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Hours: 8.30am – 4pm

4645  Wyndham Ln Suite 180 Frisco, TX 75033

Manual Lymphatic Drainage for Pre and Post Surgical Care

Supporting Recovery Before and After Surgery

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) at Frisco Massage Therapy provides gentle, medically-informed care to support healing before and after surgery. This specialized form of bodywork helps reduce swelling, inflammation, and discomfort while improving circulation and accelerating the body’s natural recovery process.

MLD is a trusted therapy recommended by surgeons, physical therapists, and recovery specialists because it helps clients heal faster, experience less post-operative pain, and achieve better long-term results.

At Frisco Massage Therapy, every MLD session is performed by therapists trained in post-surgical recovery and lymphatic anatomy. Each client receives a personalized plan designed to promote safe, efficient healing at every stage of recovery.

New Clients Welcome

If you are preparing for or recovering from surgery, Frisco Massage Therapy is here to support your healing process. Our certified lymphatic therapists take time to understand your procedure, recovery timeline, and areas of concern. Your session is gentle, effective, and designed to reduce swelling and discomfort.

✨ Enjoy $20 off your first lymphatic drainage session as a new client special. ✨

First-time post-op clients often notice immediate relief, reduced puffiness, and faster healing after their session.

Understanding the Lymphatic System and Healing

The lymphatic system plays a vital role in the body’s natural healing process. It removes excess fluid and cellular waste from tissues. Surgery temporarily disrupts this system, often causing swelling, bruising, and inflammation.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage works by gently stimulating lymph flow through light, rhythmic movements. These specialized strokes encourage fluid to move through lymph vessels toward drainage points, reducing swelling and supporting tissue repair.

When performed before or after surgery, MLD helps optimize the body’s ability to heal efficiently, safely, and comfortably.

After surgery lymphatic fluid may have blocked pathways to drainage ports from surgical cuts or node removal. A trained post-surgery lymphatic drainage therapist can manually move this backflow of fluid around the surgical site to healthy drainage nodes and encourage this reroute until the area has healed.

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Why MLD Is Recommended Before and After Surgery

Surgeons often recommend MLD because it helps prepare the body for surgery and speeds recovery afterward.

Before Surgery

Pre-surgical sessions help reduce inflammation and promote healthy circulation. By clearing lymph pathways before a procedure, the body is better prepared to manage swelling and recover more efficiently.

Benefits of Pre-Surgical MLD:

  • Supports immune function

  • Improves circulation and oxygen delivery to tissues

  • Helps reduce post-surgical swelling and bruising

  • Promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety before surgery

After Surgery

Following a procedure, MLD helps the body remove excess fluid, reduce swelling, and minimize scar tissue development.

Benefits of Post-Surgical MLD:

  • Faster healing and recovery

  • Decreased pain and stiffness

  • Reduced swelling and bruising

  • Prevention of fibrosis or fluid buildup

  • Improved range of motion

  • Smoother, more even healing results

These benefits make MLD one of the most effective and noninvasive ways to support surgical recovery.

Common Procedures Supported

Manual Lymphatic Drainage is beneficial for a wide range of cosmetic, reconstructive, and medical procedures, including:

  • Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery
    Liposuction, tummy tuck, Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), facelift, neck lift, breast augmentation or reduction, abdominoplasty, and body contouring procedures

  • Orthopedic Surgery
    Knee replacement, hip replacement, shoulder repair, or other joint surgeries

  • Abdominal and Pelvic Surgery
    Hernia repair, hysterectomy, C-section, and other abdominal procedures

  • Facial and Dental Surgery
    Rhinoplasty, jaw surgery, or oral procedures that cause facial swelling

  • General Surgical Recovery
    Any surgery that leads to inflammation, fluid retention, or discomfort

Frisco Massage Therapy tailors every session to the type of surgery, healing timeline, and any medical guidelines provided by the client’s physician.

What to Expect During a Post-Surgical MLD Session

Each session begins with a consultation to discuss the client’s recovery stage, comfort level, and any medical restrictions.

Clients remain comfortably draped and positioned to avoid pressure on healing areas. The therapist uses slow, precise, and rhythmic strokes that follow lymphatic pathways just under the skin.

The touch is very light — much gentler than traditional massage — yet profoundly effective. MLD does not manipulate muscles but instead stimulates the body’s natural fluid movement.

Clients often describe post-surgical sessions as relaxing, soothing, and surprisingly effective in reducing discomfort and swelling.

Timing and Frequency of Sessions

The ideal timing and frequency of MLD vary depending on the surgery and individual healing progress.

Pre-Surgery:

1–2 sessions in the week before surgery help prepare the body for recovery by supporting optimal circulation and drainage.

Early Post-Surgery:

Clients often begin MLD 3–7 days after surgery (with doctor approval). At this stage, gentle techniques are used to reduce swelling and discomfort.

Ongoing Recovery:

Several sessions are typically scheduled over the next 2–6 weeks. The frequency gradually decreases as the body stabilizes.

