankfully most early lumps & bumps will go away after a certain amount of time. Massage will help them go away quicker as these lumps & bumps are a combination of residual liquified fat, anesthesia fluid (tumescent), and dried blood. If this "healing" tissue remains in the treated area too long, it can become walled off with scar tissue and take a long time to go away. Mechanical massage be it deep tissue by a professional, lymphatic massage, ultrasound waves etc... all help greatly. You can accomplish it just fine by yourself with deep circular motions with your fingers. You want to feel like you are almost kneading dough. It will be sore but make sure you are not hurting yourself. There is no need to be too aggressive. An electronic warm blanket helps break these lumps & bumps down quicker as well.