Post Plastic Surgery
Safe, gentle, medically trained lymphatic drainage for plastic, orthopedic, and reconstructive surgery.
Safe, gentle, medically trained lymphatic drainage for plastic, orthopedic, and reconstructive surgery.
Following surgery, the body naturally produces inflammation to heal. But excessive swelling can slow recovery, increase discomfort, restrict mobility, and contribute to long-term scar tissue and fibrosis. This is true for:
Plastic surgery – tummy tuck, liposuction, Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), facelift/neck lift, breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, mommy makeover
Orthopedic surgery – total knee arthroplasty (TKA), ankle ORIF, ligament reconstruction
Reconstructive procedures – post-mastectomy, flap or graft procedures
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a gentle, medically backed technique that moves excess swelling out of the tissues and back into lymph circulation, helping the body heal more efficiently
After procedures like tummy tuck, 360 liposuction, BBL, facelift, and breast surgeries, the lymphatic system is temporarily disrupted. This leads to fluid accumulation and pressure.
Proper lymphatic massage:
Reduces swelling quickly
Improves comfort
Helps tissues soften and settle naturally
Reduces bruising
Makes compression garments more effective
Patients often notice:
Smoother contours
Softer tissue feel
Less pressure and “tightness”
Improved symmetry
Faster return to mobility
For procedures like BBL and tummy tuck, reducing swelling early helps support the contour and prevent postoperative distortion.
If swelling stays trapped in the tissues, inflammation can harden into fibrosis. This is especially common after liposuction.
MLD helps:
Prevent fibrosis formation
Reduce early scar tissue
Improve final contour and smoothness
Support natural tissue remodeling
Mommy makeovers combine two or more surgeries (commonly tummy tuck + breast surgery + lipo). The systemic inflammation can be intense.
MLD helps by:
Reducing abdominal pressure
Draining swelling around the breasts and flanks
Improving mobility, posture, and breathing
Making garments more comfortable
Pushing fluid out of incisions is dangerous and not MLD.
It can:
Introduce infection
Reopen the incision
Cause seromas
Damage tissues
Delay healing
MLD never expresses fluid through the incision.
These sessions often use deep pressure, scraping, and aggressive force.
They can:
Cause bleeding and tissue trauma
Worsen inflammation and fibrosis
Distort postoperative results
Increase infection risk
Aggressive techniques are not medically appropriate after surgery.
In the early stages of healing, tissues are fragile. Deep methods (scraping, cupping, tools, gua sha-style work) can cause damage.
Typically, around 6-10 weeks post-op depending on patient specific health factors
Only when incisions are closed
Only with surgeon clearance
Only if swelling has stabilized
Tools used too early can cause significant complications. Early sessions must not disturb the incision to allow it to close.
Compression is essential to maintaining swelling control and smoothing tissue between sessions.
I will:
Recommend compression garments appropriate for your healing stage
Advise on foams, boards, and padding only when indicated
Ensure all recommendations align with your surgeon’s protocol
Adjust or discontinue tools that cause irritation or pressure issues
Every surgeon has different requirements. Communication with your surgeon is critical to ensure safe, effective care. If anything appears concerning, I coordinate with your surgeon immediately.
Before beginning therapy, it is important to rule out infection.
Watch for:
Increasing redness or heat
Red streaking
Thick, cloudy, or foul-smelling drainage
Fever or chills
Sudden increase in swelling
Worsening pain
Unexpected incision opening
Generalized feeling of illness or cognitive changes
If any symptoms occur, contact your surgeon immediately before continuing therapy. If you are confirmed to have an infection, you must be on antibiotics for 72 hours before resuming treatment.
Red and near-infrared light therapy (LLLT) supports cellular repair and reduces inflammation without heat or pressure.
Reduces swelling
Speeds wound healing
Improves microcirculation
Eases pain
Helps prevent fibrosis
Immediately post-op, as long as there are no signs of infection.
Red light can be applied over closed incisions and around covered wounds.
SoftWave TRT (electrohydraulic sound wave therapy) is FDA-cleared for wound treatments, meaning it can be safely used even with open wounds when sterile coverings and sterile gel are used.
SoftWave:
Reduces inflammation
Increases circulation
Stimulates stem cells for faster repair
Softens early scar tissue
Reduces nerve irritation
Improves mobility after orthopedic surgery
Supports healing of surgical incisions
Immediately post-op, with sterile technique and assuming there are no systemic infection symptoms.
SoftWave is gentle, non-invasive, and does not cause microtrauma—unlike other forms of shockwave (including radial shockwave), while treating deep and broadly enough to truely stimulate healing with to the largest area with the least amount of treatment.
Most patients begin 48–72 hours post-op, depending on surgeon preference.
Typical guidelines:
Liposuction/BBL/tummy tuck: 6–12
Facelift: 3–6
Mommy makeover: 10–12
Orthopedic surgeries: 3–6 early sessions
No. True lymphatic drainage is extremely gentle.
Yes—MLD reduces inflammation and helps prevent and treat fibrosis.
Yes. MLD avoids direct pressure on incisions and is safe around drains.
Absolutely. Coordination is essential for safety.
Click HERE to schedule a free discovery call