Lymphatic massage after mommy makeover. Is this something I can do myself?

Question

Hello I’m 6 weeks post opt from my mommy makeover and I never had a lymphatic massage as of yet. However I went to the doctor on Tuesday to check my progress which is going great but he said that where he did lipo is hard and start these massages at least once a week. Is that enough and is this something I cAn do myself? And even tho I’m 6 weeks post opt and my stomach is kind of hard it’s not to late to soften up if I start these massage now ?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Phone your PS's office and speak with his/her nurse or patient coordinator.  If your PS recommends lymphatic massages, the office will have some post-operative instructions for you to follow or can recommend physical therapists, spas, or lymphedema specialists who can perform the massages or teach you how.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

We found that manual or vacuum assisted lymphatic massage has positive effect if done soon after surgery. We recommend patients to start it 2-3 days after surgery and have about 10 sessions in the course of 3 weeks. That helps elimination of fluids, brakes some irregularities of fat clumps and generally improves irregularities which are normal after liposuction. Manual massage at home as well as ultrasound assisted massage using US massage kit ($40-50 on internet) will provide further improvement. Most of irregularities will disappear within 6-8 months after surgery but we found that with this treatment our results have improved and recovery period is shortened. Hope this helps.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

I appreciate your concern, and you can certainly perform gentle massage on the areas using moisturizers yourself. I have never been a big fan of an lymphatic massage after liposuction because it can hurt great deal and there’s been no proof through scientific studies that it helps. Good luck.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions. You need to ask your surgeon about his or her preferences. If they think you need to be getting these type of treatments, then they need to be instructing you or providing them for you. Every surgeon has a different protocol for recovery and you need to clarify what those are.Good luck!Dallas R. Buchanan, MD, FACSOwner & Board-Certified Plastic SurgeonVIVIFY plastic surgery

James Knoetgen, III, MD · Answer

Lymphatic massage after a mommy makeover can be beneficial for reducing swelling, promoting healing, and preventing complications such as fibrosis. However, it's generally recommended to have a professional perform the massage, especially in the early stages of recovery.
A trained lymphatic massage therapist will know how to apply the right pressure and techniques to stimulate lymphatic drainage without causing harm. Doing it yourself might be less effective and could even be uncomfortable or risky if not done correctly.
If you're interested in performing some aspects of the massage yourself, it’s best to get guidance from your plastic surgeon or a professional therapist. They can show you gentle techniques that are safe for home use, like light brushing or circular motions, which you can incorporate as part of your recovery routine. Just make sure to follow their advice closely to avoid any complications.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

You are early in your recovery and the firmness you are feeling is related to swelling which is expected at this stage.  It will soften over time regardless if you have massage or not, but the massage may help it happen faster.  If you prefer to do the massage yourself, speak to your surgeon about the technique to use.  Otherwise, you can visit with a licensed massage therapist to have this performed.

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

Ask your surgeon to show you how he wants the massages done.  If you can't do them, he may be able to recommend a massage therapist who can.

Lymphatic massage after mommy makeover. Is this something I can do myself?

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