Post-Op Recovery
Understanding your post-op recovery
Common post-op concerns & what to know
Every body heals differently. After cosmetic surgery, swelling, bruising, tenderness, firmness, and changes in sensation can all be part of the healing process. Knowing what to expect—and when to contact your surgeon—can help you feel more confident throughout your recovery.
Swelling & fluid retention
Swelling is very common after surgery and may last for several weeks or longer. It can change from day to day and may be more noticeable in certain areas.
Gentle Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) can help support your lymphatic system as your body processes excess fluid during healing.
Seroma
A seroma is a pocket of clear fluid that can collect beneath the skin after surgery. Seromas are commonly seen after tummy tuck, liposuction, and other body-contouring procedures.
The area may feel soft or fluid-filled and may cause localized swelling or fullness. Small seromas may gradually be reabsorbed by the body, while larger, painful, persistent, or increasing areas should be evaluated by your surgeon.
Gentle lymphatic care may continue when appropriate, but seromas are never opened, aspirated, or manually drained during my sessions.
Fibrosis & hardness
Firm, lumpy, or tight areas can develop as tissues heal after surgery. Not every hard area is fibrosis—early swelling and inflammation can also make tissue feel firm.
Fibrosis is thicker, firmer tissue that may feel like lumps, hardened areas, or tight bands beneath the skin. It may become more noticeable as the initial swelling begins to decrease.
Following your surgeon’s instructions, wearing compression as directed, and receiving appropriate lymphatic care may support healthy healing and tissue mobility. Early post-op work remains gentle, with more fibrosis-focused techniques introduced later when appropriate.
Incision & wound healing
Incisions need time to completely close and heal. Sometimes an incision may heal slowly or begin to separate or open, known as wound dehiscence.
Massage is never performed directly over an open wound. Increasing redness, warmth, unusual drainage or odor, worsening pain, or an opening incision should be reported to your surgeon.
Bruising, tenderness & numbness
Bruising and tenderness are common after many cosmetic procedures. Temporary numbness, tingling, sensitivity, or changes in sensation can also occur and often improve gradually as the tissues heal.
Post-op massage should always be adjusted to your comfort and stage of recovery.
Hematoma
A hematoma is a collection of blood beneath the tissue that may cause increased swelling, bruising, firmness, pain, or noticeable asymmetry.
A suspected hematoma should be evaluated by your surgeon and is not treated with massage.
Scar tissue
Scarring is a natural part of healing, and scars continue to change in color, texture, and firmness over time.
Once an incision is completely closed and the area is ready, appropriate scar-focused techniques may be introduced to help support tissue mobility.
Know when to contact your surgeon
Contact your surgeon if you experience increasing redness or warmth, fever, worsening pain, unusual or foul-smelling drainage, an opening incision, sudden or excessive swelling, concerning skin changes, or anything that feels different from your expected recovery.
Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, coughing up blood, or significant pain or swelling in one leg requires immediate medical attention.
Your safety comes first
Post-operative lymphatic care is designed to support your recovery—not diagnose or treat surgical complications.
If something appears outside the normal healing process, I will encourage you to contact your surgeon or medical provider. Your care can continue or be adjusted when it is safe and appropriate.