Are arnica & lymphatic drainage actually bad for healing?

Hello dear. 
Thank you for your question and provided information as well.
I always recommend massages 3 days right after surgery, this helps your body to avoid the appearence of fibrosis (in case you get a lipo, tummy tuck or BBL). But I do agree that every doctor has their own method of post-op care. Please consult a board-certified plastic surgeon for a more detailed information.
Hope this helps and best of lucks.

Dr. Luis Mejia.

Arnica and Bromelain have been suggested to reduce postoperative bruising.  Arnica pills are fine, but I am not sure how helpful they are. The bruising that is present improves and disappears over the first few weeks.  Ask your plastic surgeon if his/her pre and post operative guidelines include Arnica.I do not recommend lymphatic drainage.  I have only seen complications like hematoma and seroma due to increased pressure from the massage. But you should follow the post operative protocol of the board certified PS who performs your BBL.

Dear Bee2Dee,
every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hi and welcome to our forum!
Each plastic surgeon has their own unique protocol which has developed after training and a lifetime of experience. As a result, there is no consensus regarding the use of lymphatic massage and arnica after BBL. 
In our practice, I don't routinely recommend lymphatic drainage massage unless there is prolonged swelling. In my personal experience, it works quite well in this circumstance. Otherwise the body will heal itself without any intervention. I do utilize postoperative external compression to prevent bleeding and prevent fluid accumulation.
Bruising indicates the presence of blood in the soft tissues. It frequently accompanies surgery. Unless the bruise is large, expanding in size, or is associated with an underlying mass, it can be left alone and will fully resolve within a few weeks. Although I do not advocate the use of arnica, some patients swear by it.
Visit a board certified plastic surgeon for advice.

That’s actually very thoughtful question.  During my plastic surgery training many moons ago, lymphatic massage was never incorporated into the after care regimen nor was the use of vitamins such as Arnica.  information is the body‘s natural response to trauma. It is part of the healing cascade and should not be completely subverted. That being said, excessive or prolonged inflammation can be detrimental to healing so it’s a balancing act.  i’ve been a proponent of lymphatic massage for sometime now. I see patients feeling better faster. I see patients report to me urinating after their session suggesting that extracellular fluid or edema fluid is being mobilized and processed.  do use of compression dovetails with this concept philosophically. If you twist your ankle, you don’t leave it unwrapped. You apply compression to help marshall the subsequent swelling and edema.  I do also use recovery vitamin systems including Arnica and bromelain and have an adult evidence that it does improve recovery. Several of my nurses have reported rapid improvement in bruising using both topical and oral Arnica. Having blood floating in the extracellular space does not necessarily promote healing in my opinion.please understand that a lot of plastic surgery recovery protocols are anecdotal and not based on raw science. We all have our opinions like voodoo priests that aren’t necessarily founded in some logic or science. As an aside, I outsource the lymphatic massage to outside practitioners and thus I have no secondary gain financially. In addition, the vitamins that we provide are included in the procedure price and again there’s no financial motivation for these recommendations.

you should always consider the motive when people are recommending things. Those who promote Arnica or often selling the product in their office guy in the supra mode lymphatic massage also often have a secondary financial gain by hiring a massage therapist and selling their service from their office.I don’t recommend either one.Drinking tea is fine for those who enjoy drinking tea.When I was in medical school one of my teachers said “one kidney is smarter than for doctors”. Afton I am reminded of this and how correct she was.The body knows what to do and generally less intervention is better.There are those who differ and throw post op regiments on patience that cost more than the surgery itself. That can be really beneficial for those whose primary goal is to try to get wealthy under the title of healthcare provider.Some go to medical school to help others other do It as a means to an end.Look for those who serve as patient advocates. They tend to be much better surgeons.Most of the hacks out there are looking at their wallet and the clock on the wall not the work at hand. The majority of plastic surgeons are honorable and committed to their work. Some may believe that unproven homeopathic treatments like Arnica actually work. If they do they should’ve considered homeopathic school not medical school.In regards to lymphatic massage there are probably those who believe this makes a difference as well. All of my colleagues who are top Liposuction providers do not recommend it.Best, Mats Hagstrom MD