It is normal to feel discomfort and swelling after an invasive plastic surgery procedure. However, excessive amounts of swelling can be addressed with post-plastic surgery care. At H&D Pivotal Physical Therapy, we use manual lymphatic drainage techniques to decrease swelling in the body and help patients feel relief from their post-surgical symptoms.
Types of Procedures We Treat
Some examples of plastic surgery procedures we can treat post-surgical symptoms of include:
- Neck or Face Lift
- Abdominoplasty
- Breast Augmentation or Reduction
- Liposuction
- Mastectomy
- Facial Reanimation
What is Lymphatic Drainage?
Lymphatic, or Manual Lymphatic Drainage, is a gentle massage technique designed to help the lymphatic system pull swelling from your tissue into your blood vessels and eventually out of your body. The body will filter your blood via your liver and kidneys. This outflow of fluid allows the body to bring new nutrients into the area. While swelling is normal and integral to bring the building blocks for healing, the body needs to cycle the fluid. When this process stalls, so does the healing. Lymphatic drainage ensures good circulation and improved healing.
Why Physical Therapy After Cosmetic or Plastic Surgery?
Physical therapy after cosmetic surgery is focused on lymph drainage and gentle exercises designed to promote circulation, healing, and improve range of motion. Some patients may need scar mobilization to achieve their full range of motion. We will perform these techniques on a case by case basis depending on your stage of recovery and surgeon’s recommendation. At Pivotal we want to shorten your recovery period and return you to a normal lifestyle.
Why Physical Therapy After Surgery or Radiation?
The reasons for a mastectomy, with or without breast reconstruction surgery, can be traumatic. We understand the pain, discomfort, and limitations you experience post-surgery or radiation. Physical Therapy can address the post-surgical symptoms and functional deficits. Post-surgical symptoms may include pain, scarring, loss of range of motion to your upper extremities, or neck and trunk.
Radiation therapy has longer, term effects on the body. The irradiated tissue becomes delicate and easily inflamed, and can also become thicker, more fibrotic, and restricted. It is paramount that surgical tissue regains its supple flexibility to perform all essential activities of daily living: dressing, brushing hair, putting on deodorant, reaching up into a cabinet, carrying bags, etc.
Treatment Techniques For Breast Reconstruction
Our therapists use a wide array of techniques including:
- Decrease swelling: Specialized massage may be used to flush out excess edema.
- Manual Therapy: Scar tissue mobilization and myofascial release helps to alleviate or decrease muscle and tissue symptoms.
- Therapeutic exercises: We employ therapeutic exercises to recover muscle strength lost secondary to a mastectomy with the ultimate goal of returning you to pre-surgical strength and function.
- Pilates: Pilates increases flexibility, core strength, corrects muscle imbalances, and improves posture.
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