For clients facing surgery, lymphatic drainage offers
many benefits. For optimal results, it is recommended
that lymphatic drainage be applied for one or two sessions
prior to surgery. This process drains toxins and stimulates
the immune system and stimulates calmness in the nervous
system. It is important to drain and stimulate the lymphatic
system before it is inhibited due to the trauma and
the medication used in surgery. It is much more arduous
to drain the lymphatic system for the first time post-surgically.
Surgeons also find it easier to make the incision through
clean, well-drained tissue, particularly for any type
of aesthetic surgery.
Lymphatic drainage can be applied as soon as 24 hours
after surgery - as long as there are no contraindications
- with the approval of the physician. Besides the most
significant benefit of applying LDT post-surgically,
prevention and alleviation of edema, it also helps prevent
infection by releasing toxins and macromolecules. While
stimulating local immunity, it can alleviate spasms
and pain by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous
system, and the detoxification properties are particularly
useful to remove medication and counteract the effects
of immobilization in bed.
Modalities Used
Manual Lymphatic Drainage - Very light pressure stimulates
the lymphatic system to increase circulation, assist
removal of wastes, reduce edema and assist recovery
Subdermal Therapy - A non-invasive therapeutic massage
that combines intermittent suction to mobilize connective
tissue, and gentle rolling action to increase local
circulation
Ultrasound stimulus is non-invasive and very safe to
administer. Ultrasound waves provide mild heat to increase
circulation, break down scar tissue and promote healing.
5-10 minutes may be used on fibrous or hardened areas
following liposuction or to diminish scar tissue from
a previous surgery or wound.
Microcurrent is a feather-like current, which causes
healthy electrical charges at the cellular level, increasing
cellular activity. It causes cells to dump toxins and
increase circulation and lymph flow, thereby reducing
edema.
Scheduling Sessions
3 to 5 sessions is recommended following surgeries
to reduce swelling and to help alleviate the hard, fibrous
tissues, which may appear following liposuction. Commonly,
the sessions begin approximately 2 weeks following the
procedure and are scheduled within a 2-3 week time period.
Pre-Surgery: One or two sessions are recommended using
Subdermal Therapy for liposuction patients and one or
two 30-minute Lymphatic Drainage sessions for facial
procedures to prepare tissues, easing recovery. Healthy
eating habits and restricted foods are discussed.
Post-Surgery: All patients heal differently. On average
most facial surgeries require 3-5 sessions and most
liposuction procedures require 5-7 sessions. Age, lifestyle
and overall health are contributing factors to your
healing process. Some patients only need 3 sessions
and some will need up to 10 sessions if there were complications
or if areas are extremely congested. Following are common
guidelines used for the different time frames following
surgery:
Weeks 1-3: Lymphatic Therapy may combine with microcurrent
to reduce swelling and assist healing.
Weeks 3-8: Lymphatic Therapy may be combined with ultrasound
and microcurrent to reduce scar tissue formation, decrease
swelling and assist recovery.
8+ weeks: Subdermal Therapy may be included in treatment
if fibrous tissues have formed from a procedure.
