Lymphatic drainage after lipo?

I do not recommend lymphatic massage for my patients, because I feel as though if the result is smooth on the table the result can only be sabotaged.

Thank you for your question. I would recommend that you discuss this question with your surgeon. Every surgeon has their own specific post op protocol for their patients and your surgeon is the best resource when questions arise. They are most familiar with your medical history, details of your surgery, and how you are healing. Congratulations on your recent surgery.

There is no questions that lymphatic massage, hyperbaric oxyen, compression and venus legacy treatments are essential post liposuction.  I suggest you get the proper post operative protocols.  Best, Dr. Emer.

I appreciate your question.

I would recommend that you discuss this question with your surgeon as every surgeon has their own respective post op protocol for his/her patients.  Your surgeon is your best resource as he/she is most familiar with your medical history and how you are healing at this time.

For my patients, I do recommend MLD treatments.
The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.

Best of luck!

Dr. Schwartz

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

#RealSelf100Surgeon

I believe lymphatic massage does make a difference for most people after liposuction and tummy tuck surgery. Your plastic surgeon might feel differently so I would recommend you speak with them before scheduling any massaging.Best wishes, Dr. ALDO

Lymphatic message is not neccessary and not needed (I don't use it for my patients'); howerver, there are some surgeon's who believe and/or like to have patient's get messages soon after surgery for the purpose of faster healing.  You can review my before/afters to see the results and I never use lymphatic message.

Yes, lymphatic drainage, either manual or mechanical can be helpful after liposuction, because anyting that enhances the decrease in edema and swelling will give a patient better long lasting results.

There are many physicians who recommend lymphatic massage after liposuction.

I am not one of them.

There is an actual massage technique referred to as lymphatic massage though I personally doubt there is any  way of forcing fluid through the lymphatic system manually.

Even so, I don't see why you manually trying to push fluid through the lymphatic system rather than letting it work on it's own serves as any type of benefit.

There's little to no scientific evidence supporting massage of any type after liposuction.

If massage after liposuction what scientifically proven to be a benefit it would be considered standard of care and all plastic surgeons would recommend it.

It seems to be very popular in certain geographic areas such as the Dominican republic.

It also seems like the massage packages are directly related to the plastic surgeon's income and many of the situations.

I personally do not believe massage after liposuction has any significant benefit and I certainly don't believe it affects the long-term results.

My practice is devoted exclusively to body contouring using various forms a liposuction and fat transfer.

Massage should never be done on areas treated wood fat transfer or fat grafting.

I tell my patients they can have massage if they want to but should not engage in any activity that causes pain or discomfort after a surgical procedure.

Many patients have described lymphatic massage after liposuction as excruciatingly painful.

Pain is our bodies signal that tissue damage is occurring.

Disrupting the healing process with physical manipulation seems counterintuitive to me and if done to the point of causing discomfort will in return cost more swelling, Edema and intern more inflammation.

To me this seems like it would delay healing.

The best answer to your question is to ask your doctor what he or she recommends.

You'll most likely find that the majority of answers to your question will come back to your doctor managing your postoperative care.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom M.D.