Is a massage useful after liposuction?

Question:

I’ve heard that massage is very beneficial after liposuction. Is this true after a tummy tuck and what does it do?

Answer:

I would agree that massage is beneficial, but let me make sure that you understand that we are only talking about lymphatic massage. This is not rubbing and massage that you get at your local favorite massage therapist. This is a specialized treatment that a very few massage therapists are qualified for. You could probably do it yourself, and I teach patients how to do it every day and use it on almost all of my facial surgeries and much of my body contouring. Lymphatic massage is a massage with incredibly light touch, almost as light as a feather, which is directed towards the lymphatic basins towards which you want the swelling in the tissues to flow. I usually have people massage about ten times every hour very gently in that direction. For as light as the touching really is, it is just amazing how much it improves swelling.