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What Happens if You Do Not Get Post-Surgical Manual Lymphatic Drainage (PS-MLD) After Liposuction/Plastic Surgical Procedures?
    Plastic surgery results vary from patient to patient, so Post-Surgical Manual Lymphatic Drainage (PS-MLD) is just one of many options to potentially improve those results. In fact, whether or not your doctor recommends Post-Surgical Manual Lymphatic Drainage (PS-MLD) after the procedure depends on the specific techniques they used.
    You may feel a hardness, water retention, swelling, hematoma, or lumpiness to the regions treated after a plastic surgery treatment. This is very typical soon after surgery. The cannula used to suck out the fat causes inflammation and damage, resulting in post-surgical lymphedema. The fluid fills the channels produced by the cannula, causing the surrounding tissue to swell.
    As the body reacts to the stressful action of the insertion of cannulas and removal of fat, tissue might generate extra lymphatic fluid after a treatment like thigh liposuction or mons pubis liposuction. Even with less invasive treatments, some individuals may have tissue disturbance, resulting in edema (a build-up of extra fluid). In some situations, pockets of fibrosis might develop, resulting in scar tissue that is rigid.
    Post-Surgical Lymphatic Drainage (PS-MLD) after Liposuction or plastic surgical procedures helps to transfer the fluid by gently pushing it back into the lymph arteries, decreasing edema, fluid retention, and discomfort. With or without getting PS-MLD, patient will heal either way. But the quality of healing and recovery process is not the same. Without PS-MLD after Liposuction or plastic surgical procedures, the possibility of  inflammation can progress to fibrosis (permanent tissue hardening) or seroma (swelling) (pocket of serum) can form, prolonged pain and system depletion can take place at a higher rate.
    A skilled massage therapist can manipulate the skin and underlying tissues in the regions of lymph production to enhance circulation, facilitate drainage, and promote healing during manual lymphatic drainage session. The session itself is usually mild and light, and the patient should find it as gentle, soothing and comforting. A MLD/PS-MLD is made much more enjoyable by the reduction in pain and edema that occurs soon thereafter.

Many doctors recommend massage after liposuction or other plastic surgery treatments to ensure that their patients obtain the finest outcomes possible.
A working lymphatic system is essential to the body’s ability to regenerate tissues, drain fluids, filter out foreign substances and toxins, detoxify, and maintain a healthy immune system. The lymphatic system is complex and made up mostly of nodes and lymph vessels working together to achieve these aims. The lymph itself carries fatty acids, hormone cells, immune cells, proteins, and toxins to be processed by the lymph nodes. When the body is under stress, fatigued, experiencing infections, fighting a disease process, or—in certain cases—recovering from surgery, the process may be slowed down.
Despite being undesirable, fat is an active and living tissue that stores lipids and energy, contains many blood and lymphatic vessels, and provides hormonal regulation. Once removed, those vessels can become damaged, and cells and connective tissue are destroyed. This can lead to an accumulation of excess fluid buildup and the formation of hardened areas of scar tissue (fibrosis). Lymphatic drainage utilizes a particular sequence of massage strokes to trigger fluid flow through the lymphatic system.
A PS-MLD is a specialist treatment that aids in the effective functioning of the lymphatic system. The treated region is given extra care when done after surgery to speed up healing and offer smoother outcomes. PS-MLD has several advantages, including the following:

• Decreases Inflammation: PS-MLD for lymphatic drainage imitates the lymphatic system’s pulse and flow. It aids in the movement of sluggish fluids out of interstitial bodily tissue and into lymphatic capillaries, lowering edema and boosting the immune system simultaneously.

• Reduces Pain: People having liposuction and or plastic surgery may experience anxiety due to the anticipated pain after the treatment. Most of the time, the doctor will recommend painkillers for the days just after the treatment. PS-MLD and Post Operative Massage has been demonstrated to block the pain receptor signals that reach the brain when it is begun a few weeks after surgery.

