MLD is the best way to heal after surgery.
MLD (manual lymphatic drainage) massage is renowned for speeding up your recovery process after vaser liposuction. It has been around for decades and plastic surgeons recommend it as a basic method for treating postoperative swelling and tissue damage. Research (Casas & DePoli 1999) shows that MLD post surgery speeds up your healing from 9 to 18 months down to 6 weeks to 3 months with. Layer on top of this that we also use Deep Oscillation where appropriate and your results are even better.
The lymphatic system is a tissue network. It comprises lymphatic vessels and ducts, lymphoid organs (spleen, liver and kidneys, lymphatic nodes, thymus and tonsils), and lymphoid tissue. There’s more detail on this below.
Simply put, it is part of the immune system that helps fight infection. Its primary function is to transfer fluid containing white blood cells through the body.
Your lymphatic system then defends your body from diseases by removing foreign bodies such as germs and toxins, as well as unwanted cells or bacteria.It’s essentially the skip for the body, removing most of the waste.
The system doesn’t have a pump so manual lymphatic massage stimulates our lymphatic system to work at its optimum level by manually pumping the fluid towards its excretion points. We may also use deep oscillation therapy during your mld appointment, or ultrasonic cavitation if your therapist deems this to be the best course of action for your healing goals.
Karen Botha
Co-Owner and MLD specialist
MLD
Questions & Answers
What are its main advantages?
MLD massage sessions have tremendous benefits that have been clinically shown to accelerate patient recovery time and stimulate the drainage of essential fluids after vaser liposuction.
Here are just a few of the key benefits:
IMPROVING YOUR HEALING PROCESS: In just six sessions, you’ll see a noticeable difference in swelling, bruising, inflammation, and improved immune cell transport.
IMPROVE SKIN TEXTURE: Using gentle massage techniques to improve blood circulation, reduce lumps, and then improve overall skin texture, this is the best way to ensure that you are satisfied with the result after surgery.
RELIEVE PAIN: MLD massage stimulates your immune system to work a little faster, by pumping and making small movements to reduce tactile sensitivity. It is recommended to plan your MLD massage sessions in advance of yoru surgery to better treat swelling and inflammation.
Safe & Pleasant!
With few known complications or contraindications, treatment is not only completely safe, but also a pleasant experience.
We encourage you to chat with us as your chosen therapist to discuss how many sessions you require according to your individual case. Usually, surgeons suggest 4 to 12 sessions, but this number may vary depending on the area treated and the progress after each session. We will continue monitoring along with your surgeon. And although we are not doctors, we are qualified in MLD and post surgery massage and have been doing this for a long time. So, we have some pretty good diagnostic skills and can help guide you when to speak to your surgeon.
You’re likely to see benefits if not immediately, certainly shortly after each session. If you want to get the best possible results from your vaser liposuction, contact Karen today to arrange your personalised package.
How many treatments should I receive?
Surgeons encourage patients after vaser liposuction to undergo at least six MLD massages for the larger body surface area and this should begin within the first few days after surgery.
We use gentle hand movements. We can use light because we don’t need to work as deep as the muscle. Your lymphatic system lies just under the skin’s surface. During MLD throughout your entire body to promote movement and drainage of lymph fluid and stimulate lymph nodes.
We apply this light pressure to deliver the right amount of fluid that flows smoothly through the lymphatic system. MLD massage helps patients achieve optimal results with a shorter recovery period. It also benefits individuals both mentally and physically.
In addition to the gentle and pleasant procedure, patients can have maximum confidence that they are in good hands and take all necessary measures to ensure a speedy recovery. We are experienced in post surgery massage.
MLD massage
So, this lymph system has many functions.Maintaining fluid levels in the body: The lymphatic system collects the accumulation of excess fluid. This concentration drains from cells and tissues throughout the body and returns it into the bloodstream. This is then returned to be filtered in your liver and kidneys and then expelled through your urine via your urinary system.
Absorbs fats from the digestive tract: Lymph contains fluids from the intestine that contain fats and proteins and carries them back into the bloodstream.
Protect your body from foreign invaders: The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It produces and releases lymphocytes (white blood cells) and other immune cells that control and then destroy foreign invaders (such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi) that can enter the body.
Carries and removes toxic waste products and abnormal lymph cells to avoid disturbances in your body’s functioning.
Post lipo care
After a vaser liposuction or other surgical procedure, lymphatic fluid surrounds the area like a pillow to protect it while natural healing occurs. However, as we are all unique, the time it takes can vary from person to person, and sometimes fluid and excess biological material can get trapped, resulting in hard, uneven areas.
Most of this is fat, a little like you’d see in the genetic condition, ‘metachromatic leukodystrophy metachromatic leukodystrophy’, which are unsighly fat deposits which create a visible uneven surface under your skin. The onset of this can be rapid and symptoms include discomfort and pain in the area of hardening.
This is easily moved with manual therapy, but it’s important to catch this early f metachromatic leukodystrophyor the best possible cosmetic results. We often combine lymphatic massage with the use of our deep oscillation machine which further enhances the effectiveness of lymph drainage.
MLD helps to remove stagnant lymphatic fluid by distributing all hardness and helping the flow of excess fluid and its contents to remove it to the lymphatic system.
