Have you had lymphatic massage? If so, what was your experience?

I am wondering if lymphatic massage will help to reduce swelling or if it is just hooey. If you have had it, please let me k ow what your experience was like. It seems like it can be pretty costly with the number of treatments required. Thanks!

I had it after my bl/ba and brachioplasty surgery. I had 5 sessions. I found it helpful. It would have been paid by my insurance if I had gone to a preferred provider, not a CMT. Ugh! I goofed! I also had physical therapy to help with range of motion and scar management. Both were beneficial.

I went for about 5 weeks. I found them helpful and oh so relaxing. It is really just a light massage...my cmt said that really any massage is somewhat lymphatic and that even my husband lightly compressing my extremities would help. I am in a fairly rural area and was lucky to find a lady at $45 in stead of our day spa at $75 an hour.

I will definitely go with my next surgery.

Thank y both very much!! I will see if my insurance will cover it, fingers crossed!

I have not yet had PS, although as I read about swell hell, I have done some research regarding this matter and it makes sense that LBL & tummy tucks (especially) would cause a tremendous disruption of normal lymphatic circulation.  The lymphatic system is so under-recognized for the role that it plays in homeostasis, I am a big advocate for massage.....especially in these situations!

Here are a couple of links which may help you decide whether this is hooey or not:

Dr. Lomonaco utilizes lymphatic massage as part of his post-PS practice--see the second page (this link is from his website)

Journal article discussing lymphatic disruption

 

Thank you for sharing your story.  I always prepare for worst case scenario, so reading stories of swell hell are helping me prepare.........and hopefully do everything I can to avoid the worst case outcome!

Thanks felinemommy!!! I love the article about Dr. Lomonaco. I still need to read the journal article and I am most interested in that. I also am glad that you liked my article. I went out and bought some firm support shape wear and it makes my abdomen feel better with all this swelling.

I'm glad that you are getting some relief!  I wonder why some surgeons are against compression garments?

On real self one or more of the plastic surgeons told me that abut half the doctors use them and half do not. My surgeon believes they can cause skin necropsy by cutting off circulation and that they do not reduce the swelling in the final result any more than not wearing them. He also said they were expensive and uncomfortable.

I should also have mentioned that years ago I worked with someone who'd had bilateral mastectomies and suffered severe edema in both arms (disrupted lymphatics from the many lymph nodes that were removed) and she HAD to do lymphatic massage..........for life.  But it really made a difference for her, as well as, wearing compression garments......24/7!

I think it's a shame that the effects on the lymphatic system are NOT addressed prior to any surgery, so that patients are aware of the possible consequences.  I think it would help people be a lot more prepared.  Actually, it's surprising that most people compensate so well!

Best wishes!

I read the clinical study and then googled a few articles on lymphodemia. As you know from my article I have been feeling that I do not have normal swelling. So now I am wondering if the is something going on with my lymphatic system being disrupted. Do you have any idea as to what sort of specialist could diagnose this? Thanks again for all of the info. I is extremely helpful.