Consistent MLD during the early healing phase often leads to faster recovery, less scarring, and improved surgical results.

Reducing Swelling, Bruising, and Scar Tissue

After surgery, the body naturally produces fluid as part of the healing process. While this is normal, excessive buildup can cause discomfort and slow recovery.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage gently moves this fluid out of the affected areas and back into circulation, helping to:

  • Decrease swelling and tightness

  • Minimize bruising and discoloration

  • Prevent fibrosis (hardened scar tissue)

  • Promote smoother skin and tissue healing

Scar tissue work may also be introduced later in the recovery process to improve flexibility and restore movement once healing has stabilized.

Safety and Expertise

Frisco Massage Therapy prioritizes safety above all else. Each therapist is trained in post-surgical anatomy and MLD-specific techniques that ensure safe, effective results.

Safety Measures Include:

  • No direct pressure on incision sites or healing tissue

  • Adjusted positioning for comfort and circulation

  • Adherence to medical clearance and doctor recommendations

  • Consistent communication before and during sessions

Clients recovering from surgical drains, sutures, or sensitive areas are treated with extra care. Sessions are adapted based on progress and comfort level.

Integrating MLD with Other Therapies

For comprehensive recovery, clients often combine Manual Lymphatic Drainage with other supportive therapies at Frisco Massage Therapy:

  • Therapeutic Massage: For tension or muscle discomfort after healing

  • Injury Recovery Massage: For regaining mobility and strength

  • Craniosacral Therapy: For nervous system balance and stress reduction

  • Scar Tissue Mobilization: To soften and align scar tissue after full healing

These therapies can be integrated as the body transitions from early healing to full recovery.

The Emotional Aspect of Healing

Recovering from surgery is not only a physical process but an emotional one. Clients often feel frustration or fatigue during the early stages of recovery. MLD provides a calming experience that supports both body and mind.

Gentle touch helps lower stress hormones, calm the nervous system, and promote deeper rest — all essential for optimal healing. Many clients describe their sessions as the first time they feel truly relaxed since their procedure.

Preparing for Your First MLD Session

Before beginning post-surgical MLD, clients should receive clearance from their doctor or surgeon.

Tips for Best Results:

  • Arrive well-hydrated

  • Wear loose, comfortable clothing

  • Avoid heavy meals before your session

  • Plan to rest afterward and continue drinking water to support lymphatic movement

Your therapist will review your surgical history and ensure that treatment aligns with your recovery plan.

Client Stories

Clients recovering from surgery frequently share how MLD changed their healing experience.

A client who had a tummy tuck and liposuction noticed a significant reduction in swelling and tightness after her first few sessions. She reported feeling more comfortable in her clothing and more confident in her results within weeks.

Another client recovering from a knee replacement said that MLD helped him regain mobility faster and reduced stiffness that had persisted despite physical therapy.

Clients recovering from facial procedures, such as rhinoplasty or facelift, often see reduced puffiness and faster return to natural contour through gentle lymphatic care.

Each story reinforces how MLD supports the body’s own ability to heal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Manual Lymphatic Drainage safe after surgery?

Yes. When performed by trained professionals, MLD is safe and beneficial during recovery. Sessions are customized based on healing stage and medical clearance.

When can I start MLD after surgery?

Most clients begin within 3–7 days after surgery, but timing depends on the procedure and surgeon’s recommendation.

How often should I schedule sessions?

For optimal results, 2–3 sessions per week are common during the first few weeks, with frequency decreasing as swelling improves.

Will it hurt?

No. MLD is a very gentle technique that should never cause pain. Clients typically find it soothing and relaxing.

Can MLD help improve surgical results?

Yes. By reducing swelling and fibrosis, MLD promotes smoother, more even results and minimizes long-term complications.

Results Clients Commonly Experience

Clients receiving post-surgical MLD frequently report:

  • Noticeably reduced swelling within a few sessions

  • Faster healing time and greater comfort

  • Improved range of motion

  • Softer, smoother tissue around surgical areas

  • Better sleep and energy levels

  • Reduced tenderness and tightness

These results support not only physical healing but also emotional well-being throughout the recovery process.

Who Benefits Most from Post-Surgical MLD

Manual Lymphatic Drainage is recommended for:

  • Clients preparing for or recovering from cosmetic surgery

  • Individuals healing from orthopedic or abdominal procedures

  • Clients with swelling, bruising, or scar tissue buildup

  • Those seeking to prevent fibrosis or uneven healing

  • Anyone wanting to support the body’s natural detox and immune functions during recovery

Take the Next Step Toward Recovery

Manual Lymphatic Drainage before and after surgery helps your body heal faster, with less swelling, pain, and discomfort. Frisco Massage Therapy provides safe, effective, and compassionate care for every stage of the healing process.

✨ New Client Special: $20 Off Your First Session ✨

Frisco Massage Therapy is proud to support clients through surgical recovery with advanced lymphatic care rooted in knowledge, precision, and compassion. Each session is designed to help you heal comfortably and confidently — because your recovery deserves expert care.

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