• Decreases Swelling: Liposuction/Plastic Surgical Procedures can cause several side effects and potential complications such as infection, scarring, and prolonged swelling. The process of fibrosis thickens tissue and causes noticeable scarring and hardness. Although it can diminish over time, PS-MLD can accelerate its removal. Prolonged swelling or pockets (seroma) filled with fluid can slow down recovery and compromise results. PS-MLD can release this by decreasing inflammation and tension within tissues.

• Enhances Microcirculation: PS-MLD improves blood flow and oxygen intake. This is important step in post-op recovery period to preventing skin necrosis and reducing bruises, pain and promote rapid drainage of post-surgical lymphatic accumulation. Both trash and fluids are processed by the lymphatic system. These fluids may solidify after surgery, which is frequently uncomfortable. By easing pain and enhancing circulation, massage aids in preventing the hardening of fluids.

• Decreases Fibrotic Nodules Build-Up: Fibrotic nodules are hard lumps that may form after surgery. A PS-MLD will help prevent the build-up of fibrotic nodules, which in the long run will help improve skin tone and texture.

• Minimizes The Risk of Post-Surgical Complications: Postoperative complications may either be general or specific to the type of surgery undertaken and should be managed and always monitored during patient’s recovery process. Common general postoperative complications include postoperative fever, atelectasis, wound & skin infection, embolism and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), cording, physical, emotional and mental stress and more.

• Improves Immune System: PS-MLD prevents depleting of body vital nutrients. This is very important for anyone that has had any time of surgery. Speedy recovery is a must to avoid prolonged swelling and post-op complications. Because the lymphatic system also plays a vital role in immune cell transport, this treatment can improve the overall immune response, reducing the risk of infection, decongesting the system by promoting fast cell-filtration and reabsorption of amino acids, proteins, vitamins and minerals.

• Soft Tissue Repair: Post-operative massage combined with PS-MLD help promote circulation and blood flow throughout your body–although primarily in the area that was treated. This improvement of circulation allows for nutrients to easily be brought to certain areas. With the increase of nutrients, soft tissues have an easier time in repairing.

• Accelerates Healing Process: With better circulation your body will heal faster. With better blood flow and oxygen given to your vital organs and tissues, you can help your body to become more flexible, and thus regenerate and heal faster than without the massages. For those who are eager to be done with their post-op phase and to return to their normal life, massages are the perfect treatment option.

• Shortens Recovery Time: By assisting in the removal of toxins that accumulate after plastic surgery and enhancing blood flow to the area, which supplies nutrients to the skin and its deeper layers of tissue, massage helps to hasten the healing process overall. Massage can assist the damaged area regain nutrients and flexibility by promoting healthy blood flow. Additionally, massage therapy strengthens the immune system, which speeds up recovery in general.

• Minimizes Scarring: The body’s natural healing process includes defending a damaged area from future damage. This leads to an increase in collagen formation, which, if overproduced, can cause hypertrophic or keloid scars that are quite noticeable. This accumulation of tough fibrous tissue can be reduced and softened by massage therapy applied locally to newly healed scar tissue. Touch treatments’ warmth will cause collagen to soften. These developments will reduce downtime and hasten patients’ return to work and daily activities while making them feel and look even better than before.

• Minimizes Development of Fibrosis: One of the most common secondary effects of surgery is fibrosis. Many people notice it some weeks after the surgery or during the post-op. At first, you may feel some lumps and bumps on the scar tissue, then you will notice that they get thick and hard, and you may feel pain in the area. To avoid fibrosis development, it is very important to start your Post- Surgical Manual Lymphatic drainage (PS-MLD) then Post-Surgical Recovery Massage (PSRM) soon as possible.

• Decrease Water Retention: Approximately 70 percent of your body is made up of water. When this water and fluid accumulate in certain tissues or body cavities, you will have water retention. Common symptoms of water retention are swelling in your feet, ankles, and hands, stiff joints, and weight gain. Water retention slows down your lymph system.

