Cosmetic Surgery 
Recovery Therapy FAQ

Heal Faster. Heal Better.

What Causes the Lumps and Bumps
After Plastic Surgery?

Cosmetic surgery patients often feel a hardness or lumpiness in the areas treated with liposuction. This is normal shortly following the procedure.

Lumpiness is especially noticeable in the abdominal area.  When combined with other body contouring procedures like fat injections, the lumps can be quite large and distressing, not to mention uncomfortable.

Post-surgical swelling (called “edema”) is inflammation caused by trauma from the cannula (the tool they use to suck out fat) moving under the skin. The cannula creates channels that can fill up with fluid following the surgery.  The tissue at the surgical site also becomes swollen because surgery is a form of trauma to the tissues.  

liposuction diagram cannula fat layers

Additionally, lumps can form in areas where swelling is left standing. This happens frequently on the sides just above the hips in women where their faja  (body compression suit) doesn’t conform well. 

These lumps are caused by the proteins found in the fluid.  These proteins, when allowed to accumulate over time, eventually form a lattice-work like structure that is much like a bee’s honeycomb.  This structure is known as fibrosis.

Fibrosis can be prevented or reduced through lymphatic massage.  By removing the fluid and using a bit of gentle, but deeper pressure, the protein structures can be broken down.

Does Lymphatic Massage Help Get Rid of Bruising?

Absolutely!  In fact, it does a great job at clearing up bruises.  Bruises are cellular debris (broken down tissues) and old red blood cells that are stuck in the tissues following surgery.  

Lymphatic Drainage greatly reduces healing time for bruises by moving these waste products out of the spaces where they are trapped.

Getting rid of post-op bruises is one of the most visible results of Lymphatic Drainage.

bruising from cosmetic surgery can be cleared up with lymphatic drainage

Does Lymphatic Massage Help Get Rid of Bruising?

Absolutely!  In fact, it does a great job at clearing up bruises.  

bruising from cosmetic surgery can be cleared up with lymphatic drainage

Bruises are cellular debris (broken down tissues) and old red blood cells that are stuck in the tissues following surgery.  Lymphatic Massage greatly reduces healing time for bruises by moving these waste products out of the spaces where they are trapped.

Getting rid of post-op bruises is one of the most visible results of Lymphatic Massage.

manual lymphatic drainage
manual lymphatic drainage is the same as lymphatic massage

Is Lymphatic Massage Painful?

No.  Lymphatic Massage is very soothing and feels good, even right after surgery.  If you have had painful “lymphatic massage,”  it wasn’t being done correctly, and was probably being performed by someone with little to no training. 

If you have had plastic surgery in Miami and got a package deal along with your recovery home, you probably had one of these less than professional experiences that left you feeling like you want to pass out.  That was NOT true lymphatic work.

Lymphatic Massage actually is NOT massage. It is technically called Manual Lymphatic Drainage, or MLD.  It is a specialized advanced technique than can only be performed properly by someone who is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT), the most advanced lymphatic certification available.

Who done by a CLT, Lymphatic Drainage puts most people to sleep.   

Is Lymphatic Massage Painful?

No.  Lymphatic Massage is very soothing and feels good, even right after surgery.  If you have had painful “lymphatic massage,”  it wasn’t being done correctly, and was probably being performed by someone with little to no training. 

If you have had plastic surgery in Miami and got a package deal along with your recovery home, you probably had one of these less than professional experiences that left you feeling like you want to pass out.  That was NOT true lymphatic work.

manual lymphatic drainage

Lymphatic Massage actually is NOT massage. It is technically called Manual Lymphatic Drainage, or MLD.  It is a specialized advanced technique than can only be performed properly by someone who is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT), the most advanced lymphatic certification available.

Who done by a CLT, Lymphatic Drainage puts most people to sleep.   

Recover Faster.  Feel Better Today.

Book Your Appointment Now Online

505-554-5185

Question? Send me an email.

Shannon Goins Certified Lymphedema Therapist Albuquerque

Why Should I Get Lymphatic Massage
Before and After Liposuction,
Cool Sculpting,  Smart-lipo, or
Other Cosmetic Surgery Procedure?

