Within the last few years, cosmetic surgeries have been on the rise in Australia. These types of interventions can be helpful for quick body changes. Still, the recovery process post-surgery is often under-estimated and misinterpreted, especially when, past a couple of days or just a few weeks, the body’s response to surgery leaves behind hard lumps, thick skin, and reduced sensitivity. The thought skin and lumps are simply fibrosis, and the reduced sensitivity results from damaged nervous system endings.
At Melbourne Massage and Treatment in Fitzroy North, I specialise in Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) using the Vodder technique, helping clients reduce swelling, assisting the recovery, and breaking down fibrosis post cosmetic surgery, safely and effectively.
If you’re looking for post-surgery care in Fitzroy North or Melbourne, here’s how MLD can support your recovery and improve your results.
What is Fibrosis After Cosmetic Surgery?
Fibrosis formation post cosmetic surgery is the result of tissue damage that occurred during the surgery. When going for an intervention like liposuction, where fat is removed from the body (either at the abdominal level, arms or legs or elsewhere), the body, to replace the void left by the fat removal, builds up fibrotic tissue. The fibrotic tissue is mainly made of collagen.
While this reaction is natural, it can often cause:
- Hard lumps or nodules under the skin;
- Uneven skin contour or texture;
- Tightness or restricted mobility;
- Tenderness or discomfort.
There is no real way around those types of side effects post-liposuction, at least in the short term, and the body would take weeks to recover fully (up to 3 months). That said, everybody reacts differently to this type of intervention, and based on the type of intervention received, the recovery process can vary.
Who Benefits Most From Lymphatic Drainage Massage After Cosmetic Surgery?
Here is a short list of cosmetic surgery interventions that are going to leave you with fibrosis in the post-surgery time, and that would benefit from Lymphatic Drainage Massage intervention:
- Liposuction (abdomen, thighs, arms, chin) – This includes liposuction for Lipoedema management too.
- Tummy tuck – Either due to post-liposuction or from severe weight loss.
- Breast surgery (augmentation, reduction, reconstruction) – If this is due to breast cancer, one should be aware of any risk of Lymphoedema development.
- Facelifts and neck lifts
- Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) – This type of intervention requires fat to be removed from other body parts, as the abdomen, and that’s where fibrosis would build up.
How MLD Helps Reduce Fibrosis
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a gentle, specialised technique that stimulates the lymphatic system to clear excess fluid, reduce swelling, and assist with the healing process. After surgery, your lymphatic system could be damaged and can struggle to keep up with its work, and that’s where MLD makes a big difference.
Indeed, the stimulation of the Lymphatic System, via MLD therapy, can help in assisting your recovery and ensure that the fibrotic tissue gets absorbed and dismissed, restoring freedom of movement and leaving you soon after treatment in a deep relaxation state.
I trained in the MLD with the Vodder style, therefore I can provide precise, tailored treatments that are safe for sensitive post-operative tissue.
Book your post-surgery lymphatic drainage in Fitzroy North today to safely reduce fibrosis.
When Can I Start MLD Treatment Post Cosmetic Surgery?
Generally, MLD is safe to start as soon as the antibiotic cycle is ended post-cosmetic surgery. Given the light touch of this type of therapy, we aim to produce no pain during the treatment, so we can work close to the surgical side, without affecting the recovery process.
On the other hand, I found myself occasionally referring patients to the local nurse or GP here at Fitzroy North Doctors, as their recovery immediately post-surgery was compromised by misleading suggestions and procedures offered by overseas cosmetic clinic surgery.
If you are not sure about what’s going on with your recovery, please, before placing a booking for an MLD treatment, talk to your GP about your recovery state, and if you have any questions regarding MLD treatment, you can always reach out to me via the contact page.
How Many MLD Sessions Do I Need To Reduce The Fibrosis?
As mentioned earlier, everyone responds differently to cosmetic surgery, but in my experience, it would take at least 4 to 6 weeks to start seeing a significant difference in fibrous tissue presence.
That said, the number of sessions and the time length of the sessions can vary, based on the area where you received the surgery.
- Abdominal surgery only: I will recommend 2 to 3 treatment per week, for the first 3 weeks. Within the first week, we may spend 1 hour per session, and from the 2nd week onwards, we reduce the treatment to 45 minutes.
- Multiple liposuction sites: as there are multiple areas where you received a surgery, we may need to extend the time of treatment up to 1 and a half hours initially, or go for multiple sessions, each for a different area.
