Cosmetic surgery is becoming more and more common — 18 million cosmetic surgeries were performed in 2018. If you plan to undergo cosmetic surgery or already have, you probably want a smooth and quick recovery.
The practice of Anthony N. Dardano, located in Boca Raton, Florida, offers lymphatic massage and other post-operative care to help you heal safely. Here we explain the details of a lymphatic massage and why you might consider it.
How your lymph nodes are affected by surgery
Your heart pumps blood continuously through your blood vessels. It depends on smooth muscles to transport liquid to the lymph vessels.
Cosmetic surgery generally involves nips and tucks. Your body often responds to these changes by swelling, inflammation, and lymphedema — the buildup of fluid in soft tissues when the lymph system is blocked.
Although lymphedema is very common after surgery, it can be painful, and if it’s not treated, it could lead to more complicated health concerns like fibrosis or serum.
Lymphatic massage
Lymphatic massage is one of the best ways to help your body heal after undergoing cosmetic surgery. Anthony N. Dardano uses lymphatic massages to stimulate the lymphatic system, reduce swelling, and clear out the toxins from your body. It can be incredibly useful in healing from surgeries like:
- Breast augmentation
- Liposuction
- Abdominoplasty
- Facelift
Dr. Dardano doesn’t just focus on the area that’s affected but instead treats the whole body. The entire lymphatic system, aside from the head, right chest, right leg, and right arm, all drain at the left side of your chest.
Using very light pressure, Dr. Dardano applies rhythmic pressure to areas like the arm, armpits, stomach, back, legs, and chest. The massage generally lasts about 30-45 minutes, and many patients feel rejuvenated after.
Benefits
A lymphatic massage can help you get the best results from your surgery. Here are some of the other benefits you can expect:
- Reduce inflammation
- Improve circulation
- Reduce bruising
- Soften scar tissue
- Speed up healing
- Promote relaxation
You don’t have to undergo cosmetic surgery to experience the benefits of a lymphatic massage. People are incorporating this into their regular health and wellness routines.
After your massage
The healing from a lymphatic massage extends after you leave our office. Here are a couple of tips to ensure you optimize your health and promote healing.
Drink plenty of water
Massages can be dehydrating, so it’s best to replenish your body with water. Drink 2-4 glasses of water after your massage to help properly flush out your lymphatic system. Drinking water helps flush your kidneys which are responsible for getting rid of toxins.
Wear loose clothing
Wearing loose clothing after a lymphatic massage can help promote lymph flow. This is best to make sure your lymph vessels can properly circulate.
Be careful what you consume
Avoid alcohol for 24 hours and avoid caffeinated drinks. A light diet with raw, whole foods is best to boost lymphatic function and remove waste. Low sodium diets are best for a healthy and functioning lymphatic system.
Depending on how far you are in the recovery process, Dr. Dardano may suggest you perform light exercise. Activities like walking encourage muscle contraction and lymph flow.
Rest
You might feel relaxed and tired after your massage. Listen to your body and do nothing besides laying and relaxing your muscles. This can regulate your blood pressure and promote healing.
Incorporate a lymphatic massage into your post-operative care today. Call 561-202-1248 to schedule your massage or book online.
FAQs
Lymphatic massage is one of the best ways to help your body heal after undergoing cosmetic surgery. Anthony N. Dardano uses lymphatic massages to stimulate the lymphatic system, reduce swelling, and clear out the toxins from your body.
How many lymphatic massages do you need after surgery? ›
How often will I need Lymphatic Drainage Massages? The first week we suggested one session daily or every other day, as it helps significantly with the inflammation and the elimination of fluids. The second week, every other day, followed by maintenance one per month for the next 5-6 months for optimal results.
Do you undress for lymphatic drainage massage? ›
Once you and your therapist go through all the details and you get a good explaination of what will be happening during the manual lymphatic drainage, and which areas of the body you receive your treatment on, you will be asked to undress. You will keep your underwear on and lie on the massage table.
