Post-op Massages - is it recommended to reopen the incisions to drain the fluid during a massage?

Often, I recommend lymphatic massage after liposuction to help with postop swelling and healing. With time, the body normally resorbs the swelling/ fluid.
Wounds may be open if the patient has a seroma or fluid collection; not for lymphatic massages postop.

Graceful, I appreciate your concern however lymphatic massage after liposuction is highly controversial because it can be extremely painful and does not improve or speed recovery in any shape or fashion. Any fluid that is placed during surgery that does not drain out through sutured incisions will simply be absorbed by your body. Opening the incisions to allow drainage is not only unnecessary, it can cause worse appearing scars. Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon in our area to explore the best options for you and all aspects of recovery from liposuction surgery. Good luck.

Dear Graceful639068,
I understand your concern. It is best that you consult your plastic surgeon regarding post operative care and management (i.e including massage techniques and timing) specific to your case. Your surgeon knows your condition well and has preferences on when and what to use for faster healing and recovery. Post operative care and management depends on the type of surgery performed and the technique used during surgery among other factors.It is best, however, that you follow your plastic surgeon's advice on post operative care management for a smooth and faster healing and recovery.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hi.Most of the fluid will drain in first 5 days postoperatively and any remaining fluid will be absorbed by the body. Even if any localised collection is there can be easily removed with syringe. Lymphatic massage is basically to reduce edema and can also help to drain remaining fluid. So in my opinion there is no need to reopen the incision site. Hope I have cleared your doubt.Thanks for posting.Good luck.

NO! That is a violation of scope of practice to have a massage therapist preform suture re opening of liposuction incisions. Why is a drain not placed by the surgeon? Plus all that cross contamination of the massage tables, sheets, floor, room from drainage of different patients body fluids, blood, tissue fluids, etc. is not acceptable care. Additionally what if an infection occurs, then what? Please most lipo swelling fluids will re absorb. Please stop massage therapist acting like surgeons!

First, massages were not used after liposuction for the first decade of my practice and the patients healed up just fine. Fibrosis, or scar tissue formation, is a NORMAL PART OF HEALING after ALL surgeries. The massages do help in the short term making it easier to move around and May Sid in lymphatic drainage. You cannot tell which patient had massages or did not a year later: they both heal similarly.
Lastly, your massage therapist is not a physician and should NOT go against your physician’s techniques by removing sutures.
The fluid (edema) is absorbed by the body over time…3-12 months
Dr. Taranow

It is critical to drain fluid through drainage tubes that are kept in place between 1 to 2 weeks. Fluid wil be drained during each one of your lymphatic messages. If you did not get drains, then you will have to have your fluid drained through your port holes. If you don't drain the fluid you will risk seroma and fibrosis.

Personally I don’t recommend massage after liposuction so I can speak to how it’s done for potential benefits.

I don’t think a massage therapist can make a surgical incision or open a surgical incision because doing so will be practicing medicine. it would be managing complication from an operation which needs to be done by the surgeon.

A lot of people speak of lymphatic massage after liposuction in which the idea is that the fluid is pushed in through lymphatic vessels which eventually drain back into that vascular system.

If you have a plastic surgeon then I suggest you ask him or her if not I suggest you have a few in person consultations.

Personally I’ve never had a patient developed a seroma after liposuction and have never had the need for patients to have fluid removed after the procedure.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Whatever you have heard, there is NEVER any reason to leave the incisions open initially or to open them for massage. I was among the first surgeons doing liposuction in this country and have never left an incision open or even felt the need to have a patient get lymphatic massage. All these techniques were started by untrained surgeons who did not understand the body or the procedure. If you have not already had the procedure, make sure that you choose a well trained plastic surgeon with significant experience.