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Post Op Care

For New Post Op Clients:

I offer a comprehensive first visit that includes a thorough consultation, recommended treatment plan, and assistance with garment fitting & accessories in addition to your initial session. Your New Client Post Op Lymphatic Massage is at a higher price point to accommodate the extra time necessary to establish care. Please expect to spend about 2 hours together, with 60-90 minutes of table time.

How do you know when it’s time to start your post op massages? Ask your surgeon!  Some surgeons recommend starting the day after surgery, some recommend waiting 6 weeks or more.

It is important to keep in mind that as a massage therapist, I cannot legally or safely:

  • Help you in and out of your compression garment(s)
  • Help you on or off of the massage table
  • Help you use the restroom

While you are welcome to bring a caretaker to your appointment for assistance,  I recommend waiting until you are able to do these tasks on your own before starting your post op treatments with me.  If your surgeon does not have a recommendation for when to start, I suggest scheduling your first appointment between three and seven days after your procedure, knowing that you are welcome to call and reschedule if you do not feel ready when the day comes.

Vodder Method Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Vodder Method Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is now recommended by the American Board of Plastic Surgery to assist with recovery and achieving optimal results after your procedure! This is an extremely gentle technique used to stimulate the lymphatic system — reducing swelling, minimizing pain, and preventing fibrosis.

There are many methods of post-op massage. Vodder MLD is the clinical approach, with decades of medical research proving its safety and efficacy. The pressure can be described as about the weight of a coin, and it can be hard to believe that such gentle touch can yield such powerful results. Whereas firm, vigorous massage increases blood flow to the area, Vodder MLD manipulates the lymphatic vessels just under the skin, decreasing fluid build up in the area, without putting additional pressure on the body. You may have experienced other forms of post-op care at your surgery center or from another provider, or maybe you have seen the aggressive, body sculpting post-op massages on social media. I have no authority to say that this is wrong or bad, but this is not what I provide at my clinic, unless I have clear, signed instructions from your surgery center or doctor. For a minimum of 10-14 days after your surgery date, I exclusively provide Vodder MLD and other very gentle therapeutic techniques that work with your body’s natural healing functions, and do not risk additional pain, swelling, or damage to your incisions.

Consistency is key in order to benefit from your post-op manual lymphatic drainage. Just like eating healthy, doing your exercises and wearing your compression garments: doing it once is great! But you will really only see a difference in your recovery with consistent, ongoing care.

Treatment Plan

This is an outline of my typical treatment plan for post-op client, assuming a normal, healthy recovery with no complications or signs of infection. All procedures and recovery journeys are different, and more complex surgeries involving muscle repair will have a longer treatment timeline than exclusively liposuction. I am always happy to receive manual therapy recommendations from your doctor or surgery team!

  • Pre-Surgery: All forms of massage and lymphatic care can help optimize your body for surgery and a faster recovery!
  • 0-2 weeks: EXCLUSIVELY Vodder Manual Lymphatic Drainage, ideally 2-3x per week to reduce pain and prevent fibrosis. There is typically numbness after surgery due to damaged neural pathways from incisions, and this technique is so gentle, I often get feedback from the client that they barely feel anything at all. The technique works exclusively with the superficial lymphatic pathways, directing excess fluid away from your incisions to reduce swelling and promote healthy scar formation. It is NOT painful — you will feel relaxed and pampered during your treatment.
  • 2-4 weeks: Primarily Vodder MLD, but we begin to integrate some gentle massage to deeper layers of the body to smooth out any dense swelling. Warm stones, lymphatic cupping and other tools may be applied. Ideally 2x per week.
  • 4-6 weeks: Primarily Vodder MLD, with some additional massage modalities and option for deeper, intentional work within your comfort level. Direct treatment of any dense swelling or fibrosis with various techniques. Ideally 1-2x per week.
  • 6-12 weeks: A combination of Vodder MLD with other massage modalities depending on your case, presentation, and comfort level. Beginning to integrate muscle massage and range of motion as you return to exercise and other activities. VIsits recommended once every one or two weeks, unless there is fibrosis or continued substantial swelling.
  • 3-6 months: Regular Vodder MLD and other massage techniques will continue to help with swelling and healthy scar formation. This stage is entirely case-by-case. If you did not receive your lymphatic care in your early phases of healing, you may have some fibrosis and dense scarring that may more require frequent, consistent treatment. If you had a healthy recovery and feel completely back to normal, you may opt to reduce frequency. At 3-6+ months, as long as there are no complications, you may safely receive all modalities of massage including the Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage body sculpting massage, which may enhance your results.

