Using Lymphatic Drainage Massage After Liposuction

Liposuction is a form of cosmetic surgery that removes excess fat from under the skin by using a suctioning technique. There are a couple of things that happen to the body after this sort of procedure: There is extensive damage to the lympathic system from the invasive surgical attack and this causes major swelling and pooling of fluid under the skin, and the anesthetic solution used for the procedure gets trapped under the skin which can actually slow recovery. In essence, the main problem after liposuction is fluid retention and swelling, which can be both be helped with external treatments like lymphatic drainage massage therapy.

Before choosing a liposuction provider, check with the clinic or surgery center to make sure they have an LDT on staff (lymphatic drainage therapist), or someone with equal experience in this type of therapy. An LDT can not only help with the massage process after liposuction, but with developing a post surgical home regimen that includes herbal remedies and self lymphatic massage exercises to assist with the recovery process.

Liposuction providers have testified that lymphatic drainage massage after this type of surgery helps accelerate the healing process, decrease postoperative visits, and improve overall comfort to the patient after the procedure. Traditional treatment post liposuction has included elastic compression garments for two or more weeks, which many providers agree could use some improvement. Some providers have found that adding lymphatic drainage massage therapy to this traditional post procedure process significantly reduces the length of time the compression garments are needed after liposuction(Liposuction is a form of cosmetic surgery that removes excess fat from under the skin by using a suctioning technique).

Swelling, bruising, and tenderness are all side effects that happen after liposuction. The lymphatic system is the delicate system that is the major player in these symptoms. It is overworked and shocked from the surgery, and gentle massage helps it to relax and regain its normal function, which mobilizes the fluid necessary to fight off infection, remove excess fluid, and reduce the swelling that happens after liposuction. There will always be some swelling after any procedure. That’s because all the fluid is sending reinforcements to help with the healing process; however, too much fluid can do more damage than good. The body doesn’t realize that, though, so manual mobilization through gentle lymphatic massage helps it function in a more balanced way.