• Increases Your Metabolism: A higher metabolic rate will help you burn more fat in your body all day long, even when you are resting. A healthy lymph system can rev up your metabolism so you can burn more fat and even avoid weight gain.

• Supports Proper Liver & Kidney Function: When your liver and kidneys are functioning properly, they can support the body in burning fat and more efficiently eliminate the excess fluids, toxins, and waste.

• Prevents Body From Depleting: After surgery, the body needs water, fat cells, protein, vitamins, minerals and cell fragments to be recycled and use what it still can by going back into the bloodstream and filtering out what they don’t need by the kidneys to get eliminated.

• Reduces Cellulite: Cellulite in body tissue is caused by excess fat between the connective tissues just underneath the skin. A healthy lymphatic system helps to break up these deposits. It can not only reduce the appearance of existing cellulite but can help prevent it if you keep up a healthy lifestyle.

• Improves the Elasticity of Your Skin: New cell growth and reduction of fine lines and wrinkles are both a product of a healthy circulation system. The lymphatic system helps to remove fluid and waste in the body that can hamper your entire body’s circulation. This in turn can improve the tightness and elasticity of your skin.

• Optimizes Results: Overall, lymphatic drainage can help you achieve your desired results. By reducing risk of infection and complications such as scarring and fluid buildup, patients will achieve the slimmed down appearance and smooth skin they set out for.

Post-Surgical Manual Lymphatic Drainage (PS-MLD) is a series of modified MLD styles with application of anastomosis, faja compression and foam theory. PS-MLD is not the same as MLD. PS-MLD is a part of The Post-Operative Recovery Massage (PORM). Post-Surgical Manual Lymphatic Drainage (PS-MLD is a gentle series of “skin-stretching techniques”  that increases blood flow and promotes rapid recovery by targeting the lymphatic system and assisting the body with rapid reabsorption of post-surgical oedema, removing of medical residual and metabolic waste products, and filtration of vital nutrients such amino acids, proteins, vitamins and minerals and put them back into the system.

PS-MLD plays an important role as a supplement to standard rehabilitation procedures after surgery because it additional benefits promote tissue relaxation, flow in blood and oxygen circulation. Post-Surgical Manual Lymphatic Drainage (PS-MLD) is considered the standard of care in recovering after plastic surgery recovery procedures including “Mommy Makeover”, BBL, facial surgery, breast lift/augmentation, liposuction and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). By activating the compromised lymphatic pathway with application of anastomosis, faja compression and foam theory, PS-MLD sessions focus on reducing swelling, bruising and pain.

The number of sessions patients need will depend on their surgery. It is recommended by plastic surgeons to have a minimum of 6-12 sessions.

• Small Procedure: 6 sessions at minimum
• Medium Procedure Combo: 8-12 sessions at minimum
• Large Procedure Combo:12-24 sessions at minimum

To receive the full benefit of Manual Lymphatic Drainage after Liposuction it is best to receive a treatment as soon as possible after the procedure. Preferrable the very next day after your surgery. Treatment can be received everyday for 7 consecutive days, or every other day or every three days in the first week of post-op period.

The lymphatic system helps process waste and absorbs fluids. We refer to it as the truancy officer of the body— it is an intricate system that is wrapped around vessels throughout the body collecting straggler cells. The lymphatic system picks up toxins along with the immune system and sends them to the liver for processing. The viable cells are returned to the heart and waste matter is later excreted from the body. However, during major surgery, the lymphatic system is compromised for 3-4 months allowing the fluid that pools within the skin layers to linger. After surgery, these fluids can harden, which is often painful.

PS-MLD is also the ideal therapeutic choice for recovering from childbirth (including  c-section), orthopedic or dental surgery, for those experiencing inflammation or autoimmune disease, chronic pain and when beginning or boosting a fitness routine. For those who are breastfeeding, PS-MLD can prevent, reduce and resolve clogged ducts and mastitis and boost milk production. If you’re preparing for a special event such as a wedding, modelling gig, or a vacation, general MLD therapy can also help get rid of puffiness and bloating before your big day.

Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is the foundation therapy for Post-Surgical Manual Lymphatic Drainage (PSMLD) and Post-Operative Recovery Massage (PORM) and the golden standard treatment for lymphedema .  This massage is a gentle series of “skin stretching” with light pressure,  relaxing pumping motion done to the skin.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage offers many benefits for filtering, removing and rebalancing fluid from your tissues and organs. Your lymphatic vessels will pick up and move the excess fluids in your tissue and bring them to the lymph nodes to gather information and engage your immune cells to target and eliminate cellular waste and debris.

The lymphatic system helps process waste and absorbs fluids, which sometimes harden after surgery, becoming painful. A post-operative massage prevents and treats this hardening of fluids by promoting micro circulation, reducing inflammation, and helping scar tissue heal.

Post-Operative Recovery Massage (PORM) is a form of medical massage that uses a combination of MLD with application of Lymphatic Anastomosis and additional manual techniques to best aid your connective tissue in healing.

After undergoing any type of surgery, both Post-Surgical Manual Lymphatic Drainage (PS-MLD) and Post-Operative Recovery  Massage (PORM) are crucial for treatments for patients and their post-op healing processes.

Did you know that many doctors prescribe post-operative recovery massage  after plastic surgery and/or liposuction to make sure their patients get the best possible results from their procedures?
    It is very common to experience discomfort, swelling and bruising after any plastic surgery procedure and there are not many options to handle these uncomfortable symptoms, but there are two massage techniques called Post-Surgical Manually Lymphatic Drainage (PS-MLD) Post-Operative Recovery Massage (PORM) that can help you cope with post-surgical discomforts. These two types of massage are vital and very beneficial to the recovery process. No matter what type of plastic surgery you are having or what stage of recovery you are in, these two types of  massage are beneficial to you.
    After a plastic surgery procedure, swelling can occur around your incision sites and in the treated area. The lymphatic system collects excess fluid (lymphatic fluid) that drains from cells and tissues. This fluid usually carries toxins and other harmful substances away from healthy tissue.

Plastic Surgery can be extremely hard on the body. The first issue to deal with is swelling/post-surgical edema. Post-surgical swelling is caused by inflammation and trauma from the cannula (the instrument that sucks out the fat) moving under the skin. Channels formed by the cannula fill up with fluid and the tissue swells. Without proper aftercare, inflammation can evolve into fibrosis (a hardening of the tissue) or a seroma (pocket of fluid), resulting in hard, lumpy skin at the surgical site.
    Surgical procedures can disrupt, obstruct, impair and overwhelm the lymphatic system. This can cause lymph fluid to accumulate without draining properly. After a plastic surgery procedure, swelling can occur around your incision sites and in the treated area. The lymphatic system collects excess fluid (lymphatic fluid) that drains from cells and tissues. This fluid usually carries toxins and other harmful substances away from healthy tissue. Excess lymph fluid stuck in, or around surgical sites can increase inflammation and swelling while inhibiting the healing process.