- The first few treatment may take longer as we want to spend some extra time trying to break down the fibrosis with a gentler touch, due to the high sensitivity of the body, which is high due to post-surgery. As the sensitivity decreases, and we can apply further pressure, we can achieve the same result in fibrosis reduction with less time.
If you are not sure what works best for you, you can book a 15-minute free online consultation, so we can discuss your needs and work out a treatment plan in accordance with them.
MLD Prices in Fitzroy North
All my services are offered at the same rate and are as follows:
- 90 mins – $175
- 1 hour – $125
- 45 mins – $ 115
- 30 mins – $90
All those prices are inclusive of GST.
The 90-minute option is available only if required, and not via the booking system.
Why Choose MLD at Melbourne Massage and Treatment in Fitzroy North?
Not all lymphatic massage techniques are safe after surgery. I have been working with MLD since November 2021, and I have heard from many patients about their experiences with therapists who offer a more beauty therapy approach, with no clinically based experience behind their treatment. That said, inexperienced or aggressive treatments can make swelling worse, creating an unwanted inflammatory response that can lead to more discomfort and swelling. What I have to offer, thanks to my advanced training in the Vodder method, is:
- Gentle but highly effective
- Scientifically proven to stimulate lymphatic function
- Personalised for your stage of recovery
Whether you’re dealing with existing fibrosis or want to prevent it, Giovanni’s expertise in post-surgery lymphatic massage in Fitzroy North makes him a trusted choice for recovery support.
What Else Can Help With My Fibrosis Recovery?
MLD is one of the fundamental steps to enhance a good recovery from fibrosis post-cosmetic surgery.
But as part of the recovery process, it is important to consider different types of practice.
Along those we find:
- Compression Garments – wearing clinical-grade compressions, which I can provide upon measurements taken, can help in maintaining pressure on the surgical site and reduce the chance of fibrosis rebuilding up post-treatment.
- Movement – the muscle’s contraction stimulates the lymphatic system, so any form of movement can help the lymphatic system work harder.
- Rest – good sleep is essential for body recovery. So ensure to take extra consideration about your post-surgery status and get an extra pillow or support for your body to maintain comfort while you sleep.
- Food and Drink – the less you put your body under stress, with food and drink intake, the better, so ensure to have fresh food, plenty of veggies and fruit, as well as plenty of water, which is essential during the treatment days to support the exchange of liquid that would occur post MLD treatment.
Testimonial About Post-Liposuction Care
Akuany Kamis – ★★★★★ My experience with Giovanni was wonderful, I had undertaken a Liposuction he was able to provide me education about the massages and was professional and supportive from start to finish. The staff were caring, and Giovanni was both reassuring and attentive throughout the process. He helped treat the fibrosis around my abdomen, arms, and back. While my stomach was initially very hard, with time and multiple sessions he was able to successfully address and resolve this concern. I am very pleased with the results and would confidently recommend their services. | Jessie Knight – ★★★★★
I’ve been seeing Giovanni for lymphatic drainage massages post lipedema surgery and could not recommend him highly enough! He is incredible at what he does and very knowledgeable. |
Conclusion On Fibrosis Post-Cosmetic Surgery
Fibrosis is a natural body reaction to severe damage, which needs your attention and can be reabsorbed by the body via the Lymphatic System.
For helping the lymphatic system in re-absorbing the fibrosis, at Melbourne Massage and Treatment, I can assist you via MLD (Manual Lymphatic Drainage) treatment, a light touch, non-invasive, pain-free technique, that aims to stimulate your lymphatic system to work faster.
The healing time from fibrosis, based also on the extent of the surgery, can go from 2 to 3 months, and there is no protocol that can really boost the time; however, if not practised, it can make the process smoother and less impactful for the body.
So in conclusion, if you live in Melbourne and need assistance with post-cosmetic surgery recovery, visit the booking page and select the day and time that best suits you to begin your fibrosis recovery.
FAQs:

Giovanni La Rocca
Giovanni moved to Melbourne, Australia, from Italy in 2008 and became a citizen in 2017. He started studying massage therapy in 2016, then completed a Bachelor of Health Science in Clinical Myotherapy in August 2024. During those years, he also specialised in Thai Massage and Manual Lymphatic Drainage for presentations like Lipoedema and Lymphoedema. Nowadays, he runs his clinic in Fitzroy North, Melbourne, where he integrates movement therapy into his practice to enhance overall well-being. He also values meditation, having completed several Vipassana courses. Committed to continuous learning, he aims to share his expertise in integrated therapies to help others achieve balance and resilience.