If you have cosmetic surgery booked, one of the first questions you will probably ask us is when you can start your lymphatic drainage. It is a good question to ask early, because the answer affects how you plan the first few weeks of your recovery.
Our guidance is simple: post-operative lymphatic drainage massage can generally begin from three days after surgery, providing you have been cleared for treatment by your surgeon and there are no complications or contraindications.
That one sentence has three parts, and each of them matters. Here is what they mean in practice.
The three-day guideline
Three days after surgery is the point from which we can generally start your post-operative lymphatic drainage. It is a starting guideline, not a deadline you have to hit.
Following surgery, your body will naturally experience swelling and an accumulation of excess fluid. Specialist post-operative lymphatic drainage massage is designed to support your body as it heals and help you through the different stages of your recovery. That is why we like to have your first appointment ready to go from the early days, as long as everything else is in place.
If you are already further along in your recovery and have not started yet, get in touch. We can discuss your surgery and advise you on a suitable starting treatment plan.
Your surgeon's clearance comes first
Your surgeon knows exactly what was done during your procedure and how you are healing, so their clearance always comes before ours. We will not treat you before you have been cleared, and our guidance never replaces what your surgeon has told you.
Before you book, it is worth asking your surgeon directly when they are happy for you to start lymphatic drainage massage. Some people find it easiest to ask at their pre-op appointment, so the answer is ready when they need it.
If you have any complications, a new or unexplained swelling, or anything that does not feel right, please speak to your surgeon or GP first, and let us know before your appointment. Your comfort, safety and recovery are always our priority.
Why it is not a standard lymphatic massage
Post-operative lymphatic drainage massage is a specialist treatment designed specifically to support your body through the recovery process following cosmetic surgery. It is different from a standard lymphatic drainage massage, which is why it is important to choose a therapist who is appropriately trained and experienced in post-surgical aftercare.
We are Level 4 Advanced Specialists in Post-Operative Lymphatic Drainage Massage, with specialist training focused on supporting clients throughout their cosmetic surgery recovery. We provide aftercare for cosmetic surgery such as liposuction, a tummy tuck, fat transfer or a BBL.
If you are having a BBL, our article on BBL recovery week by week walks through what the weeks after surgery tend to look like.
Book before your surgery, not after
This is the part people often leave too late. We recommend arranging your aftercare appointments as soon as you know your surgery date. Ideally, your appointments should be booked in advance of your surgery, as our availability can become limited quickly.
Post-operative appointments can become booked up quickly, particularly around popular surgery dates and periods of the year. Booking ahead means you have your aftercare planned from the beginning of your recovery, and you are not trying to find appointments in the days after surgery when you should be resting.
Having your aftercare organised before your procedure means you can focus on your recovery knowing that your treatments are already in place.
How often in the first weeks
Every recovery is different, and the number of treatments you need will depend on the type and extent of surgery you have had, the number of procedures performed and how your individual body is healing.
As a general guideline, we recommend:
- Two massages per week for the first four weeks
- One massage per week after that, depending on your recovery and progress
A minimum of six to ten treatments may be recommended following surgery, although this is only a guideline and some clients may require more.
Having just one or two massages following major surgery is generally not sufficient to provide the ongoing support your body may need throughout the recovery process. Consistency is key, particularly during those important first few weeks.
Starting with a course
Most clients choose to begin with a course of five treatments. This lets us monitor your progress and assess your recovery before deciding on the next stage of your aftercare together.
Post-surgery aftercare is £140 a session, or £550 for a course of five. You can see all of our prices on our pricing page.
If you are unsure how many treatments you may need, we can discuss your surgery and advise you on a suitable starting plan. No two recoveries are the same, so your plan will always be guided by your individual needs and how your body is healing.
What to expect at your appointment
Appointments are one hour in duration. Please allow the full hour, as the hands-on treatment time will be slightly less to allow for consultation, preparation, changing and any necessary aftercare advice.
That consultation time is your chance to tell us how you are feeling, what your surgeon has said and anything that has changed since your last visit, so we can adapt the treatment to where you are in your recovery.
Adding red light therapy
We also recommend 360° red light therapy as part of your post-operative recovery. It is commonly used to support the body's natural healing and recovery processes following cosmetic surgery, alongside post-operative lymphatic drainage massage.
As with your massages, red light therapy is a convenient addition once your surgeon or medical professional has cleared you for treatment. It is non-invasive, pain-free and requires no downtime.
Red light therapy is booked at our sister clinic, Simply Contoured Wellness. Our post-op packages are 5 sessions for £150 or 10 sessions for £275. These are only available to our post-op clients, as a one-off package to add on to your post-op aftercare. You have three months to use your sessions, and they can be booked through Fresha.
One thing to know: vibration plate therapy, which is part of our Red Light and Lymphatic Flow experience at the wellness studio, is not suitable for post-op clients in the early stages of recovery. Stick with the post-op red light sessions for now.
In short
The right time to start is from three days after surgery, with your surgeon's go-ahead, and the right time to book is before your surgery. Your surgery is one part of getting the result you want, and the aftercare you receive afterwards is extremely important too. If you would like to talk through your surgery date and a starting plan, we are happy to help.