You can expect gentle post-surgical massage recovery techniques and virtually painless/minimal discomfort if there is any.
    At American Post-Ops, we DO NOT reopen incisions or drain fluid outside the body nor provide Incision Drainage (ID). This technique is (only reserved to your plastic surgeon only) out of the scope of massage therapy practice, IT’S AGAINST THE LAW  and unnecessary by the time you come to see us. Your body has mechanisms for reabsorbing and expelling the fluid.
    NO, POST OP RECOVERY MASSAGE AND AFTER CARE DOES NOT HURT: We proudly use gold standard Vodder techniques/ Klose Education and Academy of Lymphatic Studies for lymphatic drainage.  We practice Vodder Manual Lymphatic Drainage. This is a gentle technique meant to facilitate the reduction of swelling, bruising and pain.
    **Please note:  We DO NOT: Massage with negative pressure (cupping) to drain or increase lymphatic drainage during your post-op recovery stage 1-5 because it can reverse the benefits of your compression garment.  Likewise, we do not use cavitation and wood therapy for any stage 1-5 post-surgical patients  While these are great treatments for those who want body contouring without surgery, they can be devastating to your surgical outcome. These therapies can disrupt the healing process by preventing the skin from reattaching to fascia (which could cause seroma or fibrosis). Not only can cavitation cause sagging skin post-surgery, but it can also burn your skin and organs, as it’s impossible to perform properly on inflamed tissue. Wood therapy carries the risk of reopening incisions, increasing the risk of infection, delaying healing and adding  internal and external scarring.
    While cavitation, wood therapy and other types of therapies all have their place in the bodyworker’s toolbox, they should be avoided for fourth to six months to a year after surgery, depending on the surgery type and individual healing process.

As you are searching for a Post-Surgical Post-Op Therapist to provide post-op MLD for you, our tip is not to just look at the advertising or how glamorous their office is .Look for a Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist that carries credentials with some clinical, medical, post-operative training(s) and strong hand on practical experiences. Look at who they connect with, who are their mentors, sidelines, teachers, and trainers. From where did they receive their training(s) and education(s)? Ask to see their credentials. Ask if you can talk to their previous patients. Ask if they have attended any post operative CE classes.
    Did you know that general massage therapists may only get a glance “generally” of MLD without going into a deep detail of training during schooling? MLD is not taught in traditional massage schools. PS-MLD is the next advanced training of MLD. Just finding a licensed massage therapist doesn’t imply that person is qualified to provide MLD therapy for your lymphatic conditions including management of post plastic surgery procedures, side effects of cancer treatment, or lymphedema needs.
    In the State of California, one can be a Certified Massage Therapist (CMT) but to professionally provide benefits of MLD, one needs at the minimum 45-135 hours of advanced and specialized training from a LANA Recognized Schools (Lymphology Association of N. America) Program in Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage (Vodder Technique) Therapy. Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy is a specialty of massage.
    Currently there are 4 styles of Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage that are acceptable, recognized, and accredited worldwide. (Of course, respectfully, there are many other MLD new styles and techniques out there). Most of these techniques include both lectures (anatomy, physiology, pathogen, case-studies) and hands-on practice for more 40- 135 hours or more combined intensively. Anything else including squeezing method, drain method, incisional line drainage, Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage, Lymphatic Massage, Lymphatic Express, Squeezing Technique, Ultrasonic RF and Cavitation Method or whatever you may call it, IT IS NOT a technique of a Lymphatic Drainage/ Care. And they should not apply to any kind of cosmetic and orthopedic post-operative patients at any point in time during their recovery stage 1-4 because they can increase the risk of infection, fibrosis, internal formation of scarring/ adhesion, ecchymosis, interruption of blood supply and skin, more.
    Manual lymphatic drainage massage immediately after the surgery, we call it recovery stage 1 through 5 there is only application of Post-Surgical Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage (PS-MLD)  with hand technique only. No application of machinery, no oil or cream of any kind and no pushing and squeezing incision line.

As soon as you know your surgery date, try to book all your PS-MLD and Post-Surgical Recovery Massage as soon as possible. Find a qualified therapist to work with. Ask her/him lot of questions before booking.
Lot of high-end and qualified post-surgical recovery massage practitioners are booked out for months. Make sure to book all your post-op massage sessions with them as early as possible.
    PS-MLD plays an important role as a supplement to standard rehabilitation procedures after surgery because it additional benefits promote tissue relaxation, flow in blood and oxygen circulation. Post-Surgical Manual Lymphatic Drainage (PS-MLD) is considered the standard of care in recovering after plastic surgery recovery procedures including “Mommy Makeover”, BBL, facial surgery, breast lift/augmentation, liposuction and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). By activating the compromised lymphatic pathway with application of anastomosis, faja compression and foam theory, PS-MLD sessions focus on reducing swelling, bruising and pain.
The number of sessions patients need will depend on their surgery. It is recommended by plastic surgeons to have a minimum of 6-12 sessions:

