Frequently Asked Questions
The number of sessions depends on the procedure type, the extent of surgery, and how your body responds to treatment. Most post-surgical clients benefit from between 6 and 12 sessions in the weeks following their procedure, with higher frequency in the first two weeks and reducing frequency as swelling resolves. Your therapist will give you a session recommendation at your first visit based on your specific situation.
Yes, in most cases. When drains are present, technique is adapted to work around them — focusing on the lymphatic pathways above and adjacent to the drain sites rather than directly over them. Your therapist will review drain placement before the session and adjust accordingly.
Mild temporary changes in swelling can occur after a session as fluid redistributes through lymphatic pathways. This typically resolves within a few hours. If you experience significant or prolonged increases in swelling, firmness, or discomfort after a session, contact your surgeon rather than booking another session immediately.
No referral is required. However, we do ask that you share your surgeon’s post-operative instructions with your therapist before the first session so that technique and timing can be aligned with your surgical team’s guidance. If your surgeon has advised against lymphatic massage at a particular stage of recovery, we follow that guidance.
Comfortable, loose clothing that allows access to the treated areas. If you are wearing a compression garment as instructed by your surgeon, your therapist will work with this in mind — advising when to remove and replace it during the session. Avoid tight waistbands or restrictive clothing over surgical sites on the day of your session.