The treatment of MLD (Manual Lymphatic Drainage) is a technique using feather-light strokes, traditionally. We adopt a slightly more deliberate technique that is very mild. This treatment encourages and quickens the pace of the natural pumping of the system, where the lymphatic waste leaves the body through urine. We can even apply the technique to surrounding areas to encourage natural drainage. There are many misconceptions about this treatment it surprises our clients how effective our methods are with such minimal touch.

Yes, many of our clients have had J Plasma or Rejuvion treatments, and we are familiar with adjusting our techniques to accommodate the necessary changes.

It is NOT in the scope of practice for any MT to work with bodily fluids. Even though this is a rampant and popularized practice in places such as Miami, Florida, Parts of Texas, San Diego, and Mexico, we do not offer practices outside of these parameters of the law, education, and personal ethics.

Sometimes clients come to us after seeing a regular massage therapist who utilized what techniques that they felt comfortable with, without truly understanding the complexities and subtle needs of the lymphatic system. If a therapist performed MLD properly, the client should feel lighter, the urge to use the restroom within 20 minutes, and feel overall better. If you had an MLD session but did not drain, then the culprit is often lack of compression and inflammatory diet.

The hardness is an indicator of SWELLING. You can book a lymphatic drainage massage, drink pineapple or arnica tea, and COMPRESS with your proper after care garments. For more tips and tricks, we can help you with resources.

In the first 6 weeks or so after surgery our primary focus is helping to manage the swelling and the discomfort with it. When the swelling is significantly less of a concern, we utilize vacuum therapy to help with the reduction of the tightness, discomfort, and appearance of scar tissue that is internal and external. This by default may show some minor changes to one’s shape, but it is not intended to reshape someone’s body nor to perfect your surgeon’s results. We are here to assist in promoting proper healing. Your shape is determined by what your surgeon did in the operating room, and not affected in the slightest by whether or not you received Lymphatic Drainage or "Bodysculpting" or other Tools and Toys were involved.

We are not doctors and cannot diagnose conditions. Scar tissue goes through various stages of healing and sometimes absorbs fluid, which is also known as fibrosis. However, the extreme fibrosis often feared in the post-op industry is usually caused by very aggressive liposuction and is very rare. Lumps, bumps, and other irregularities after liposuction and tummy tucks are common and normal. Full healing typically takes about a year. We can help address some irregularities about 6 weeks post-surgery, and we've had positive results with vacuum therapy for many clients.

It is outside the scope of practice for massage therapists in the state of California to remove drains and stitches. We are not allowed to work with body fluids, as a wound care nurse or a doctor would be better suited to help you. There are tutorials online if you wish to have a loved one help you with the removal of stitches or drainage tubes, etc, But always consult your Surgeon with these matters.

Yes, we can absolutely help you strategize your compression protocol. We have a lot of experience with fajas, foams, boards, etc and would be happy to help. You can even book a consultation as a treatment add on when you book your appointment.

The swelling happens for several reasons: 1) Trauma to the body produces an inflammatory response 2) Due to the trauma, the outer lymphatics are damaged and need 9-10 days to regenerate, until then the body is cannot maintain its pre-surgery fluid pressure. 3) In the case of liposuction, one may discover the skin will be looser, especially since fatty tissue was removed, so there is extra space. When not compressed, the swelling will seem extreme because the fluid production will continue until pressure creates the boundary. Lymphatic drainage, compression, and proper diet, hydration, and rest tends to help.

It's never advisable to start treatments with energy machines like ultrasounds, cavitation, or radio frequency until at least 3 months after liposuction or plastic surgery, as they can cause issues like fibrosis. For the first 2-3 months post-op, we only offer hands-on treatments or gentle vacuum/cupping therapy for scar tissue management. After 3 months, if you're a good candidate, we can discuss body sculpting treatments.

It's best to start lymphatic massages on the third day after surgery, but it's never too late to begin. We've had clients start treatments 3-5 years post-surgery and still achieve notable, positive results.

Various regions of California and other states have a common theme of either providing a lot of detailed post surgical support and others very little. We can help. We have some resources on this site to get you started, and more detailed support in house or over zoom. If you require more support and detailed assistance, feel free to book a consultation with us or join one of our monthly workshops. CLICK HERE.

The number of post-op massages you need depends on your individual needs. Typically, we see clients no more than twice a week initially and gradually reduce the frequency as appropriate. We believe in personalized care and will never pressure you into buying packages or a specific number of sessions. To book a session or consultation, click HERE.

A Seroma is a pocket of encapsulated fluid. An MT cannot legally work with any form of body fluid, that is against our scope of practice. What you can do are several things: 1) Use warm (not hot) compresses several times a day in hopes that it will loosen the tension on the surrounding tissues and gets reabsorbed into the body. 2) Contact your surgeon, if they are local, to have them care for you. 3) If that is not an option, contact your Primar Care Doctor (most won't even address this since they did not provide the surgery, unless you're infected or bleeding, but Kaiser has been known to help my past clients). 3) Your PCD or Nurse Practitioner 4) Contact a local plastic surgeon. This may cost out of pocket, around $1,000 give or take.