Why do AirSculpt doctors tell you not to get post-op lymph massages?

Question

I'm going to get airsculpt in Nashville soon. I asked about post op lymph massages (I'm getting 360 lipo) and they said they are not fans of these massages and just say to massage yourself. I posted a question previously about avoiding lumps, and the responses were all about getting lymphatic drainage massages. Every YouTuber I follow who has great results seems to have also gotten these massages. Can anyone explain why you would tell a patient not to have these? Thanks

Carey Nease, MD · Answer

I am one of the Nashville surgeons at AirSculpt and I do recommend lymphatic massage starting about 10-14 days post-op, twice a week for 2 weeks and then once a week for another month or so. Ultimately I'm not sure it makes the results better but the swelling does go down more quickly with the massages. The key is to find a therapist who specializes in post-surgery massage as it's different than a traditional massage focused on muscles and fascia. Hope that helps!

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Great question—and one that comes up often.

While lymphatic drainage massages are commonly recommended after traditional liposuction to help reduce swelling, fluid buildup, and promote smoother results, some AirSculpt providers advise against them for a few reasons specific to the AirSculpt technique:

Minimally Invasive Nature of AirSculpt:
AirSculpt is marketed as a gentler, minimally invasive alternative to traditional liposuction. Because it involves less trauma to the tissue and doesn't require general anesthesia, providers may feel that extensive manual drainage is not necessary.

Risk of Overmanipulation:
Post-surgical tissues are delicate, and overly aggressive massage—especially if not performed by someone trained in post-op care—can potentially lead to complications like bruising, inflammation, or disruption of the healing fat layers.

Controlled Technique and Recovery:
Some surgeons believe that the AirSculpt technique already provides controlled, uniform fat removal, minimizing the need for external interventions. They may feel that light self-massage, when done correctly, is sufficient for optimal recovery.

Provider Preference and Protocol:
Post-op care recommendations vary by practice. Some surgeons may have had experiences where external massages led to inconsistent outcomes or patient concerns, and so they choose to simplify the aftercare process.

That said, many patients do benefit from properly performed lymphatic drainage massages, especially when done by a trained therapist familiar with post-lipo recovery. It’s important to follow your provider’s recommendations, but if you’re considering additional therapies, bring it up in advance so they can guide you based on your specific case.

Hope this helps clarify!

Justin Yovino, MD, FACS · Answer

Keep in mind, Airsculpt is liposuction no matter how it’s spun. As for your question, there’s likely a lot of reasons for you getting conflicting information. I’m wondering if you actually heard that from a surgeon or a consultant. The bottom line is that massages do help with the outcome but aren’t mandatory to achieve good results. If a surgeon follows up closely with post op patients who do and don’t undergo massages, it’s obvious that massages decrease the initial swelling in the majority of patients. In my opinion, if a surgeon doesn’t speak positively about massages they either don’t have experience with it or they don’t want to add more things for you to do in hopes that their procedure may seem more attractive. I do recommend post lipo massages but it’s not a deal breaker if the patient doesn’t do it.  It’s a case by case situation and can be dictated by how much or little swelling the patient is experiencing in the early days of post op course. This is one of the many reasons why it’s important for the surgeon and patient to be communicating regularly during this time frame. Also keep in mind that besides being healthy and realistic and some other things, the MOST important part of this lipo journey is picking the right surgeon.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

No one has ever shown that there is a clinical advantage to doing postoperative massage after liposuction.
The drawbacks to having massage after liposuction is that it can be very painful without any benefit.
It can also be expensive.
The belief that postoperative massage is helpful or necessary, seems to be geographically based, and is often associated with a secondary financial gain to the provider.
If plastic surgeons hire in house therapist and charge the patient and they’re making additional revenue from these massages.
Massage seems to be more recommended south of the border and especially in Florida.
In the West Coast, most plastic surgeons don’t emphasize after liposuction.
The procedure is done correctly. Patient will not have lumps after Liposuction.
If the procedure is not done evenly then patient will develop lumps whether they have massage or not had a new paragraph. There’s no way massage is going to change fat distribution.
I believe some providers also use massage as an excuse for covering up for insufficient quality work.
I’ve heard plenty of stories of providers blaming patients for not having had enough massage or telling patients that they need more massage to improve the undesirable outcome.
I think the biggest disadvantage to recommending massage Aesthetic can excruciatingly painful during the early postoperative.
Doing something that is very painful is an indication that the body is being injured.
Manipulating highly inflamed tissue that’s trying to heal is disrupting the network of scar tissue that is forming leading to more scar tissue forming because of the disruption. 
For those patients who want to have massage, I think what your provider said is the perfect solution.
By limiting massage to the level that is not overly painful the chance of creating injury after surgery is minimized and undo unnecessary pain is avoided.
I completely agree with your provider despite not having a YouTube channel. 
In the end, there are only two variables that determine Liposuction results.
The first patient candidacy for the procedure and the second is the skill and experience of the provider.
Nothing else really matters in any significant way in regards to quality outcomes 
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Why do AirSculpt doctors tell you not to get post-op lymph massages?

Answers (4)

Answer: Massage after Liposuction

Answer: Massage after Liposuction

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about AirSculpt

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Why do AirSculpt doctors tell you not to get post-op lymph massages?

Answers (4)

Answer: Massage after Liposuction

Answer: Massage after Liposuction

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about AirSculpt

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.