Are post op massages required after Vaser lipo?

Question

Hi, I'm getting vaser lipo done in March. I'm getting mixed opinions on post op massages. Most of the doctors I had consults with included a package of them in the post op care. But the doctor I ended up booking with doesn't include them in their after care and said they are not required. What is the benefit of these massages and should I find a clinic to get them done at? I heard they are very painful so I don't want to experience so much pain if it's not going to benefit me much.

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

Massages are not required after liposuction, but help many patients recover faster.

Lymphatic massages by professionals help reduce swelling, but not everyone needs them. (Be cautious as too vigorous massages can cause issues).

Follow your plastic surgeon’s post op instructions and ask about massages after post op evaluation.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding lymphatic massage after Vaser Liposuction. In the plastic surgery community, there is a wide range of opinions on the necessity of lymphatic massage after Vaser Lipo. Some plastic surgeons adamantly believe that it is essential for optimal results. Other plastic surgeons do not have their patients have lymphatic massage at all and yet still obtain superb results. You will find a wide array of opinions. For my patients, I typically have them start lymphatic massage at approximately two weeks. In Beverly Hills, there are hundreds of lymphatic massage therapists. Sometimes I have the therapist come to my office for my patient’s lymphatic massage. Other times, the patient goes to the lymphatic massage therapist’s office. I allow the patient to decide because as you know, traffic in Los Angeles is really bad! My general practice is that I have my patient start lymphatic massage two weeks after their vaser lipo. In my opinion, lymphatic massage performed too early and right after the procedure can stir up bleeding. In my opinion, if you wait 3 to 4 weeks after Vaser Lipo, you may have missed the window of opportune time for lymphatic massage.

I would not choose your plastic surgeon simply based on lymphatic massage. I would choose your plastic surgeon based on their results. However they get those results, you should follow that plastic surgeon’s recipe. I hope this helps.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

I would not choose your plastic surgeon simply based on lymphatic massage. I would choose your plastic surgeon based on their results. However they get those results, you should follow that plastic surgeon’s recipe. I hope this helps.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Giuseppe Fiore, MD · Answer

Good Morning, 
In our clinic, Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is one of the mandatory aftercare treatments required after Vaser Liposuction. This procedure traditionally designed to treat swollen lymph nodes, applying a gentle massage to the body’s tissues in order to eliminate excess of toxins and fluid. This treatment also helps speed up recovery after cosmetic surgery i.e. Vaser Liposuction by accelerating the healing process. 
I strongly believe in aftercare treatments to reduce the possible risk of complications and improve the results. 
Our clinic offers an excellent and bespoke after care support during all patient’s surgery journey. 
Hope this helps,
BW
Dr Fiore

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Swelling post-lipo can persist for months, so it's important to be on the right after care protocols. In addition to compression, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and radiofrequency treatments, lymphatic massage is highly effective in the prevention of fluid buildup, scar tissue, inflammation, and infections. Lymphatic massage also decreases the chance of irregularities, lumps or bumps; accelerates healing and minimizes downtime; and, following a liposculpture procedure, can help further contour the abdominals.

I recommend that my liposculpture patients receive lymphatic massage treatments every day for a week following their procedure; twice per week for the following month; and then once per week until healing is complete.

I recommend following up with your physician (or with a hi-definition physique expert) about best after care practices. Best, Dr. Emer.

Navjot Singh, MD, FACG · Answer

Lymphatic massages are essential to have a fast recovery and great results. No matter what type of liposuction you have, lymphatic massages are very beneficial. It allows the body to heal faster and helps prevent/reduce lumps and bumps.

Philip Conrardy, MD · Answer

It is not required, but here at our spa we make sure that it is included in your package after your procedure. So, we do recommend it so your body doesn't tense up and cause hardening after a couple weeks of recovery.

Sean Satey, MD, FACS · Answer

Our bodies are very dynamic. In addition to our arteries and veins, we have a complementing system called the “Lymphatic System.” It’s a system of tissues, vessels and organs that all work together to maintain your body’s fluid levels, maintain your immune function, and keep your blood circulating.
Your arteries and veins carry your oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, respectively. Your lymphatic system, on the other hand, carries lymph.
Lymph is a clear fluid that has proteins, waste, fat, and metabolized cells that are filtered through your lymph nodes. As the fluid flows through your lymphatic system, waste is removed and normal lymph is returned to circulation.
When there is a blockage to this system, you end up with swelling, or edema. When it comes to cosmetic surgery, your body sees this as an insult, or trauma, and floods the areas with pro-inflammatory markers. This then causes edema.
Lymphatic massages will thus- reduce edema (swelling), minimize scar tissue and fibrosis, decrease healing time, and increase patient comfort.
In my practice, I recommend it for ALL patients undergoing VASER assisted liposculpting, starting the day after surgery.
Cheers,
Dr. Satey

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

VASER lipo works by cavitating the fat cells, i.e melting them; as such the first 10 days are critical to get as much of the liquid fat out that remains behind. If you don't it can pool at the bottom of your belly and back causing a deformity.

The Gold Standard for superior liposuction results requires use of the advanced technology of ultrasound assisted VASER liposuction. As an official trainer of VASER liposuction, I perform full body liposuction cases every week. VASER liposuction has been the only modality that has consistently resulted in outstanding liposuction outcomes. VASER liposuction ensures a smooth contour regardless of degree of excess fat by virtue of being able to remove any and all remaining fat comprehensively and uniformly. If skin redundancy is observed, Renuvion technology can be simultaneously applied to tighten your skin to optimize your overall contour outcome. A Skype or FaceTime consultation with a VASER specialist will help you get an accurate recommendation and pricing.

Respectfully, 
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

I suggest you follow your doctors instructions. It would be inappropriate for us to recommend some thing other than what your doctor is recommending for you.

I also do not recommend massage after liposuction and see no indication for it. No one has ever published an article showing that massage has any impact on the final outcome and they can in fact be very painful.

I’m a board-certified plastic surgeon who’s been in practice for over 20 years. The last 10 years of my practice has been devoted exclusively to only liposuction and fat transfer procedures. I have more experience doing liposuction and the great majority of plastic surgeons will ever have in their entire career because I specialize exclusively on this procedure.
 Recommending massage seems to be influenced by geographic location and cultural background.

It does not appear to be standard of care on the West Coast but seems to be much more popular in Miami and among providers south of the border and in the Caribbean.

Patients should follow their instructions from their providers and when in doubt review concerns with your provider.

Liposuction has more variance in outcomes than any other plastic surgery procedure I’ve ever seen. Choosing who does the procedure is the greatest variable and is white patients should focus all of their effort on.

To find the most talented and experienced provider in your community I recommend all patients have multiple in person consultations to help seek out those who have the most impressive and consistent results.

During consultations patients should ask providers to show their entire collection before and after pictures of the procedure and area being treated.

An experienced provider should have no difficulty showing 50 or more sets of before and after pictures of the area being treated.

Ideally providers should be open to showing average results, best results and less than average results so patients have a clear understanding of the variety of outcomes that provider has generated.

I also recommend reading all reviews on various physician review websites avoiding providers with any significant number of justified negative reviews.

The absence of justified negative reviews is more important and more telling than an abundance of positive reviews.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Kristine Brecht, MD (license suspended) · Answer

Dear MA,
Massage is not necessary for great liposculpting result, if you wear smooth tight compression and exercise everyday, while healing.
After 4-6 wks massage can be helpful, but no mandatory, and a lot more comfortable.
Best. DrBrecht 
Seattle, Wa

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