Knees support our body weight - knee replacement recovery therapy

Plastic surgeons often prescribe Lymphatic Massage before and after liposuction or other cosmetic surgery procedures to ensure their patients get the best possible results from their procedure.

Prior to surgery, Lymphatic Drainage detoxifies the tissue, stimulates the immune system, and prepares the body for surgery.

Read the actual Research for yourself.

Knees support our body weight - knee replacement recovery therapy

Plastic surgeons often prescribe Lymphatic Massage before and after liposuction or other cosmetic surgery procedures to ensure their patients get the best possible results from their procedure.

Prior to surgery, Lymphatic Drainage detoxifies the tissue, stimulates the immune system, and prepares the body for surgery.

Read the actual Research for yourself.

What Lymphatic Massage Does

Lymphatic Drainage moves the fluid back into the lymphatic system and eventually to the blood stream so it can be removed from the body by the kidneys (peed out).

Reducing the swelling usually reduces discomfort significantly, and patients often leave appointments feeling significantly better.

Without Lymphatic Drainage, the post-surgical inflammation that does not drain on its own can evolve into fibrosis (permanent hardening) or a seroma (fluid pocket) can form. 

Check out how to Prepare Yourself for Plastic Surgery for information of how to make sure you rebound quickly post-op.

Recover Faster.  Feel Better Today.

Book Your Appointment Now Online

505-554-5185

Question? Send an email.

What Happens if My Swelling Doesn’t Go Away on Its Own?

When the body is injured (through surgery, a fall, or a minor cut) specialized cells rush to the area to help stabilize, or splint, the tissue.  Initially this is a very good thing because it helps to protect us from further damage like further tearing open a wound or using a finger where a tendon has been torn.

If the body is healing normally, these specialized stabilizing cells are slowly removed and normal function is restored. The removal of these stabilizing cells happens when circulation around the injured area is good and movement is happening.  When this is the case, the body can move them away and recycle them.

knee replacement swelling
Knee replacements in both legs. Leg on the left shows signs of permanent fibrosis due to prolonged swelling.

What Happens if My Swelling Doesn’t Go Away on Its Own?

When the body is injured (through surgery, a fall, or a minor cut) specialized cells rush to the area to help stabilize, or splint, the tissue.  Initially this is a very good thing because it helps to protect us from further damage like further tearing open a wound or using a finger where a tendon has been torn.

If the body is healing normally, these specialized stabilizing cells are slowly removed and normal function is restored. The removal of these stabilizing cells happens when circulation around the injured area is good and movement is happening.  When this is the case, the body can move them away and recycle them.

knee replacement swelling
Knee replacements in both legs. Leg on the left shows signs of permanent fibrosis due to prolonged swelling.

When our bodies have been injured (including through elective surgery), we do not move as much because it is painful.  Movement is one of the major driving forces of our lymphatic system which is how these stabilizing cells are removed.  As a result, getting rid of these stabilizing cells becomes difficult.

If these stabilizing cells are not moved away they lead to the permanent hardening of the tissue called “fibrosis.”  It’s called this because it feels like a bunch of fibers under the skin – similar to a hardened sponge.

How Many Lymphatic Massage Sessions
Will a Cosmetic Surgery Patient Need?

In an ideal world patients would get 1-2 sessions of Lymphatic Massage and Pulsed ElectroMagnetic (PEMF) Therapy (see below) prior to their procedure to ensure that the lymphatic system is unclogged and functioning well.

Getting treatment prior to your procedure can help ensure that your tissues are detoxified and are ready of surgery, your immune system is stimulated (more white blood cells are produced and actively circulating), any pre-operative swelling is reduced. 

manual lymphatic drainage prior to surgery - manual lymphatic drainage after surgery

Following the procedure, the number of treatments vary by the type of surgery and the health of the lymphatic system of the patient.  Here are some general guidelines:

6 sessions for facelift or eye lift procedures.

Up to 9 sessions for basic liposuction on the legs, knees, and flanks.

As many as 12 sessions for abdominal liposuction or multiple procedures, especially those where fat is re-injected into the body elsewhere.  For example, lipo and a tummy tuck, or lipo and a buttock enhancement; Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL).

