Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) massage is frequently recommended by plastic surgeons during the recovery phase following cosmetic liposuction. This specialized form of massage is generally believed to decrease recovery time and improve results, by reducing post-surgical swelling and fibrosis (scar tissue formation).

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SIDE-EFFECTS OF LIPOSUCTION CAN VARY PERSON-TO-PERSON AND SO INDIVIDUAL POST-OPERATIVE NEEDS VARY

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For some patients, standard interventions will suffice, recovery will be fast, and aesthetic outcomes optimal. Unfortunately, not every patient will have this experience. The post-surgical recovery process varies person-to-person according to a variety of factors including the type and extent of liposuction, age, health and physical activity levels, skin characteristics, smoking, complications such as infection, and so on.

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Variable side effects include:

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Scarring

Inflammation and repair processes bring immune cells to the area to help clean out dead tissue and waste, and new connective tissue is laid down to help knit the tissue back together. When the accumulation of connective tissue is significant (known as ‘fibrosis’ or scarring) this process thickens the tissue and decreases its pliability. Excessive fibrosis may be felt by hand, may restrict motion or produce feelings of tightness, and may even be visually noticeable. Scarring will naturally diminish with time as the tissue gradually remodels itself, but this process can be long and some scarring is likely to be permanent.

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Prolonged swelling or swelling pockets

In general, swelling may be greater than necessary if compression garments are removed too early, not applied properly or consistently, or not sized appropriately. Excessive fluid presence or localized pockets of fluid may slow recovery and/or make the results less aesthetically optimal by encouraging uneven healing and fibrosis. Uncontrolled swelling could potentially create other complications such as small pockets of fluid becoming trapped (called a ‘seroma’), inflammation, and infection.

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Surgeons often recommend that their patients supplement their recovery with manual lymphatic drainage as early as possible, ideally within the first few days post-surgery. The idea behind this recommendation is that manual lymphatic drainage could potentially help prevent and alleviate the build-up of fluid and formation of scar tissue.