What happens if you don't get lymphatic massages after tummy tuck?

I do not have my patients do lymphatic massage at all.  All scars get harder and more purple for 4 months as the collagen is really revved up.  After 4 months, the soften and lighten in color.  This is the natural evolution of a scar.

We tell our patients that massage will likely encourage the scar tissue to break down faster than doing nothing.  However 1-2 years after surgery it would be impossible to tell who did massage and who didn't.  So in my opinion, while it may speed things up, it shouldnt affect your final result.

Hello, some of my patients will have massage after TT, but the majority do not.  I can not say that I have noticed a difference in long-term outcomes in my own practice.