SalamaMama. Aventura, FL

I am a licensed massage therapist. I did have my own office from 2008 - 2010, however I haven't been practicing since then. Although my business was geared more towards relaxation massage and spa therapies, I do remember some of the lymphatic massage training we received during school. The 2 lymphatic massage techniques I use are finger raking and dry brushing. Of the 2, I am sure the finger raking is definitely helping with my swelling. I have to thank fellow real self sister and SalamaMama, mzLBnewme because before she suggested lymphatic massage, I wasn't nearly as diligent about the lymphatic massages as I am now. I was mostly just focused on using deep tissue massage on my lipo areas which in my opinion doesn't really do much for the tummy tuck swelling. Rather, it just breaks up some of the hardness and scar tissue from the liposuction.

Finger raking - USING BOTH HANDS, WITH 1 ON THE LEFT SIDE OF YOUR STOMACH AND THE OTHER ON THE RIGHT, PLACE ALL 5 ( or just 4, omitting the thumb ) OF YOUR FINGER TIPS ON YOUR STOMACH AND MOVE THEM SLOWLY DOWN TOWARD YOUR PUBIC AREA AND EVEN BELOW YOUR INCISION IN 1 SMOOTH MOTION, NOT LIFTING YOUR HAND UNTIL THE "SWEEP" IS COMPLETE. THEN START AGAIN. You do not have to do both sides at the same time. The key is to apply little to no pressure as your lymphatic system runs just beneath the skin so too much pressure will go too deep and not effect the lymph at all. Performing this technique with my garment on makes a difference. It's as if the material of the garment makes a very light vibration between my finger tips and my skin while I'm raking. You will know it is working because you will feel the lymph moving. You will feel little pops / bubbles in your stomach and even in your upper thighs, you will feel fluid "running" through your system and you will experience flatulence. Not to mention noticing a physical difference when you look in the mirror! From what I understand, its best to do this while laying down or sitting beacause when standing the already disrupted lymphatic channels are stretched even further apart. I do this every chance I get, be it for 5 minutes or an hour. I did not try this when I was still in the garment Dr. Salama gave me but I will soon to see if I get that same vibrating feeling. I will post a pic of the garment I wear and I will caption it " my vibration garment".

dry brushing - USE A DRY LOOFAH SPONGE OR EVEN A DRY WASH CLOTH TO MAKE GENTLE YET BRISK CIRCULAR MOTIONS ON THE SWOLLEN AREAS. I'm not sure if this has helped lol, but I still do it for 1 minute on the swelling above and below my belly button anytime I take my garment off. I use a dry, kind of rough wash cloth.

Just though I'd share what has helped me with swelling :')

I'm not wearing jeans yet ( 5 weeks, 1 day post op as of today ) because it's still very easy to manipulate the skin and tissues of the worked on areas and I wouldn't want to have imprints from the jeans. I take comfort in knowing the body shapers / garments are definitely still making a long term difference so wear them religiously at this point in your recovery up until 12 weeks - in my opinion, even if after 8 weeks you start to wear them just 12 hours per day.

$559.44 for 9 nights.
I'll start by saying this place was okay but not great. I go to hotels in my city just to get out of my house on a Saturday. I love a good comfortable hotel stay for a good cheap price ( Residence Inn is the spot ) so I may be a bit judgemental but I think they should update the kitchen cabinets and floors. I undestand they are directly on the beach so no carpet but still the floors look dull. The bathroom, to me is not on par with the rest of the room. BUT for that amount of space with on site laundry ( which we never needed to use ), 2 miles away from Publix, Winn Dixie, Walmart, and CVS and 5 miles away from Dr. Salama. No extra cleaning fees or any other hidden fees for less than $600, I say yes.