Commonly Asked Questions

 

Q: What does Lymphatic Drainage do after surgery?

A: Lymphatic Drainage moves fluid out and away from the surgical site. 

It reduces swelling by moving the accumulated fluid away from the swollen area, waste caused by the breakdown of damaged tissues are moved away from the surgical area as well. The lymphatic flow is boosted at the surgical site which facilitates the delivery of nutrients to healing tissues. 

It does this by creating room for the normal circulatory fluid to reach the damaged tissues.  Prior to lymphatic drainage, the flow of this fluid was blocked by stagnant fluid (swelling). 

We use a combination of Manual Lymph Drainage and advanced Electro-Lymphatic Therapy making surgical drains less necessary by moving that fluid back into your bloodstream. Plan for Lymphatic Therapy after your surgery to make your recovery easier.

 

Q: What is the benefit for Lymphatic Drainage?

A: Lymphatic Drainage can speed up the healing process significantly by:

• Substantially reducing swelling

• Clearing up bruises much faster

• Speed Wound Healing

• Reduces water retention and inflammation

• Prevents fibrosis and speeds recovery process

• Reduces pain and discomfort

• Sculpt the body and enhances results after surgery 

• Strengthens the immune system and increases the circulation

 

Q: What happens if I don’t have a Lymphatic Drainage after surgery?

A: Without Lymphatic Drainage, the post-surgical inflammation that does not drain on its own can evolve into fibrosis (permanent hardening), lumps or a seroma (fluid pocket) can form. Lumps that can hang around for months afterwards.

 

Fibrosis is the formation of excess fibrous connective tissue in an organ or tissue in a reparative or reactive process. This can be a reactive, benign, or pathological state. In response to injury, this is called scarring, and if fibrosis arises from a single cell line, this is called a fibroma.

Seroma is a pocket of clear serous fluid that sometimes develops in the body after surgery. This fluid is composed of blood plasma that has seeped out of ruptured small blood vessels and inflammatory fluid produced by the injured and dying cells.

 

Q: Does Lymphatic Drainage help get rid of bruising?

A: Yes, Lymphatic Drainage during plastic surgery recovery does a great job at clearing up bruises.  Bruises are cellular debris (broken down tissues) and old red blood cells that are stuck in the tissues following surgery.  

Lymphatic Drainage greatly reduces healing time for bruises by moving these waste products out of the spaces where they are trapped.

Getting rid of post-op bruises is one of the most visible results of Lymphatic Drainage.

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Q: How soon should I have a Lymphatic Drainage?

A: Post Lymphatic Drainage can be done immediately after consulting with your physician. Your certified lymphatic drainage therapist uses a combination of Manual Lymphatic Drainage techniques and an advanced Electro-Lymphatic Therapy to achieve the best results. Each session is customized for the conditions requested to be worked on by the client.  Manual Lymphatic Drainage: your therapist uses hand techniques with very specific pressure and direction. Electro-Lymphatic Therapy: your therapist will be use a hand-held wand to send high-frequency electrical pulses into your lymphatic system.  

 

Q: Why is it important to work on the upper body when I have problems with fluid retention in my lower body?

A: There are important pathways for the lymph system in the body to which you must follow in order for the treatments to work properly. It is important to start by opening up the area underneath the clavicle which is where the main drainage of the lymphatic system begins. From that point, go to the next main junction which would be the armpits, abdomen and groin areas before treating the lower parts of the body. You must then always go back to the upper trunk area and make sure that as you move the fluids back, you do not bring about further blockages otherwise the treatment will not work properly.

 

Q: Will I experience any detox symptoms after the session?
A: Most people feel great immediately after their session and continue to feel energized the next day.  It is possible that if you are dehydrated or if you have a lot of toxins to purge that you might feel a bit fatigued or flu like, and may have muscle soreness afterwards. It is important to rid the body of the toxins by drinking more water than normal. Your body needs the extra water to eliminate the waste. You may urinate more often and there may be an odor or different color, this is due to the toxins leaving the body.

 

Q: Is it possible to have an Electro-Lymphatic Therapy while on your period?

A: Electro- Lymphatic Therapy is perfectly safe during this time. Your period may have a different length of time than normal due to body cleansing out the toxins.   

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Q: How many treatments are recommended and how often?

A: The first week we recommend coming 2-3 times and then 2 times a week for the next couple of weeks.  After that we recommend to go to once a week.  

 

Q: What should I expect if I am taking medication/supplements?

A: After you have the Electro-Lymphatic Therapy, you may have an increased chance of absorption of the medication/supplements. 

During the session, your therapist will also focus on massaging the abdomen to stimulate the bowels to help with any possible constipation caused by pain medication.

 

Q: How should I prepare for post surgical lymphatic drainage?
A: The most important thing about getting the most out of your lymphatic session is to be well-hydrated. Begin drinking water on the day of, minimal water is recommended one hour before the session. Continue drinking water for at least another 24-48 hours after your session for maximum benefits. Plan to get some rest after procedure.

 

For maximum results, we recommend you avoid:

 

-Wearing lotion, oil, deodorant, perfume or makeup. These products can be absorbed and interfere with the effects of the treatment.

-Wearing Jewelry.

-Coffee, soda, sugar, alcohol etc before or after your treatment

 

Q: What can I eat after my treatment?

A: A light, nutritious meal is best after procedure.

 

Q: Is Electro-Lymphatic Therapy a safe procedure?

A. Yes, Electro-Lymphatic Drainage is a safe, non-invasive therapy to detox the lymphatic system.  However, clients with the following contraindications should not use ELT:

 

​-If you have found breast lumps, cysts or any other symptoms on the breast or other parts of the body; they should be thoroughly checked by a medical Doctor.

 

-If you have cancer or you are undergoing treatment for cancer, it is your responsibility to seek advice from your consulting doctor before you can receive ELT treatments.

 

-If you have acute infections.

 

-If you have circulatory problems like thrombosis, embolism, or phlebitis.

 

-If you have malignant ailments (ex. undiagnosed lumps)

 

-If you are pregnant.

 

-If you have an electrical implant or pacemaker. 

 

-If you have had recent surgery or an organ transplant, it is your responsibility to seek advice from your consulting doctor, to make sure that the body had adapted properly to these altered changes.

 

-If you are on life support.

 

-If you have major cardiac problems.

 

-If you have any hemorrhaging or bleeding.

 

-If you take blood thinners.

 

-If you have rods, pins, head coils staples, stunts or metal plates anywhere in your body.

 

-If you have had any significant trauma recently (auto accident – falls – etc).

 

-If you have had Botox done within the past 10 days (please inform your therapist and she will not do the procedure over area that has had Botox).

 

Client with a contraindication may be eligible for Manual Lymphatic Drainage.

 

Cecily-Bing Ding is a Certified Electro-Lymphatic Therapist. For further information please call (951) 552-0167