Post-Surgery MLD Melbourne – Vodder MLD Therapist

Any form of surgery is an invasive procedure for the body to deal with, and finding yourself with oedema post-surgery, pain, sensitivity, stiff scars and/or fibrosis is a natural process and consequence. Those presentations indeed are also the result of a temporary effect on the body’s tissues and the lymphatic system.

This is one reason Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) may form part of a post-operative recovery plan.

But there is an important distinction that is often missed:

MLD is not simply a “lymphatic massage”.

Indeed, when I work with clients who specifically have undergone procedures such as liposuction, abdominoplasty, breast surgery, body contouring and other cosmetic procedures, I have to explain that MLD is performed using the Dr Vodder method, which gently stimulates the swollen areas to direct the fluid towards the nearest lymph node.

And not just pressing hard or applying some oil on the skin and starting to massage it in the hope of some relaxation.

Because if you are someone who is recovering from cosmetic surgery, that difference matters.

What happens to the lymphatic system after cosmetic surgery?

Surgery is a controlled injury to the body.

As a consequence of this procedure, tissues may experience inflammation, disruption of small blood and lymphatic vessels, changes in tissue pressure and temporary impairment of normal fluid clearance.

Post-operative oedema is therefore not necessarily a sign that something has gone wrong. In fact, swelling is a normal part of the body’s healing response, although the amount and duration can vary considerably between individuals and procedures. Recent research has highlighted postoperative oedema as a common consequence of aesthetic surgery and has also drawn attention to the need to better understand lymphatic complications following these procedures.

That’s where, as a clinician, I don’t only think of:

“How do I get rid of the swelling?”

But I also look into:

“What is happening to this person’s tissues and lymphatic drainage at this stage of recovery?”

And that’s where clinical assessment becomes important.

MLD is not about squeezing swelling away

As cosmetic surgery is becoming more and more popular, and many Melburnians are heading overseas to get their surgery done, I was quite shocked the first few times I had someone call for MLD post-cosmetic surgery and asked how I would push the liquid out of their body.

My response was as clear as it could be: MLD is not about squeezing liquid out of your body.

This is not only a dangerous and illegal procedure here in Australia, but it is definitely not how Dr Vodder MLD is designed to work.

The original Dr Vodder method uses gentle, specific skin-stretching techniques applied with appropriate pressure, direction and speed. The technique is intended to assist lymph flow and drainage of tissues.

This is particularly relevant after surgery because recently operated tissues are not the same as healthy, uninjured tissue.

In fact, more pressure is not necessarily better.

That’s where post-operative treatment needs to respect the stage of healing and the condition of the tissues being treated.

Why the treatment cannot be exactly the same for everyone

No single “post-cosmetic surgery MLD protocol” fits everyone.

Consider the difference between someone recovering from:

• liposuction of the abdomen
• abdominoplasty
• breast surgery
• a combination of procedures
• body contouring
• liposuction of the thighs or arms

The surgical areas, incisions, tissue trauma and areas of swelling can all be different.

And after a few years of experience, I can tell you, I got to work with people who did a few of those surgeries all at once, and coming up with a clinical reasoning on how to move the fluid was a good challenge.

On the other hand, there is to consider that there can be variation between patients, based on their general wellbeing and health status.

Two people may have the same procedure but very different presentations.

One person may have relatively mild swelling and good tissue mobility. Another may have significant oedema, restricted movement, areas of tenderness or developing tissue firmness.

This is why post-operative MLD should be individualised rather than treated as a routine massage sequence.

What Do We Look At As a Vodder Therapist?

Before commencing an MLD treatment, even with a returning client, we start with more than simply locating the swollen area.

First thing first, we consider the person’s overall presentation and the stage of recovery.

Depending on the situation, this may include considering:

The procedure

What surgery was performed? Which tissues were affected? Where are the incisions and treated areas?

The stage of healing

Post-operative tissues change considerably over time. A technique that is appropriate at one stage may not be appropriate at another.

The distribution of swelling

Swelling is not always confined to the area that was operated on.

The lymphatic pathways

MLD is based on understanding lymphatic anatomy and drainage pathways rather than simply rubbing towards the closest lymph node.

The condition of the skin and tissues

Changes in tissue texture, sensitivity, mobility and firmness can provide useful information about how recovery is progressing.

The person’s symptoms and function

Pain, tightness, restricted movement and discomfort may influence how treatment is approached.

Compression and movement

MLD is not necessarily an isolated treatment. Depending on the individual’s situation, compression, appropriate movement and other elements of recovery may also be relevant.

And again, this is one reason why seeing a therapist with specific lymphatic training can be different from booking a generic “lymphatic massage”.

Why the direction of MLD matters

The lymphatic system is a complex network, not a simple pipe running directly from the swollen area to the nearest lymph node.

Indeed, when performing MLD, we use specific manual techniques and treatment sequences to influence lymphatic drainage.

Our aim as MLD therapists is to direct the fluid from the congested area, away from and across the watershed (an imaginary line that divides the body into quadrants, from which the lymphatic system vessels start), aiming for the fluid to reach the lymphatic duct (the connection between the lymphatic system and the bloodstream in the cervical area).

Along the extensive training for the Dr Vodder method, we are taught specialised techniques requiring appropriate hand skills, pressure, direction and speed rather than simply applying light massage over swollen tissue.

Those hands-on skills and clinical reasoning. including the understanding of where the lymphatic system moves from and moves to, are extremely important in a post-operative setting, as after surgery your lymphatic system may temporarily be damaged and malfunctioning.

Does MLD remove fibrosis?