I realize that frequent care is not achievable for everyone due to cost and scheduling. Some care is better than no care! I do my best to provide at-home tips for you to help in your recovery. I do not advise on diet or exercise, which is a huge component of your journey.. Please consult your surgery center, a post-op RNP, PT or CLT for additional support. I am happy to receive instructions from your other care providers for your manual lymphatic drainage and massages.

Discounted package pricing may be available for ongoing treatment.

What is even more beneficial to your cosmetic surgery recovery than post-op massage is compression! I am proud to be partnered with Marena to help you find a comfortable, properly fitted, medical grade compression garment. Click here to learn more about post-op garments.

There are contraindications for post op massage and MLD:

  • Undiagnosed swelling in one leg or ankle is a DVT symptom. Your risk of DVT increases after surgery. Please call your doctor, or go to the ER or urgent care immediately if you experience single lower leg swelling!
  • Any signs of infection
  • Current illness

I have been certified in Vodder MLD and post-op massage since February 2024. After hundreds of hours of courses and research, I have found that nothing compares to hands-on experience in the field, and my lower price point for post-op services is a reflection of my level of expertise. Every body and every surgery is different, and I learn so much with every client. I have been a licensed massage therapist since 2010, and adhere to all state board guidelines as a healthcare practitioner. Your safety is more important to me than your satisfaction —- if you are requesting a treatment or presenting with a situation I am not trained in or comfortable with, I will refer out and/or require instructions from your surgery team.

Don’t underestimate the power of a pre-op lymphatic massage! Prepare your lymphatic system for the incoming swelling, and ease the stress and anxiety leading up to your surgery. By establishing care with a pre-op visit, you are welcome to take advantage of standard rates for your first post-op session. Your pre-op session will serve as a consultation and help you know what to expect during various stages of your post-op treatments. Click here to book lymphatic massage now!

Frequently Asked Questions:

It is a common misconception that lymphatic massage will make you sick. Just like any massage, drinking a lot of water for the next 24 hours will help avoid that hangover feeling by rehydrating the tissue. I strongly recommend avoiding alcohol and caffeine for 24 hours before and after MLD or lymphatic massage, and drinking extra water if you do partake. If you are unknowingly carrying a virus or infection that has not presented any symptoms yet, lymphatic bodywork will expedite this process as the lymph nodes will trigger the immune response. If you lead a more stagnant lifestyle and/or eat a lot of sugary, processed foods, you may suffer from some “detox” symptoms after your massage. Drinking lots of water will help with this, and it will be less of a concern the more you receive lymphatic treatments and work to improve your lymphatic health.

NO, if you are currently ill, lymphatic massage will only make you feel worse. Your lymphatic system is already working very hard, and putting more pressure on your body with massage will not be helpful. It is also possible to spread infection throughout the body with massage. However, if you are still feeling congested due to an old illness or allergies, facial MLD can help take pressure off of the sinuses and help things move along. Please do not schedule if you are currently contagious.

That is completely up to your preferences and goals. Most clients will not notice a visual difference after MLD, but consistent treatment will also help with digestion and fluid retention over time. If you are recovering from an injury or surgery, I will only treat with MLD.

You can wear whatever you want! You may like to wear comfy clothes that aren’t too fussy to get on and off. You will dress down and get in between the sheets on my massage table for your treatment (I will leave the room for you to undress and settle in). Within your comfort level, I like access to as much skin as possible to provide the most effective treatment. You are welcome to leave undergarments on, or wear the disposable undergarments I provide, but either way, breasts and genitals will be covered at all times with proper draping. I also provide robes and slippers, as it is very common to need to use the restroom during lymphatic treatments.

You can plan on feeling incredibly relaxed and a little bit lighter! As mentioned above, you may have some “detox” symptoms that can present as a minor hangover or a little tickle in the throat. This is not very common as long as you are hydrated, and should subside within a few hours with lots of water. Expect increased urination and bowel movements over the next 48 hours. For certain chronic conditions like POTS and migraines, it is incredibly hard to predict if you will feel amazing after your session, feel worse after your session due to the increased pressure on your system, or not notice much of a difference in your condition.

I recommend scheduling your Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage Massage 1-2 days before your big event for best visual results. You can also book a series of weekly treatments 3-6 weeks before your big event, and each session will build off of the last for better results. If you have never received a Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage Massage before, I recommend booking at least 2 days before your big event, as though it’s unlikely, you may react with some detox symptoms.