An Effective Treatment to Support Pre-Surgery & Post Op Healing of Elective Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Procedures For the Face and Body
Is there anything that can help the recovery of my Elective Plastic Surgery or Cosmetic Procedure?
Surgery can cause stress on the body and its delicate tissues. The damage to the skin tissue creates blockages which can cause an accumulation of cellular debris in the lymph vessels. That is why one will experience swelling, bruising, and pain in the initial stages after surgery. The post op care of oneself is an essential component after elective surgery or a cosmetic procedure. Proper rest, fluids, healthy diet all play an important role. We offer a complementary manual therapy called Manual Lymph Drainage or MLD. MLD can help to ease post op symptoms, speed up recovery time and contribute to the overall outcome of the surgery.
What is MLD (Manual Lymph Drainage)?
Manual Lymph Drainage is a healthy, natural and effective treatment that helps to restore and revitalize the lymph vessel system. MLD is a gentle skin stretch technique with a systematic series of precise movements that accelerates the re-absorption and elimination of excess fluids via the lymph system. MLD was created in the 1930’s by Dr. Emil Vodder from Austria. He and his wife found that by using a systemic series of movements accessing the lymph system, patients were relieved on congestive conditions. MLD is receiving popularity and is widely used by plastic surgeons and the health care community in both Europe and Latin America.
What Elective Surgery and Cosmetic Procedures can MLD be used for?
Facelift, Browlift, Neck Lift, Rhinoplasty, Blepharoplasty, Chin Augmentation, Facial Fat Transfer, LipoSuction, Tummy Tuck, Breast Surgery including Augmentation, Reduction and Explantation.
Why is MLD good for my pre-surgery and post-op care?
A healthy lymph system decongests the dermis of the skin by removing excess water, proteins, fats and cellular debris that has not been removed by the circulatory system. When using MLD before surgery, it helps to clean debris from the lymph vessel system to prepare the skin tissue and relax you before surgery. For post op or after surgery, MLD redirects trapped fluid into healthy lymph vessels and nodes for efficient drainage. MLD also allows for fresh nutrients such as oxygen, vitamins and mineral to nourish the cells, while reducing swelling and bruising, reducing fibrosis, helps in the scarring process and alleviates pain and speeds up recovery time.
If you need to get back to work faster, are a celebrity or a high profile person, experiencing slow healing or excessive swelling, have past or present lifestyle factors that may inhibit your rate of healing, or you just feel you can benefit from the support and relaxation to enhance your recovery period, then this therapy is for you.
What are the Benefits of MLD?
- Minimize discomfort of a surgery or procedure. MLD speeds up healing by one third to one half the normal healing time. This means shorter recovery time and resuming normal activities sooner.
- Minimize bruising, swelling, reduces fibrosis that leads to scar formation
- Pain reduction is significant. MLD is a natural analgesic.
- Hematomas that may result with heal more quickly
- Reduction in excess fluid from the tissues as a pre op can reduce risk of infection post operatively
- Provides a support system and education of the post op healing process
- Increase relaxation and immune functioning will aid in recovery.
- Reduced puffiness creates a smooth, slim contoured effect of the skin.
What to expect during a session?
First, the doctor will make a recommendation or you can elect to have this complementary therapy. Upon coming in for an MLD session, your therapist will give a brief description of what the work will involve. Techniques and start times are modified for type of surgery and where you are in the healing process. For example; individuals who have a facelift, MLD can start next day only working on the neck and building up over time to include parts of the face, but this may vary for other procedures. For body procedures, most clients come in 7- 10 days post op or when they are feeling comfortable to be mobile, or with doctor's recommendation.
Therapist uses flat, soft hands using gentle pumping action. No oil or lotion is used. Sessions can start at 15 to 20 min for first few and build up over time to 45 to 60 min. Most clients will feel lighter, relaxed and sleepy and this helps to normalize and balance the body, assisting the healing process. Your therapist will inform you of what you may experience when you go home. Increasing water consumption will be required before and after sessions. The treatment will not hurt and is not a traditional massage. MLD is a light specialized skin treatment that uses repetitive rhythmic movements and pressure is similar to weight of a nickel lying on the skin.
How many sessions?
This work is most beneficial with consistent sessions. For maximum results, at least 1 pre-op session is recommend and 5 to 10 post op treatments. Dependent on type of surgery or procedure you doctor and MLD therapist will determine start time and how many sessions will benefit you. You will also need to come in every 2 or 3 days in early stages of healing to receive the effectiveness of this treatment and then slowly decreasing frequency. The lymph re-circulates every 24 to 48 hours. Most individual can benefit from 6-12 sessions over a period of 2-3 weeks, starting with more session and slowing decreasing over time.
Do I have any health issues that would not make me a candidate for this work?
Yes, there are Absolute and Relative contraindications of MLD.
When you come in for a treatment your MLD therapist will have you fill out a 1 page intake form. If you have any of the listed contraindications, the therapist will determine whether that means you are not able to receive the work or techniques may need to be omitted or modified.
How much does MLD cost?
Because MLD is a very specialized treatment that requires extensive training and understanding of the lymph system functioning. MLD achieves results in a short time frame and will help you recover faster. MLD can be received as a single session or a package series of 3, 6, or 12 sessions. Please inquire about rates. Packages receive a discount.
CONTACT
Please email jenhoano@gmail.com or call 818 522 0417 for more info.
When calling for a consult, knowing the type of procedure, how many days post op, current symptoms. Cost is based on proximity and duration.
Best to reach out a week ahead of time if you want certain dates.
I require you book a package of 5 minimum for face to see the benefits of the work.
For body 3 to 6 sessions. But best to work over a few week period to see the results.