Does the incisions need to be reopened for a lymphatic massage post lipo?

post procedural healing can be speed up with the proper healing protocols (see link). its essential you have hyperbaric oxygen therapy for 7-14 days, IV NAD therapy for 3-7 days, and daily lymphatic massages with drains and open incision at the lowest point of gravity to ensure fluids come out of the body. all these protocols will decrease the risk of complications like infections, scar tissue, irregularities, fibrosis, wounds, and blood or fluid build up. Best, Dr. Emer.

Hello @Jennie05 thank you for your question. rest assured that no lymphatic massage needs incisions to be reopened. The massage are just for the body for a better healing and drain out liquids.

In general, the incisions from liposuction procedures do not need to be reopened for a lymphatic massage. Lymphatic drainage massage is a gentle technique performed on the skin's surface to encourage the natural flow of the lymphatic system, helping to reduce swelling and promote healing after liposuction.The lymphatic massage is typically performed without reopening incisions, as the goal is to address the superficial tissues and stimulate lymphatic drainage. It is essential to follow your surgeon's postoperative care instructions, including any recommendations for lymphatic massage, to ensure a safe and effective recovery.If you have specific concerns or questions about postoperative care, including the incorporation of lymphatic massage, it's important to discuss them directly with your plastic surgeon overseeing your recovery. They can provide guidance based on the details of your liposuction procedure and your individual healing process.

Your scars should be fairly healed before getting any massage, and you need your surgeon's approval as well. I recommend that my patients, that want to do this, to wait at least 1 month.

I don’t think anybody is going to recommend opening and closing incisions for the purpose of massage.

If you have a surgeon chosen for the procedure then you should ask him or her what their postoperative protocol is. Personally I don’t recommend massage after liposuction or fat transfer procedures.

I also leave my incisions open so there are no sutures to remove it.

We make incisions with 2 mm round skin biopsy tools that leave a small freckle appearing blemish rather than a surgical scar that requires stitches.

I don’t think what you are describing is an issue.

Every plastic surgeon has managed patients perform hypertrophic scar‘s. The best thing to do is to manage the scars a few months after surgery using various products that reduce hypertrophy.

This includes products like silicone sheeting and potentially anti-inflammatory steroids.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Whoever suggested you open the incisions after liposuction for massage is obviously not an expert. The only people I know who do such a thing are those who learned the procedure at a weekend course from a non plastic surgery source. I have been doing liposuction as long as anyone in the country and kept current with advancing techniques and I have never left a wound open. I occasionally recommend massage late for persistent swelling but always well after the incisions are healed. Make sure whoever you use is a board certified plastic surgeon and has years of experience doing liposuction.