POST-SURGERY CARE
Thoughtful Support Through Your Post-Surgery Recovery
Post-operative recovery can bring swelling, fluid retention, tenderness and changes in how your tissues feel as your body heals.
Specialized post-surgery lymphatic care is tailored to your procedure, stage of healing and your surgeon's instructions, with an emphasis on gentle, appropriate support rather than aggressive treatment.
What Happens After Surgery?
Your Body Is Healing, And Recovery Changes Over Time
Swelling, bruising, fluid shifts and temporary areas of firmness can all occur during post-operative healing.
But recovery isn't identical from person to person.
Your procedure, healing response, compression garments, activity level, medical history and stage of recovery can all influence what your tissues look and feel like.
That's why post-surgery care at Natural Luminance isn't based on an identical protocol for every client.
Your treatment changes as your recovery changes.
How Post-Surgery Care Can Support Your Recovery
Lymphatic Support
Lymphatic Support
Lymphatic Support
Gentle Manual Lymphatic Drainage techniques are used when appropriate to support lymphatic movement during recovery.
Swelling Support
Lymphatic Support
Lymphatic Support
Treatment is adapted to areas of post-operative swelling while respecting healing tissue and surgical precautions.
Tissue Support
Recovery Guidance
Recovery Guidance
As healing progresses, tissue texture and areas of firmness are monitored so treatment can be adjusted appropriately.
Recovery Guidance
Recovery Guidance
Recovery Guidance
I'll help you understand what falls within my scope, when treatment should be modified, and when something needs to be discussed with your surgeon.
More Helpful Information
Concerned About Firm or Hardened Areas?
Firmness after liposuction or other procedures doesn't automatically mean fibrosis.
During recovery, tissues may temporarily feel firm, uneven, swollen or hardened for several reasons. As healing progresses, some clients may also develop areas of persistent tissue restriction or fibrosis.
The appropriate approach depends on what is causing the firmness and where you are in the healing process.
I don't assume every hard area is fibrosis, and I don't aggressively work tissue simply because it feels firm.
When appropriate, treatment may progress beyond gentle lymphatic techniques to supportive tissue work as healing allows. If an area appears inconsistent with routine recovery or raises concern for complication, you'll be referred back to your surgeon or medical provider before treatment continues.
Safe recovery comes before aggressive correction.
Sometimes the Right Treatment Is a Call to Your Surgeon
Post-surgical bodywork isn't a substitute for medical evaluation.
Please contact your surgeon or appropriate medical provider rather than scheduling bodywork for new or concerning symptoms such as significant increasing pain, fever, spreading redness or warmth, drainage suggesting infection, sudden one-sided swelling, shortness of breath, chest pain, or other symptoms your surgeon has instructed you to report.
When I'm unsure whether something is appropriate for treatment, I will ask you to contact your medical provider before proceeding.
What Does a Session Look Like?
Your Post-Surgery Appointment
1. Recovery Review
We discuss your procedure, surgery date, surgeon's instructions, compression, current symptoms and relevant medical history.
2. Visual & Tissue Assessment
Within scope, I observe swelling patterns, tissue condition and how your recovery appears to be progressing.
3. Appropriate Treatment
Early treatment may be primarily gentle lymphatic work. Techniques may evolve as your tissues heal and your recovery progresses.
4. Ongoing Reassessment
Your treatment plan isn't locked in on day one. We reassess throughout recovery and modify care as needed.
5. Referral When Necessary
Anything outside my scope, or concern for a potential complication, goes back to your surgeon or medical provider.
What about compression garments?
Compression Is Not "The Tighter, The Better"
Compression garments, foams and boards may be part of your surgeon's recovery plan, but fit and positioning matter.
Excessive uneven or poorly positioned compression can create pressure points and contribute to discomfort or changes in how tissues feel.
I do not override your surgeon's garment instructions. However, if I observe an area of concern that appears related to compression, I may recommend that you discuss the fit or positioning with your surgeon.
Your surgeon directs your surgical recovery. My role is to support it.
How Often Will I Need Post-Surgery MLD?
There isn't one schedule that is appropriate for every surgery or every client.
Frequency depends on your procedure, stage of recovery, swelling, surgeon's instructions, how your body is responding and how long you're staying locally after surgery.
Some clients need more frequent support early in recovery and gradually decrease frequency as healing progresses.
Single Session
60 Minutes | $85
90Minutes | $135
Post-Surgery Series
Packages of 6- 10 sessions receive 15% savings when a series is appropriate.
New Post-Surgery Client?
Before your first appointment, please be prepared to provide:
- Type of surgery/procedure
- Date of surgery
- Areas treated
- Your surgeon's post-operative instructions
- Information about your compression garment, if applicable
- Relevant medical history and current medications
- Any complications or concerns you've already discussed with your surgeon
Your surgeon's instructions always take priority over recommendations made during your bodywork appointments.
Your Recovery Deserves Individualized Care
No two surgeries, and no two bodies, recover exactly the same way.
Post-surgery care at Natural Luminance is adapted to your procedure, stage of healing and how your body is responding, with your surgeon's medical guidance remaining at the center of your recovery.