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Lymphatic care after plastic surgery

Swelling, bruising and soreness can be part of recovery after plastic surgery. They may make it harder to get comfortable, move around or return to your usual routine.1,2

Post-operative lymphatic care focuses on swelling and tissue comfort, with treatment planned around the operation you had. This guide explains how it may fit into recovery after liposuction, a tummy tuck, body or limb lifts, breast augmentation, facial surgery or a Brazilian butt lift (BBL).

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How lymphatic care may help

Manual lymphatic drainage, or MLD, uses light, directed movements of the skin to encourage lymph flow.3 After plastic surgery, the aim is to help manage swelling and discomfort, with care adapted to your procedure, stage of healing and surgeon’s instructions.

Research has documented improvements during recovery care that includes MLD. In a small study of 18 women following liposuction or a tummy tuck combined with liposuction, participants experienced less pain, swelling and tissue firmness after a course of MLD and therapeutic ultrasound.4

Caveat: These findings describe improvements during combined care. The small studies available do not establish how much isolated benefit comes from MLD itself, separate from other treatments and normal healing.4,5

At Loam & Moss, Raegan sets clear goals for care, such as managing swelling and improving comfort, and reviews your response as you recover. Treatment is adjusted to your progress and your surgical team’s instructions. The focus is on thoughtful, individual support alongside surgical follow-up, not promises of complication-free healing or a particular cosmetic result.

Different procedures need different care

Liposuction, including 360 lipo

Recovery after liposuction includes managing swelling and protecting the small incisions. Your surgeon may recommend a compression garment and limits on activity.1

For 360 lipo, tell your therapist all the areas treated. A plan needs to account for the full operation, including any areas that are tender or difficult to lie on. Report a new or growing pocket of swelling before trying to massage it yourself.

Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)

A tummy tuck may involve an abdominal incision, drains and a support garment. Treatment and positioning need to respect the surgical repair and the instructions you were given.6

A small imaging study found that lymph drainage routes in the abdomen often changed after this operation.7 That is one reason to use a procedure-specific approach rather than a general massage routine.

Arm lifts and thigh lifts

After an arm lift or thigh lift, sometimes called a leg lift, care needs to account for the incision, swelling and any restrictions on movement. Dressings or drains may still be in place.89

Tell your therapist which movements are difficult and what your surgeon has allowed. Positioning and hands-on care should avoid pulling on healing incisions.

Skin-removal surgery and body lifts

Skin-removal surgery after major weight loss can involve several areas of the body. Instructions about bending, lifting and positioning help protect the healing incisions.10

Planning care means looking at all the treated areas together. A position that is comfortable for one area may put pressure or tension on another, particularly after combined procedures.

Breast augmentation

Soreness and swelling can continue during recovery from breast augmentation. Your surgeon will give instructions about your support bra, incision care and return to activity.2

Before hands-on treatment around the chest, confirm what is permitted around the implants or fat-transfer sites. Lymphatic care should not become unapproved implant massage or pressure on a healing incision.

Facelifts and neck lifts

Facial surgery has its own incision sites, dressings and recovery instructions.11 Any lymphatic treatment needs to be planned around these, including the pressure and positioning your surgeon allows.

A new or rapidly increasing area of swelling, especially with worsening pain, needs surgical advice before further hands-on treatment.12

Brazilian butt lift (BBL)

A BBL involves transferring fat to the buttocks. Those areas need protection from pressure while they heal, and your surgeon will give specific instructions about sitting and sleeping.13

Tell your therapist where fat was removed and where it was placed. These areas may have different restrictions. Treatment must not put pressure on the fat-transfer sites contrary to your surgeon's instructions. Discuss positioning before the appointment, particularly if you also had abdominal surgery.

When can treatment begin?

