I personally ask my patients to specifically stay away from deep tissue massage during the early phases of healing after surgery.I believe the body knows best how to heal itself without intervention.I have heard too many stories of patients engaging in deep tissue massage, such as lymphatic massage, and it causing extreme pain during the recovery.Any activity that causes discomfort during healing will delay healing, cause more inflammation and create more scar tissue.After 2,000 liposuction procedures, I have yet to see a single patient who needed intervention to help with the healing process.Swelling is a normal part of the healing process.It is not a bad thing or something that should be minimized.I encourage my patients to get back to normal activity as soon as possible.I do ask them not to engage in anything that causes discomfort after surgery.The healing process simply takes time, and there's no way to speed it up.I know many surgeons encourage massage after liposuction.I simply don't see the need for it, and I can say without question I have heard of cases where damage has been done from an attempt to help with healing.If the procedure is done correctly, then the results will follow.Best of luck,Mats Hagstrom, M.D.