Tips for the best outcome after lipo? Abdomen, Flanks, and Back!

This is something your physician should be advocating, and all my patients get massage and radiofrequency (velashape) treatments post liposuction.  It not only speeds up the healing process by decreasing swelling, it also prevents any irregularities and helps tighten skin.  You should ensure you are seeing an expert with regards to the treatment you are getting.  Follow the post operative instructions closely.  All my patients wear 24/7 compression for 7-10 days then overnight for another 7-10 days.  Resuming exercise and excellent diet are essential after liposuction to get the ultimate outcomes as well.  Best, Dr. Emer.

I always recommend lymphatic massage, especially for liposuction patients. I have every patient that I operate on return the very next day after surgery for massage therapy. During big body countering cases, there is always a chance for seromas to appear after surgery. A seroma is a pocket of clear serous fluid that can develop. Lymphatic massage aids the body during this recovery phase by addressing swelling and any pockets of fluid that build up. 
Check out this video with our massage therapist as she discusses the importance of lymphatic massage.

I don't get it.  Never did.  Liposuction is a great procedure.  The results are dependent on the surgeon doing the operation right.  This seems like another chance to charge the patient for something or to blame them if the results are suboptimal.  I don't think the massage hurts, but I can't imagine how it will change the long term outcome.Don't bother.Good Luck!

It's best to follow the recommendations of your plastic surgeon. I have not asked my patients to go lymphatic massage mainly because it's not necessary. I do have all patients wear a specific garment and start manual massage at two weeks. Hope you find this helpful 

Good question.  I do ask patients to get lymphatic massages starting about 1-2 weeks after the procedure to help decrease swelling and even out any early lumpiness.  Those early lumps and bumps are normal but having the massage done helps smooth out the skin quicker and patients do seem to enjoy it.   I also recommend drinking plenty of water after liposuction as well as keeping a low sodium diet.  Wearing compression garments are also very important.  The compression helps collapse all the tunnels in the fat made by the liposuction cannula and allow for a smoother contour.  Good luck on your procedure!

I always recommend massage a week or two after liposuction. I usually have patients start with gentle manual self massage and as they heal, and can tolerate more intense manipulation, deeper massage techniques and lymphatic drainage. It is part of the normal healing process to have some areas of hardness and swelling after surgery.  Massaging helps to mobilize those fluid pockets and make the skin soft again.  Being careful with your garment is also very important, some patient's garments may roll and crease and that causes indentations.  You have to make sure the garment fits well and there are no creases in your skin.

Thank you for your question. The most important tips that i can give you are :- Use of the post op garment 24 hours in the first 4-5 months after surgery- Massages in the first 12 -14 days post op.- Drink lots of water in the first 14 days after surgery.- Healthy diet after surgery- return to exercise from the moment that the surgeon allows youBest of luck

There are four keys to successful liposuction. 1. Make sure you have localized excess fat and not diffuse excess fat. You can tell if your fat is localized if itis thicker in the area you want treated than the adjacent areas.2. Find a surgeon with quite a bit of experience3. Wear the garment religiously for at least 3wks - 20 hrs/day and then 14 hrs/day for another 3 weeks.4. Massage the liposuctioned area twice a day to help smooth out the underlying fat as it healsDo these for things and you will do well

If you believe in lymphatic massage after liposuction or it feels good, do it....but don't spend to much money. There are no prospective randomized scientific studies that show the value of ONLY manual lymphatic massage after liposuction. There is a study from India that shows advantages of both MLD and therapeutic ultrasound.Bottom line: Your liposuction result is directly related to your surgeon's experience, technique, and expertise, not the compression garment, massage, ultrasound, or anything else. Go to a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who has performed hundreds of liposuction procedures.

There are several things that can be done before and after liposuction to help assure good results; here are just a few:1) Restrict salt intake for 2 weeks prior to procedure and 2 months afterwards; this will immensely reduce water retention and swelling post-surgery and expedite the healing process.2) Compress as much as possible for 3-6 months, changing compression garment sizes as needed as you lose inches.3) Lymphatic manual massages using an inexpensive light weight rolling pin twice daily as tolerated starting 1 week post-op and for the first month works miracles! Roll the pin from the lowest point to swelling towards the heart!4) Drink lots of water and eat balanced meals 2 weeks before surgery and 6 months after surgery.If you want to get the most out of your investment, follow these simple tips!Wishing you all the best!