Fibrosis is a build-up of tissue under the skin that the body puts in place as part of its recovery process.

Fibrotic tissue may appear at different stages of the healing process, and based on the type of intervention you did, it may appear in different body areas.

MLD is a useful technique to ensure less fibrotic tissue develops in the acute phase of recovery, but it is also an effective way to break down fibrosis.

On the other hand, we have to be aware that healing is a complex biological process and is affected by multiple factors, including but not limited to genetics, food intake, age, level of activity pre-surgery, and more… therefore, yes, MLD should not be presented as a magic treatment that simply “breaks up fibrosis”.

This is why post-operative care may need to change over time, including, in later appointments, firmer pressure and the use of Low Level Laser Therapy.

If you want to understand this topic in more detail, see our article on fibrosis after cosmetic surgery and post-surgery MLD in Melbourne.

When should you start MLD after cosmetic surgery?

The time frame for when to start MLD post-cosmetic surgery is a call for the surgeon. In my experience, I get people to come for MLD after 10 to 15 days post-surgery.

In more detail, the appropriate timing depends on factors including:

• the procedure performed
• the surgeon’s post-operative instructions
• the condition of the surgical site
• wound healing
• drains, if present
• complications or other medical considerations
• the individual’s symptoms and recovery

That’s why your surgeon’s instructions should always take priority regarding when post-operative treatment can begin.

And to be even clearer, MLD should complement medical and surgical care, not replace it.

MLD before cosmetic surgery: why consider it?

As mentioned above, cosmetic or orthopedic surgery is controlled body damage that would leave behind an excessive inflammatory response, dead cells, and excess fluid, all of which have to be taken care of by the lymphatic system.

The idea of boosting your lymphatic system prior to surgery is to ensure that, before all this excess work takes place, your lymphatic system is boosted and up and running stronger than normal.

Some patients also choose MLD before their procedure as part of their preparation and education.

At Melbourne Massage and Treatment, I then offer a 10-session package for surgery intervention, where 3 treatments are offered prior to surgery, with the last treatment 24 to 48 h prior to the actual surgery time, and 7 sessions post-surgery.

More information about this offer is available via PDF.

MLD is only one part of cosmetic surgery recovery

Another misconception that I find myself debating with my client is that having MLD means you can simply lie on the treatment table and let the therapist “drain everything”.

But yes, recovery is more complicated than that.

In fact, let’s be aware that each stage of recovery may involve following your surgeon’s instructions, appropriate movement, compression when prescribed or recommended, wound care, nutrition, sleep, and gradually returning to normal activities.

MLD can be one component of this process.

Remember that the lymphatic system is also influenced by movement and muscle activity, which is why appropriate physical activity can become an important part of recovery as healing progresses.

My goal as an MLD therapist, indeed, is not to sell you more treatment than what you need, but to make you progress through recovery appropriately, via yes treatment, but even movement and, where needed, cross-referral with other practitioners.

Why choose a Vodder-trained therapist?

The Dr. Vodder method of Manual Lymph Drainage is a specific therapeutic approach rather than a generic name for light massage.

When training for Vodder MLD therapy, we undergo intensive theoretical and practical exams, and it is taught through specialised training focusing on manual skills, lymphatic anatomy and physiology and clinical applications.

What this left us with is a clinical approach to your presentation, and given my background in Clinical Myotherapy, I could not work or train with any other technique, as a weekend course of only technique would not resonate with my clinical skills and approach.

That’s why during a session I don’t simply go for:

“Where is the swelling? Let’s massage it.”

Instead, I look at the person as a whole and consider:

• What procedure have they had?
• Where are the tissues affected?
• What stage of healing are they in?
• How is the swelling distributed?
• How are the tissues responding?
• What lymphatic pathways are relevant?
• What treatment is appropriate today?

This is the difference between offering a generic lymphatic massage and providing clinically considered Manual Lymphatic Drainage.

When MLD may not be appropriate

As with any hands-on treatment, even when delivering MLD, we want to ensure that there are no contraindications.

Therefore, if my client is experiencing any worsening of symptoms, such as severe swelling with loss of fluid, or fever, increasing redness, significant heat, worsening pain, sudden shortness of breath, chest pain or other concerning changes, I would recommend they seek appropriate medical assessment.

This can be your surgeon, GP or emergency department if needed.

And in my experience, I have had to turn patients away because they were presenting with symptoms that would not make MLD a safe treatment to deliver.

Choosing post-operative MLD in Melbourne

If you are considering MLD after cosmetic surgery, don’t only ask:

“Do you offer lymphatic massage?”

But instead ask for:

• What type of MLD training does the therapist have?
• Which method were they trained in?
• Do they understand lymphatic anatomy and physiology?
• Do they work with post-operative clients?
• Will they adapt treatment to my procedure and stage of recovery?
• Will they communicate with my surgeon when appropriate?
• What happens if my symptoms suggest a complication rather than normal post-operative swelling?

These questions can help you distinguish between a relaxation-style lymphatic massage and a more clinically considered approach.

MLD after cosmetic surgery in Coburg, Melbourne

In conclusion, at Melbourne Massage and Treatment in Coburg, I provide Manual Lymph Drainage using the Dr Vodder method for appropriate clients before and after cosmetic surgery.

My approach is based on assessment, not a one-size-fits-all routine.

The aim is not simply to massage swelling, but it is to understand the presentation, work with the lymphatic system appropriately, respect the healing tissues and adapt treatment as recovery progresses.

If you are planning cosmetic surgery, you can also consider a pre-operative consultation to discuss whether MLD may be appropriate for your individual situation, so don’t hesitate to contact me now to discuss your needs.

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