Lymphatic Drainage is an undervalued treatment that should be part part of everyone’s health regimen.
As a former massage therapist I received requests from many clients who had undergone various types of minor surgeries, and feel the need to address post-operative care as it relates to massage and lymphatic drainage. I strongly feel that lymphatic drainage is an essential treatment for both pre- and post-operation patients.
During my own post-operative and recovery, and pre-operative preparation for a heart ablation for AFIB that I had no Idea had manifested, lymphatic drainage helped me to heal faster and come out of the anesthesia hangover more quickly.
Here is my number one (and only!) rule:
- Don’t wait too long.
I understand- it can be difficult to find certified lymphatic drainage therapists. The importance of caring for your lymphatic system both before and after any surgery (including lyposuction) cannot be overstated. In waiting far too long before coming in for a treatment- it is possible to have so much post-op swelling that one risks possible damage to lymphatic vessels. This ultimately leads to longer recovery time because more treatments are needed.
The lymphatic system is complex. It has areas of free exchange of fluid with the body, but is also comprised of hair-thin specialized vessels, lymphatic node clusters, and one-way valves. Those valves are mostly located in the extremities and close to the surface of the skin.
This system is a part of your immune system; it bathes every single cell in your body with fresh healthy lymphatic fluid and takes away the waste products of these cells to be cleaned. Every single cell, every single day!
If this system stops working, your cells start to die and your body becomes a toxic, dirty mess of cell and organ debris. Think of the lymphatic system as the street cleaners of your body- when the trash isn’t taken out, it collects in corners and hinders proper function. We want the street cleaners to be able to do their job.
The protocol I suggest is as follows:
BEFORE YOUR SURGERY/PROCEDURE:
Prepare before your procedure! Start drinking plenty of water- at least 8 glasses a day. Anywhere from 24 to 48 hours before your procedure, have a full body lymphatic drainage massage done on the front and back. A full session will include draining the liver, the major axillary and inguinal nodes, and directing it to the lymphatic duct to be distributed for cleaning. This prepares your body by giving it a clean starting point- you should need less anesthetic for your procedure, and your liver will be able to rid your body of the toxic effects of the anesthetic faster.
AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE OR SURGERY:
Depending on the severity of you procedure, try to get your first lymphatic drainage session within 72 hours. Even if you cannot lay on your stomach, it is still possible to get a great deal of work done that will provide relief of any congestion and start to bring down some of the swelling. It is absolutely necessary to drink water after each of the lymph drainage sessions to help flush the congestion from your system.
A suggested plan is to have at least 4 to 5 appointments of at least 45 minutes spaced no more that a week apart. In some cases, it may be necessary to come in twice for the first week. You should see improvements within the first 24 hours. A good therapist will make any alternative suggestions and tailor the lymph work for your specific circumstance.