The right time depends on your procedure, healing and surgical instructions. Some people can begin gentle care earlier than others; some need more time or medical review first. A date on the calendar does not, by itself, mean treatment is suitable.1613

You can discuss recovery support before your operation. Ask your surgeon when lymphatic treatment may begin, which areas must be avoided and whether written instructions or clearance are needed. Your appointment plan can then be adjusted if recovery changes.

Compression, movement and incision care

Follow the garment and activity instructions given for your operation. Your surgeon may recommend compression or support garments and a gradual return to movement. The type of garment and the restrictions differ between procedures.1210

Bring your existing garments to an appointment if requested. Raise concerns about fit, discomfort or skin changes rather than adding tighter garments or padding on your own.

Keep following your wound and drain instructions. MLD is not a dressing change or a procedure to remove fluid through an incision. New or worsening wound concerns need advice from your surgical team.12

Planning your first appointment

Have the names and dates of your procedures, discharge instructions and any restrictions ready. Include details of drains, implants or fat transfer, and explain where you are uncomfortable or have noticed a change.

At Loam & Moss, we review this information before treatment. Your appointment may include assessment of swelling and skin condition, relevant measurements, manual lymphatic drainage and practical recovery guidance. We discuss the plan and positioning with you before beginning.

With your permission, an assessment summary or progress note can be shared with a healthcare professional involved in your care. Timing and the receiving channel are agreed individually.

When to contact your surgical team

Contact your surgical team promptly for increasing pain, redness, warmth or swelling, fever, unusual wound discharge or an incision that is opening. Do not wait for your next lymphatic-care appointment.12

New, painful swelling in one arm or leg also needs urgent medical assessment. Call 911 for sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood or fainting.14

Post-operative lymphatic care at Loam & Moss

We provide post-operative manual lymphatic drainage in Calgary, with assessment and recovery guidance shaped around your surgery. Raegan Brumer brings her background as a Registered Massage Therapist, Licensed Practical Nurse Post-Operative Recovery Specialist and Certified Lymphedema Therapist to this care.

We do not provide MLD during the first 48 hours after surgery. Treatment may need to wait longer, depending on your recovery and surgical team's advice. Dressing changes are not offered. Please tell us about drains or wound-vac equipment so we can confirm what support is appropriate before booking.

Explore post-operative lymphatic care in Calgary or request an appointment.

References

  1. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Liposuction Recovery. Read source ↩︎1 ↩︎2 ↩︎3 ↩︎4
  2. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Breast Augmentation Recovery. Read source ↩︎1 ↩︎2 ↩︎3
  3. Canadian Lymphedema Framework. Getting treated. Read source ↩︎
  4. Masson IFB, et al. Manual lymphatic drainage and therapeutic ultrasound in liposuction and lipoabdominoplasty post-operative period. Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2014;47(1):70-76. doi:10.4103/0970-0358.129627. Read source ↩︎1 ↩︎2
  5. Maningas T, Sturm L, Mangler A, Pazdernik VK. Manual Lymphatic Drainage in Postoperative Abdominoplasty With Core Liposuction Patients. American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery. 2020;37(1):45-49. doi:10.1177/0748806819874941. Read source ↩︎
  6. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Tummy Tuck Recovery. Read source ↩︎1 ↩︎2
  7. Bassalobre M, et al. Changes in the Pattern of Superficial Lymphatic Drainage of the Abdomen after Abdominoplasty. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2022;149(6):1106e-1113e. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000009114. Read source ↩︎
  8. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Arm Lift Recovery. Read source ↩︎
  9. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Thigh Lift Recovery. Read source ↩︎
  10. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Body Contouring Recovery. Read source ↩︎1 ↩︎2
  11. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Facelift Recovery. Read source ↩︎
  12. University Health Network. Recovery After Surgery. Read source ↩︎1 ↩︎2 ↩︎3
  13. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Buttock Enhancement Recovery. Read source ↩︎1 ↩︎2
  14. MyHealth.Alberta.ca. Deep Vein Thrombosis: Care Instructions. Current as of July 31, 2024. Read source ↩︎