About the Therapies That Help Post-Operative Plastic Surgery Patients

Lymphatic Massage

Lymphatic Massage (also known as Manual Lymphatic Drainage) techniques move fluid out and away from the surgical site.  This accomplishes three important tasks. 

First, it reduces swelling by moving the accumulated fluid from the swollen area. 

Second, wastes caused by the breakdown of damaged tissues are moved away from the surgical area. 

Third, lymphatic flow is jump-started at the surgical site which facilitates the delivery of nutrients to the healing tissues. 

It does this by creating room for the normal circulatory fluid to reach the damaged tissues.  Prior to lymphatic drainage the flow of this fluid was blocked by stagnant fluid (swelling). 

Manual Lymph Drainage makes surgical drains less necessary by moving that fluid back into your bloodstream. Plan for Lymphatic Therapy after your surgery to make your recovery easier.

manual lymphatic drainage for plastic surgery recovery speeds up healing
Lymphatic Massage (Manual Lymphatic Drainage)
When done correctly, Lymphatic Massage is gentle and soothing - even right after surgery
When done correctly, Lymphatic Massage is gentle and soothing – even right after surgery

Lymphatic Massage

Lymphatic Massage (also known as Lymphatic Drainage) techniques move fluid out and away from the surgical site.  This accomplishes three important tasks.

First, it reduces swelling by moving the accumulated fluid from the swollen area. 

Second, wastes caused by the breakdown of damaged tissues are moved away from the surgical area. 

Third, lymphatic flow is jump-started at the surgical site which facilitates the delivery of nutrients to the healing tissues.

manual lymphatic drainage for plastic surgery recovery speeds up healing
Lymphatic Massage (Manual Lymphatic Drainage)

It does this by creating room for the normal circulatory fluid to reach the damaged tissues.  Prior to lymphatic drainage the flow of this fluid was blocked by stagnant fluid (swelling).

When done correctly, Lymphatic Massage is gentle and soothing - even right after surgery
When done correctly, Lymphatic Massage is gentle and soothing – even right after surgery

Manual Lymph Drainage makes surgical drains less necessary by moving that fluid back into your bloodstream. Plan for Lymphatic Therapy after your surgery to make your recovery easier.

PEMF Therapy is great for healing faster after plastic surgery
PEMF Pulsed Electromagenetic Field Therapy Benefits include faster healing after cosmetic surgery

Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy

Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy is a painless and effective way to reduce pain and inflammation after cosmetic surgery.  It also facilitates the repair of bone and soft tissue damaged during surgery through improved circulation, tissue oxygenation, and enhanced nutrient uptake.

The PEMF mat creates a safe electromagnetic field around the body that is the same resonance as the Earth’s magnetic field, only stronger.  This field works at the cellular level to promote the transfer of waste out of the cell and nutrients into the cell, thus detoxifying and nourishing them at the same time.  PEMF also promotes the relaxation of muscles and helps enhance sleep quality.

Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy

PEMF Therapy is great for healing faster after plastic surgery

Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy is a painless and effective way to reduce pain and inflammation after cosmetic surgery.  It also facilitates the repair of bone and soft tissue damaged during surgery through improved circulation, tissue oxygenation, and enhanced nutrient uptake.

PEMF Pulsed Electromagenetic Field Therapy Benefits include faster healing after cosmetic surgery

The PEMF mat creates a safe electromagnetic field around the body that is the same resonance as the Earth’s magnetic field, only stronger.  This field works at the cellular level to promote the transfer of waste out of the cell and nutrients into the cell, thus detoxifying and nourishing them at the same time.  PEMF also promotes the relaxation of muscles and helps enhance sleep quality.

Put Yourself on the Recovery Fast Track 

Heal Faster.  Heal Better.  

If you are planning on having cosmetic surgery,
check out this article on how to prep for cosmetic surgery.

If you are suffering from pain and swelling following cosmetic surgery,
give us a call and make your appointment today.  

Happy Latina Woman after plastic surgery
Heal Faster. Heal Better.
Recover from Plastic Surgery
Faster with Lymphatic
and PEMF Therapy.

Make an appointment with
Pain & Swelling Solutions
and feel better today!

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