What are the do's and don'ts after lymphatic massage? ›
Do: Rest and relax as much as possible in the hours following the massage to allow the body to continue to process and eliminate waste products. Don't: Take hot baths or use saunas for the first 24 hours after the massage, as the heat can cause the blood vessels to dilate and impede the flow of lymph fluid.
Do you poop after lymphatic massage? ›
Possible side effects of lymphatic drainage massage can include: Increased urination/bowel movements: after the massage, the lymph waste will need to be removed from the body. This leads to an increase in urination and bowel movements, as these are the methods the body uses to eliminate lymph waste from the body.
Are lymphatic massages necessary after plastic surgery? ›
Plastic surgeons often recommend these massages after any procedures that cause swelling as a side effect. Patients who get plastic surgery typically start their lymphatic massages about two weeks after their surgery. About three to five massages per week are often recommended.
How many lymphatic massages after facelift? ›
General postoperative manual lymphatic massage recommendations consist of manual lymphatic massage 2 to 3 times per week during the initial 3 to 4 weeks of recovery to be performed by a certified lymphedema therapist or a licensed massage therapist who have undergone some degree of lymphedema training and are often ...
How long do you pee after lymphatic massage? ›
What to expect? It is quite normal to get a detox effect, you may pass a lot of urine in the 24-48 hours post treatment which is coming from fluid that has been retained in the tissues.
What comes out of your body during lymphatic drainage massage? ›
Lymphatic drainage massage is a form of gentle massage that encourages the drainage of lymph nodes and the movement of lymph fluids around the body. It can help relieve symptoms of lymphedema. The fluid in the lymphatic system helps remove waste and toxins from body tissues.
What is the disadvantage of lymphatic massage? ›
Few people have negative reactions to lymphatic drainage massage. Some people, however, complain of headaches, nausea and fatigue. When that happens, you should ask your healthcare provider about managing your side effects.
The classical appearance on inspection is of milky white urine, which is caused by a fistulous communication between the lymphatic system and the urinary tract.
Do you lose weight after lymphatic drainage massage? ›
The treatment helps decrease any swelling and water retention and also improve cellulite appearance. Lymphatic drainage also improves circulation, relaxes the body and combats localized fat. Many clients report a slimmer waist and loss of excess water weight after their massage.
Why do I feel sick after lymphatic drainage massage? ›
What can happen at times is what is coined the "detox flu". Some folks are just more sensitive to the detox process and it may make you feel crummy. Now when I say this, the crumminess last less than 24 hours. You could experience flue-like symptoms like nausea, headaches, achiness, swollen lymph nodes and fever.
Is it common to poop after a massage? ›
Massage stimulates peristalsis (wavelike contractions that moves food through the intestines), decreases bowel transit time and increases the frequency of bowel movements.
Where does lymphatic waste go? ›
It removes waste products – the lymphatic system carries destroyed bacteria and other waste products back into the bloodstream. The liver and kidneys remove these from the blood. The body then gets rid of this waste when you pass urine (pee) or stools (poo).
How many lymphatic massages does it take to see results? ›
A general recommendation is to have three to five massage treatments, but some patients may experience benefits from as few as one to two treatments. Your cosmetic surgeon can advise you as to whether lymphatic massage will benefit you following your liposuction or other surgical procedure.
How many sessions of lymphatic drainage massage are needed? ›
Results are noticeable are just one session, however for detoxing we recommend at least once a month. For pregnancy or post partum, we recommend once a week or every other week. For water retention, weight loss and cellulite, metabolism, circulation and digestion issues, it is recommended every week.
How many times should you do lymphatic massage? ›
For Active Individuals: Monthly sessions might suffice to maintain a healthy lymphatic flow. For Those With a Less Clean Diet: Consider more frequent sessions to help detoxify the body. Post-Surgery or Injury Recovery: Weekly sessions can be beneficial in reducing swelling and aiding recovery.
How can I speed up my lymphatic drainage after surgery? ›
There are other ways to pamper your lymphatic system, too, including:
- Deep breathing. Breathing slowly and deeply can help move fluid through the lymph vessels and nodes. ...
- Physical activity. Exercise helps move fluid throughout the body. ...
- Dry brushing. ...
- Swimming. ...
- Tap your skin.
