Are lymphatic massages necessary after having liposuction? What is fibrosis and how is it prevented after liposuction?

In my experience of performing lipo over 19 years and in my center where first liposuction in the USA was performed over 40 years ago and ever since no one has undergone lymphatic massage and it has not been recommended as per evidence based medicine.  Post operative girdle, compression garment that is worn after is compression that helps with this same matter without needing "massage" or "lymphatic massage".  I recommend a liposuction expert with at least 15 years of experience that ideally does perform only ONE patient a day and takes time with you fully and does perfect job than a place where you are a number.   Proper lipo is key and a work of art aesthetics and science 

Yes, for liposuction after care, I recommend adding lymphatic massage along with your compression and hyperbaric oxygen to help decrease swelling. To improve your final results, I also recommend adding vanquish for further fat removal, exilis/venus legacy for skin tightening, cellutone/z wave to make the skin smooth, remove scar tissue, and improve the skin’s appearance. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Hello,Whether you do it yourself or hire a 'specialist', post surgical massage is very good to redistribute small fluid collections, 're-drape' skin, and soften fibrosis (a normal reaction to surgical intervention). There is no evidence that expensive, high tech devices are of any benefit. If your surgeon didn't show you how, go visit a lymphatic/post-liposuction massage specialist for at least one visit to see how it's done. Best of luck!

Thank you for your questions. Massage after liposuction can help improve the swelling and speed up the recovery, but it is not a fail-safe to prevent complications. You should discuss your postop care with your surgeon as everyone has a different protocol for what they think works best.Good luck!

Dear Lauryen828,we offer complimentary Venus Legacy Radio Frequency Treatments after liposuction to help with fluid mobilization. But 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, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Thank you for your question. Fibrosis is the formation of excess or overgrowth of fibrous tissue in response to tissue injury and chronic inflammation, which often results in a hardened area of scar tissue. Fortunately, it is not a common side effect of liposuction and wearing a tight compression garment after your procedure will help prevent the formation of excess fibrous tissue. In regards to lymphatic massage after lip, this is usually helpful in reducing post lip inflammation and making patients feel more comfortable but there is no sound evidence to prove that it will prevent fibrosis. 

There is no scientific evidence that lymphatic massage will improve liposuction results. I do find that patients who receive lymphatic massage have less swelling during the recovery period, but their final results are no better than people who choose not to have lymphatic massage. Lymphatic massages also have additional costs. Hope this helps!Johnson C. Lee, MDBoard-Certified Plastic Surgeon@drjohnsonlee

Thanks for the great question! Lymphatic massage after liposuction will help to improve some of the edema there and does sometime help with comfort right after surgery. I don't tell my patients that they have to have it. So do like to have it done and think it makes a different. Whether or not to have the massage is really up to you and your surgeon.Best,~Dr. Sieber

Lymphatic massage after liposuction may help the swelling resolve a little sooner, but it will not prevent scar tissue formation from forming in each of the canal tunnels.  Increased scar formation may be seen with certain liposuction techniques.  Patients that have had ultrasound assisted or laser assisted liposuction tend to be harder to revise (secondary liposuction) due to the amount of scar tissue/fibrosis present.  Patients that have had coolsulpting first are also much harder to suction secondarily in my experience for the same reason.

While massage can help promote healing and possibly smoother surface, the surgeon's qualifications (how long he is doing liposuction, training, etc.) still have the most influence on the final results.

When liposuction is done aggressively--i.e., use of large cannula, too superficial fat removal, and other incorrect and injurious techniques--scar tissue or fibrosis can form and invariably create this adhesion that results in surface irregularities, which can improve with time.  However, some patients may necessitate a revision, which can be in the form of repeat liposuction, fat injection, or subcision (a special needle is used to release the scar).

In a nutshell, the most important thing is to find a board-certified plastic surgeon who has been doing liposuction for many years (more than five years).

Good luck and best wishes.