Lymphatic Drainage Massage After Plastic Surgery

Do you love nothing more than getting a massage?

Well, here’s the good news. If you decide to have a plastic surgery procedure, one of the best things you can do during recovery is to get a massage. A lymphatic drainage massage, to be specific.

It may sound a bit clinical, but it feels nice. And getting the lymph moving is crucial to relieving swelling.

The 411 on the Lymphatic System

If you’re unfamiliar with the lymphatic system, think of it as your body’s sewer system. That may not conjure up the most… savory image, but it’s pretty accurate.

When your cardiovascular system sends blood to the organs and tissues, there’s fluid that “leaks” out of the blood vessels. This is the known as the lymph. The objective of the lymphatic system is to collect that lymph and return it to the heart through a network of special lymphatic vessels and nodes.

The lymphatic system is also a key player in the absorption of fats in the the intestine. Furthermore, to boost the functioning of the body’s immune response, the lymph nodes monitor the amount of lymph in the body and then produce cells and antibodies to protect against disease and infection.

And lymphatic organs such as the thymus and spleen monitor the blood to detect and then address any pathogens that might appear.

When the lymphatic system is disturbed and is unable to effectively collect the lymph, it most commonly collects in the legs and arms; causing them to swell. When this swelling lasts longer than three months, it’s known as lymphedema.

For all the beneficial outcomes of plastic surgery, lymphedema is one of the potential negative side effects. Fortunately, it can be reduced and relieved with lymphatic drainage massage.

What Is Lymphatic Drainage Massage?

Lymphatic drainage massage is also known as manual lymphatic drainage. And no, it’s not the deep tissue massage you may normally enjoy with your favorite massage therapist. Lymphatic drainage massage is much gentler. And its primary objective is to relieve patients of painful swelling in the arms, legs, or other parts of the body.

Using special lymphatic drainage massage techniques, a massage therapist trained in this modality is able to move lymph that’s collected in the tissues and direct it to your lymph nodes. This eases swelling.

A lymphatic drainage massage is like resetting the lymphatic system to get lymph moving through the body again in the way it’s intended. As such, patients experience more efficient post-surgical healing and less scar formation as a result of these boosted healing responses.

They also benefit from reduced fluid retention and metabolic waste, increased relaxation, and improved skin quality for a more youthful glow.

As such, a lymphatic drainage massage isn’t a luxury at the spa that you need to justify. It’s a necessity that’ll make your recovery go all the more smoothly.

Considering Plastic Surgery?

If you’re ready to increase your self-confidence through liposuction, a mommy makeover, or any number of other procedures, you can move forward knowing there are healing benefits from lymphatic drainage massage during recovery.

So contact us today to talk further about your desired procedure. You’ll receive all of the information you need during your free consultation so you can take the next step to changing your life.