         Small Procedure: 6 sessions at minimum

         Medium Procedure Combo: 8-12 sessions at minimum

         Large Procedure Combo:12-24 sessions at minimum

To receive the full benefit of Manual Lymphatic Drainage after Liposuction it is best to receive a treatment as soon as possible after the procedure. Preferrable the very next day after your surgery. Treatment can be received every day for 7 consecutive days, or every other day or every three days in the first week of post-op period.
This supplemental PS-MLD treatment is proven to work in conjunction with the supplied faja compression garment with foam theory and additional recovery instructions from your primary physician/plastic surgeon.
It’s important to remember that PS-MLD is not suggested for individuals who have any of the conditions listed below:

• A history of strokes or blood clots
• Congestive heart failure
• Current infections in the body
• Kidney or liver problems
• More,..

After surgery care is an active part of your surgery. The way you handle your aftercare can alter the end result of your surgery. Think about the help you’ll need, the time you’ll have to take off, and any special instructions you’ll need to follow.

A well-informed patient is a successful patient. We encourage patients to research and ask all of their questions to their surgeon. We suggest covering different topics such as sleeping arrangements, wound care, pain management, dietary restrictions, and post-op follow up appointments.

The best result is achieved by following your surgeon’s instructions every time. It doesn’t matter if your friend or sister had the same procedure, only follow your doctor’s advice. Never skip a post-op appointment or self-medicate. Trust in the expert hands of your doctor, who will surely be more than happy to help!

We recommend you have a detailed conversation with your surgeon about your after surgery care, however, you can start preparing yourself by following these useful tips:

• Enlist help before you actually need it: Even simple procedures like an eyelid lift or liposuction, will require you to rest and change your routine. At first, you’ll need help with the simplest tasks like changing your clothes, driving, cooking, and cleaning. As you prepare for your surgery, take a moment to get your support system ready and ask a close friend or relative to stay home with you for the first couple of days post-op.

• Go to all of your post-op appointments: In order to monitor your progress and overall health, you need to go to all of your post-op appointments. Even if you don’t have sutures that need removing or drains that need emptying, don’t skip this essential component of your recovery.

• Follow your doctor’s instructions: We can never stress this enough: your needs as a recovering patient are unique to you and your overall health. Your surgeon will adapt post-operative instructions and send you home ready to rest. If you have doubts about any of these instructions, do not hesitate to ask.

• Expect to take time off of work: Depending on the procedure you’re having and the type of work you do, you’ll need to take anywhere between 7 to 14 days off. Ask your surgeon about how long you’ll need so you can plan accordingly. Overexerting yourself before you’re healed can be dangerous.

• Prepare for a healthy lifestyle: Eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water will go a long way to helping your body heal faster. Staying hydrated is key to helping your body replenish fluids and decrease swelling. Nutritious foods low in sodium and refined sugar will increase your body’s strength.

• Avoid overexertion but try to remain active: Your surgeon will be the only one qualified to tell you when you can go back to exercising. However, unless otherwise instructed, you should try to take walks throughout the day in order to help circulation and swelling. You can slowly progress to taking brisk walks, just ask your doctor when.

• Trust your doctor to manage your pain: It’s normal to feel swollen and uncomfortable right after your surgery, but trust your doctor to help you with pain management. Always ask if taking OTC pain medications is ok.

• Find a post-operative massage therapist: After liposuction or plastic surgical procedures, your plastic surgeon may recommend you schedule a follow-up appointment to undergo Post-Surgical Manual Lymphatic Drainage (PS-MLD), which has been known to assist in the recovery process. Although liposuction is meant to remove pesky fat from various areas of the body, it’s still an invasive procedure that disrupts a variety of physiological functions.