Most people who have Vaser liposuction experience some mild to moderate side effects. It is therefore imperative that you follow up surgical procedures by using a healthcare professional specialising in these skills. We can access and resolve potential complications as they arise.
Post Gynecomastia care
Any massage improves the flow of blood around our body. So, if you’ve had surgery such as gynecomastia where there are incision points and flesh being cut and resewn, then this can decrease your chances of the flesh dying post transplantation. Healthy circulation is important for cells to get the nutrition they need to heal and reform skin in an alternative location. If you’d like to book the red light therapy, then you can do this at each session (London).
MLD
What are the parts of the lymphatic system?
The lymphatic system include:
Lymph: Lymph, also called lymphatic fluid, is a buildup of extra fluid that drains from cells and tissues (which is not absorbed into the capillaries) and other substances. Other substances include proteins, minerals, fats, nutrients, damaged cells, cancer cells, and foreign invaders (bacteria, viruses, etc.). Lymph also carries white blood cells (lymphocytes) that fight infection.
Lymph nodes: Lymph nodes are bean-shaped glands that control and purify lymph as it seeps through The nodes filter out damaged cells and cancer cells. These lymph nodes also make and store lymphocytes and other immune system cells that attack and destroy bacteria and other harmful substances in the fluid.
You have about 600 lymph nodes spread throughout your body. Some exist as a single node; others are closely related groups called strings. Some of the most well-known lymph node sites are in the armpit, groin, and neck. Lymph nodes connect to each other through lymphatic vessels.·
Lymph vessels: Lymph vessels are the network of capillaries (microvessels) and a large network of tubes throughout the body that carry lymph away from tissues. Lymph vessels build up and filter lymph (in the nodes) as they continue to move into larger vessels called collection channels. These vessels work much like veins; they work at very low pressure and have a series of valves to move fluid in one direction.
Collection ducts: Lymph vessels empty lymph into the right lymph duct and left lymphatic duct (also called the chest duct). These channels connect to the subclavian vein, which returns lymph into the bloodstream. The subclavian vein passes under the collarbone. The return of lymph into the bloodstream helps maintain normal blood volume and pressure.
It also prevents excess fluid buildup around the tissue (called edema). The lymphatic vessels absorb extra fluids that drain from cells and tissues, go into the collection channels and are returned to the bloodstream through the subclavian vein. The lymphatic system collects excess fluid that drains from cells and tissues throughout the body and returns it to the bloodstream, which is then returned through the body.
Spleen: This larger lymphoid organ is located on the left side below the ribs and above the stomach. The spleen filters and stores blood and produces white blood cells that fight infection or disease.
Thymus: This organ is located in the upper chest, below the sternum. Ripens a certain type of white blood cell that repels foreign organisms.
Tonsils and polyps: These lymphoid organs capture pathogens from the food you eat and the air you breathe. You are your body’s first line of defense against foreign invaders.
Bone marrow: This is the soft, spongy tissue in the middle of certain bones, such as the hip bone and sternum. White blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets are made in the bone marrow.
Peyer’s patches: These are small amounts of lymphoid tissue in the mucosa that lines the small intestine. These lymphoid cells monitor and destroy bacteria in the gut.
Appendix: The appendix contains lymphoid tissue that can destroy bacteria before they pass through the intestinal wall during absorption. Scientists also believe that the appendix plays a role in the absorption of the “good bacteria” and in the repopulation of our intestines with good bacteria after eliminating the infection.
MLD massage
Checklist
How you can help yourself
After your surgery it’s great if you can do some exercise. We don’t advise going to the gym, your body needs to heal, but walking is a great way to support your healing. The movement shifts the buildup of toxins along your lymphatic system which means the work we then do is more effective. Disclaimer; if you’re having difficulty with any exercise, listen to your body.
Don’t panic. Following surgery, you’ll find that some of your nerves in your skin are dulled or even now numb. Typically it takes a good few monhts for the sensation to return and whilst MLD is great for ensuring your body doesn’t have a deficiency in any area, including your nervous system, it’s also important to understand that sometimes our body just needs time to rebuild.
My skin is sagging post surgery
If it’s been a few months since you’ve had your procedure and you’re feeling like there is a delay in your skin getting back to normal, you can tighten skin with radiofrequency. Being an all round specialist in post liposuction and post surgery care, we have invested in a radio frequency (RF) machine that is top of the range.
We’ve written an article on how this works.
There are a number of factors that affect your skin’s performance. The darker your skin, the quicker it will spring back, the same with age. And also drinking, smoking and drugs in general impairs skin re-development.
What does the lymphatic system do, why do we need to support it with MLD?
The lymphatic system is a network of tissues, vessels, and organs that work together to transport a colorless, watery fluid called lymph back into the circulatory system (bloodstream).
About 20 litres of plasma flows through the body’s arteries and smaller arteriolar blood vessels and capillaries every day. After the delivery of nutrients to the cells and tissues of the body and the absorption of their waste products, about 17 litres are returned to circulation through the veins.
We filter the remaining three litres through the capillaries and enter the body tissue. The lymphatic system collects this excess fluid, now called lymph, from the body’s tissues and moves it further until it finally returns to the bloodstream.
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