How often and how important is lymphatic drainage massage?

Thank you for the question.You'll find that, like most things in plastic surgery, there are a lot of different thoughts (and very little science) regarding massage after surgery. Therefore you should address these types of specific questions to your operating surgeon, who will have his/her recommendations. Best wishes.

Hello. In my plastic surgery practice in the San Francisco Bay Area, we encourage all liposuction patients to have at least one lymphatic drainage massage. This of course will need to be supplemented with massage on your own of the treated areas on a daily basis. Best of luck, Dean Vistnes. 

Although it is not mandatory,  massage ( lymphatic or otherwise) can help decrease pain and swelling following a liposuction procedure.  You don't have to pay for a professional  masseuse,  you can do this daily, on your own.  I usually recommend to my patients that they can start massaging the areas about a week after the surgery.  But check with your surgeon for their advice in your case.