Why Get a Massage Before Surgery?
Most women think about massage after surgery: the drainage, the swelling, the fibrosis. But some of the best work I do happens before you ever see an operating room.
Ven acá, preciosa (come here, gorgeous), let me tell you why a massage before surgery is one of the smartest things you can book.
Massage before surgery: the quick answer
A massage before surgery preps your lymphatic system, calms your nervous system, releases tight muscles and old tension, and lets your therapist get to know your body before it's swollen and sore. In my experience, it makes the post-op part of your life less painful, with less swelling.
I highly recommend it for anyone planning lipo, a BBL, a tummy tuck, or any big surgery.
It preps your lymphatic system
What I tell my clients who want pre-op: number one, it preps your lymphatic system. Number two, it makes the post-op part of your life less painful, with less swelling.
Your lymphatic system is what clears swelling after surgery. Getting it moving before surgery means it's already warmed up and ready for the job.
I see it in my office: clients who come in before surgery tend to have a less painful recovery with less swelling than clients I meet for the first time after surgery.
It calms your nervous system
Surgery is a big deal, even when you're excited about it. A lot of women walk in anxious, not sleeping, and running on adrenaline.
Going into surgery more relaxed can make the whole experience feel less overwhelming. Tranquila: relax. Your body has a big job coming up, and it does better when it's not stuck in fight-or-flight.
It releases tension before recovery adds more
After surgery, you'll be hunched over, sleeping in weird positions, and walking bent forward for days or weeks. Your back, neck, hips, and shoulders take the hit.
A pre-op massage works out the tension you're already carrying, so you're not stacking new tightness on top of old knots. ¡Qué alivio! What a relief.
I get to know your body before it changes
What I tell my clients: I love seeing you before surgery, because I learn what your body feels like. Your tissue, your posture, where you hold stress, any old scars.
So when you come back after surgery, I already know your baseline. I can tell what's swelling, what's fibrosis, and what was there before.
And you get to know me. The first post-op session feels a lot less scary when you already trust the person working on you.
What a pre-op massage is (and isn't)
A pre-op massage is not the same as a post-op session. Before surgery, your tissue is healthy, so along with lymphatic work, I can go deeper and use more advanced bodywork on tight areas.
After surgery, everything changes. Your tissue is healing, and the work becomes gentle lymphatic drainage and, later, scar tissue release.
When to book it
I like to see you within the week or two before surgery. It's also the perfect time to book your post-op sessions, so your spot is ready when you can comfortably ride in a car.
Ojo, watch out: tell me about any medications, supplements, or health changes before your session, and follow anything your surgeon tells you to stop. Your surgeon's instructions always come first.
Here's your chisme for today: use your pre-op session to ask me everything. What to buy, how your faja should fit, how to set up your recovery space. You'll go home with a plan, cuerpo y mente: body and mind.
Want the full game plan?
My book walks you through recovery from the very beginning, including how to prepare before surgery.
If you're in Sacramento and planning surgery, I'd love to see you before and after.
Not local? Reach out to me for a private consult over Zoom (small fee).
I'm a Certified Massage Therapist (CAMTC No. 39170), not a doctor. This post is for education, not medical advice. Always follow your surgeon's instructions.
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