Why You’ll Need a Lymphatic Massage After Surgery

When you undergo any cosmetic surgery — whether it’s liposuction or breast augmentation, one of the major postoperative side effects is swelling. This swelling can be uncomfortable, slow the healing process, and increase your risk of scarring. 

Thankfully, getting a post-op care package from Martha Ayewah, DO, at Ayewah Aesthetics can reduce swelling and recovery while increasing your comfort. One vital item included in these post-op care packages is a lymphatic massage. 

Lymphatic massages kick your body’s healing abilities into high gear. So, in this month’s blog, we review what you need to know about this all-important procedure that can make your cosmetic surgery recovery as smooth as possible.

Explaining lymphatic massage

The fluid in your lymphatic system — called lymph — removes waste and other toxins from your bloodstream. However, certain health conditions or medical treatments can cause a buildup of the lymph and lead to swelling since the lymph fluid can’t drain and flow properly. A lymphatic massage works by massaging areas that aren’t swollen to provide a place for the congested fluid to go. 

This massage technique has been around for years and helps those with a condition known as lymphedema, which usually develops after surgery and involves the lymph nodes. However, in more recent years, it’s been found to be effective at helping with cosmetic surgery postoperative care. 

How lymphatic massage helps with cosmetic surgery recovery 

Excess swelling can make your recovery from cosmetic surgery incredibly uncomfortable. That’s why following a strict postoperative regime is so important, and this regime should include regular lymphatic massages. 

The postoperative period of cosmetic surgery is a crucial stage since this is when you start seeing your results. The better you take care of your body after cosmetic surgery, the better your results and the sooner you see them. 

Swelling after cosmetic surgery can take up to six months to resolve, but regularly getting a lymphatic massage post-surgery can reduce this timeline significantly by flushing out the excess fluid. It can also improve blood flow, facilitate more effective healing, and reduce your risk of developing thick scar tissue (fibrosis). 

What to expect from a lymphatic massage

We highly recommend getting lymphatic massages from our team at Ayewah Aesthetics since seeing those specially trained in this massage technique can help you get the best results. 

Your massage therapist follows a particular sequence and uses a series of gliding, cupping, stretching, and compression motions. We can encourage better fluid flow through your nodes by starting at major lymph drain sites, such as your neck and arms, to ensure it isn’t stuck anywhere.

If you’re receiving cosmetic surgery soon, we encourage you to set up a lymphatic massage schedule to be ready for a successful recovery. You can schedule an appointment by calling our office in the Midtown West Neighborhood of New York City, New York, or by booking online today.