Real talk time
Okay real talk time.
Are you thinking about cosmetic surgery? Do you hear so many different things about the after care and specifically about post-operative manual lymphatic drainage? Should it hurt? When to start?
And the big one: Is it needed or not?
First lets be very clear. Manual lymphatic drainage (or as it is sometimes called Lymphatic massage) at its core is simply an option to aid in healing. Manual lymphatic drainage/lymphatic massage was never designed to help smooth out or correct bad surgery techniques. Manual lymphatic drainage should never be painful-that is a different modality completely.
So what was manual lymphatic drainage designed for? Simply to accelerate lymphatic fluid flow. Which means.. moves out dead immune and other dead cells, move waste from the interstitial fluid, reduce swelling to speed the healing process and to boost the immune system. If you look at this list what does all of this have in common? Yes, that is right the lymphatic system helps the body’s own healing and removes excess swelling.
Did you know that the only lymphatic system massage therapists can physically access from outside the body is the superficial lymphatic system? The superficial lymphatic system is located just under your skin---press too hard and you collapse the fascia which collapse the lymph vessels. You can’t move fluid via a vessel that is collapsed. Think of a garden hose.. kink the middle and what comes out the end? Yup nada.
The hard reality is that no amount of any kind of massage modality after cosmetic surgery has to ability to alter the long-term results that were created during that procedure. The truth is that your results will be determined during surgery, by the surgeon. That is why it’s so important to choose an experienced cosmetic surgeon that has the years to fully develop these techniques to create the smooth, even minimally scaring results you really want. This takes great skills and artistry.
Dr. Cat, owner and surgeon at Beauty by Dr. Cat a cosmetic practice out of Los Angels CA, states it this way on her blog: “When choosing a surgeon, remember that these procedures must be performed in a precise, even, and artistic fashion to create natural and smooth results. Many patients waste time and money after having botched liposuction or tummy tuck, thinking lymphatic massage will smooth out the bumps.”
If Dr. Cat is correct, you may be asking why get clinical manual lymphatic after cosmetic surgery at all? Simple--Protect that artistry by helping your body’s healing process and to reduce your pain, swelling and recovery time. . remember lymphatic massages at its core is simply an option to aid in healing.
Post-operative manual lymphatic drainage work should clinical, it should be GENTLE and PAIN FREE. Period. Anything else is not true manual lymphatic drainage and does not help your body heal.
Clinical manual lymphatic drainage is the safe modality after surgery. It is gentle, light and pain free. It can boost your immune system along with your healing time by removing waste, reducing swelling to allow nutrients to get the area easier, and assisting your body as it lays down new collagen to stay hydrated, moveable and nonfibrotic. Many patients feel lighter after just the first session and find their compression a bit easier to get back into and find that manual lymphatic drainage helps them get feeling back quicker too.
So do your research on surgeons and on your manual lymphatic providers. This is a big investment and you deserve to be completely happy with your end results. Ask questions-this is your body and you are allowed to be in control of it choose wisely and you will love your results.