Manual lymphatic drainage is one of the most important post-operative cares, This is essential for a good recovery.
This technique helps to reduce healing time and achieve good results, and is essential at this stage.
Many body and facial plastic surgeries are indicated for lymphatic drainage, from the breast augmentation, mastopexy, lipoabdominoplasty, liposuction, among others.
Find out how this massage works, why it is recommended after plastic surgery and what benefits it brings.
Lymphatic drainage: what is it?
The post-operative period is one of the most important phases of plastic surgery. It is almost as important as the surgery itself. It is the care taken during this stage that helps to achieve the desired results.
The recovery time from plastic surgery, whatever it may be, varies according to each patient's organism, but also reflects the care taken after the procedure.
Lymphatic drainage plays an essential role in the post-operative phase of plastic surgery. It can be described as a massage technique that helps eliminate excess fluids and toxins from the human body via the lymphatic system.
In other words, in simpler terms, this massage directs body fluids to the lymph nodes. These liquids are then redirected into the blood, filtered by the kidneys, and ultimately expelled by the body through urine.
Lymphatic drainage massage should be carried out using light, smooth, rhythmic and precise manual manoeuvres. The movements must follow the path of the superficial lymphatic system.
Its main function is to stimulate the lymphatic system to work more quickly and efficiently, speeding up the process of getting rid of fluids and other toxins that the body accumulates after surgery.
Lymphatic drainage also leads to increased oxygenation of the tissues, helping the process of cell renewal, i.e. healing.
Why is it so important?
Plastic surgery, like any surgery, causes damage to the body. When the body undergoes internal intervention, it accumulates blood, saline solution and other secretions, causing fluid retention, which accumulates between the cells, especially in the area that has been intervened on. These fluids have to be eliminated.
However, the body can accumulate more fluid than it is able to drain. As a result, in addition to pain, haematomas, vessel damage, skin sensitivity and swelling or oedema can occur.
Swelling occurs when the body accumulates more fluids than it can eliminate. At this point, lymphatic drainage plays an essential role.
Lymphatic drainage: benefits
To summarise, the benefits of lymphatic drainage are as follows:
- Reduces fluid retention;
- Regenerates tissues and facilitates healing;
- Prevents bruising and swelling;
- Activates the immune system, strengthening immunity;
- Improves blood circulation;
- Eliminates body toxins and nourishes tissues;
- Boosts anti-inflammatory action;
- Prevents and treats fibrosis;
- Relieves pain;
- Fights cellulite;
- Moisturises the skin;
- Boosts results.
All this speeds up the patient's recovery, leading to a quicker recovery period.
Lymphatic drainage massages after plastic surgery are also a time for relaxation, which is important for patients' physical and emotional health and well-being.
Essential steps for the effectiveness of the technique
It is essential to follow the doctor's recommendations about when lymphatic drainage treatment should begin and the number of sessions indicated.
Your surgeon will give you the recovery plan and care adapted to you and your personal characteristics.
The patient must undergo a period of rest before starting the sessions.
However, for most procedures and cases, these massages should be started during the first week after surgery, in principle after 3 to 5 days.
Lymphatic drainage can be manual or mechanical. Although the benefits of both are similar, lymphatic drainage after plastic surgery must be carried out manually, so that the professional can work better on the most affected areas.
This must be carried out by duly qualified professionals, namely physiotherapists specialising in post-operative drainage, They are the only ones who know which movements to make and which points to touch, respecting the physiology of the lymphatic system.
This point is more important than it might seem: if poorly performed, lymphatic drainage can jeopardise the entire recovery process, as it delays tissue healing and the release of toxins and fluids.
COUNCIL:
During the post-operative phase, and specifically after each manual lymphatic drainage session, it is advisable to drink water, as it favours the elimination of liquids.
Lymphatic drainage and different plastic surgeries
Lymphatic drainage massages are recommended after all types of cosmetic surgery on the body, from breast augmentation, mastopexy, breast reduction, liposuction, abdominoplasty, lipoabdominoplasty or mommy makeover, which combines different procedures. Even some facial surgeries - such as facelift and rhinoplasty - are also indicated for drainage.
For example, during the regeneration process of a breast augmentation, a greater supply of nutrients and oxygen to the operated area becomes necessary, resulting in increased circulation and oedema.
During this phase, which should last a few weeks, there may be swelling, a feeling of heaviness or tightness in the breast area. In this case, these massage sessions are extremely important, as they help the body to eliminate excess fluids, which are responsible for post-operative swelling.
Also in the case of buttock augmentation, for example, lymphatic drainage sessions are essential to avoid fibrosis and irregularities.
Note: Always seek advice from your surgeon after your plastic surgery and find out which lymphatic drainage massage plan is best for you.
