Manual Lymphatic Drainage
for Post Operative Care
Why Lymphatic Massage Is Important After Surgery
Post-surgical lymphatic massage is crucial since it helps speed up recovery. The most common side effect of surgery is swelling. It is a normal inflammatory response of the healing process whereby fluid rushes to the operated area to nourish its white blood cells. Excessive swelling can lead to prolonged healing, increased pain, and infection and may affect scar formation (lumpy area) and decreased range of motion.
Lymphatic massage prevents fluid buildup after surgery and flushes out unwanted cellular debris and excess fluid at a fast rate. This helps reduce pain, bruising, swelling, and prevents fibrosis (scar tissue development beneath the skin). It also has a calming effect on the nervous system, allowing the body to activate its natural healing mechanism.
Lymphatic massage drainage is gentle, and you can receive it within days of surgery. The frequency of the massages will depend on the surgery and the patient’s condition.
Multiple consecutive treatments (massages every two to three days) are recommended for best results in the first two weeks after surgery. The treatments can decrease in frequency from then on. It is never too late to have a post-operative massage; you can have them even after a month after surgery, providing you have no infections.
Lymphatic drainage massage benefits for pre and post-surgery include:
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Reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation
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Accelerate the disappearance of bruising
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It helps get rid of any anesthesia or medication left in the body
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Physical and mental relaxation
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Improve healing and prevent subcutaneous fibrosis
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Accelerated lymphatic flow
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Reduced water retention
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Healthy immune system
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Help prevent infection after surgery
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Improve body shape and contour
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Transport and removal of stagnant fluids
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Assist healthy scar formation
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Decrease patient’s recovery time
The Effects of Surgery On Your Body
When you undergo surgery, it causes shock to your body for some time, leaving your body with the side effects of surgery. This is a normal part of the healing process. A lymphatic massage helps alleviate the side effects, leading to better outcomes. Your surgeon will give you the green light when you can begin your lymphatic massages. Common side effects of surgery may include:
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Pain
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Fatigue
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Bruising
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Swelling
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Numbness
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Water retention