CARE BEYOND THE TABLE
You're Not Alone in Your Recovery
Recovery comes with questions, and those questions can change as your body heals. At Align, our support extends beyond your time on the treatment table. We're here to offer knowledgeable, practical guidance as you navigate the changing needs of recovery with confidence.
01
Practical Support Between Sessions
Recovery doesn't stop when you leave the treatment room. We're here to help you make sense of questions around positioning, comfort, and the day-to-day changes you may encounter as your body heals.
02
Compression Support
Compression can be one of the more confusing parts of recovery. We can help with practical questions around garment fit, padding, comfort, and adjustments as your needs change.
03
A Trained Eye Along the Way
Post-operative bodies can change quickly. We're trained to pay close attention to changes in the tissues, and to recognize when something warrants pausing treatment and checking back in with your medical team.
WHAT POST-OP CARE LOOKS LIKE
A Gentle Approach to Post-Surgical Care
Lymphatic drainage after surgery doesn't need to be painful to be effective. Our approach uses gentle, precise techniques designed to support fluid movement while respecting healing tissues and your surgeon's instructions.
Especially early in recovery, treatment should feel calm and comfortable. Bruising, aggressive pressure, reopening incisions, and draining fluid through surgical incisions are not part of our approach to lymphatic care.
HOW LYMPHATIC CARE MAY HELP
Support Throughout Recovery
After surgery, swelling, discomfort, and changes in movement can make your body feel unfamiliar. Post-operative lymphatic care can help you navigate those changes with gentle, individualized support.
Swelling + Fluid Movement
Gentle lymphatic techniques encourage fluid movement and can support the management of post-surgical swelling.
Changing Tissue Needs
As swelling subsides and connective tissue continues to remodel, care may begin to shift toward scar tissue mobilization and addressing fascial adhesions when appropriate.
Comfort + Movement
As swelling and tenderness change, care can support greater comfort with movement, positioning, and everyday activities.
A Calmer Recovery Experience
Recovery can be physically and emotionally demanding. A gentle, attentive session can offer space to slow down, reconnect with your body, and feel supported through the process.
CARE THAT EVOLVES WITH YOU
From Surgery Through Recovery
Your needs after surgery can change considerably as your body heals. Rather than following a rigid protocol, we adapt your care to where you are in the recovery process—while respecting your surgeon's guidance along the way.
01
Early Recovery
Early care centers around gentle lymphatic drainage, comfort, and supporting fluid movement as your body responds to surgery. We work carefully around healing tissues and within the restrictions provided by your surgical team.
02
As Healing Progresses
As swelling and tenderness change, so can your sessions. Care may continue to include lymphatic drainage while gradually incorporating tissue mobility, compression support, and attention to how your body is moving and feeling.
03
Later Recovery
As healing progresses, care may shift toward scar tissue mobilization, addressing fascial adhesions when present, and improving mobility in areas that continue to feel tight or restricted. This later-stage work can support greater comfort and ease with everyday movement.
POST-OP CARE FOR DIFFERENT PROCEDURES
Support Across Many Types of Surgery
Post-operative care isn't limited to one type of procedure. We work with clients recovering from cosmetic, oncology-related, orthopedic, and other surgeries—adapting care to the procedure, stage of healing, and individual needs.
Cosmetic + Reconstructive
Liposuction · Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) · Breast lift · Breast implants + fat transfer · Facelift · En bloc capsulectomy
Oncology-Related
Double mastectomy · DIEP flap reconstruction · Lymph node procedures · Other cancer-related surgeries
Orthopedic + Other Procedures
Total knee or hip replacement · Endometriosis surgery · Lipedema surgery · Other procedures involving post-operative swelling
Don't see your procedure listed? These are just a few examples of the surgeries we commonly work with. Reach out if you're unsure whether post-operative care may be appropriate for you.
BEFORE YOUR SESSION
What to Know About Post-Op Care
Every recovery looks a little different. Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most often about timing, treatment, and what to expect.
When should I schedule my first post-op session? Many clients begin lymphatic care within the first few days after surgery, and some surgeons recommend starting right away. We always respect the timing and restrictions provided by your surgeon. Certain procedures may require additional precautions. At Align, for example, we wait at least 72 hours after a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) before beginning post-operative care. More complex procedures may also require specific guidance or clearance from your surgical team. If you're unsure when to begin, reach out before booking and we'll help you determine the appropriate next step.
How often should I receive post-op lymphatic care? Frequency depends on your procedure, how your body is healing, and any recommendations provided by your surgeon. A common starting point is two to three sessions per week during the first couple of weeks, when swelling and tissue changes can be most active. From there, care can become less frequent and evolve alongside your recovery. Some clients continue beyond the initial post-surgical period as their goals shift from managing swelling and discomfort toward restoring tissue mobility, addressing scars or restriction, and returning comfortably to everyday activity. We’ll help you adjust the frequency and focus of your sessions as your needs change.
Should I book a 30 or 60 minute session? We recommend a 60-minute session for most post-op clients. This gives us time to check in on how your recovery is progressing, provide treatment, and address questions around things like compression, positioning, or other changes you may be navigating during recovery. A 30-minute session may be appropriate for smaller or more localized procedures, particularly some facial procedures. If you're unsure which session length is right for you, reach out and we're happy to help you choose.
Does post-op lymphatic drainage hurt? Post-op lymphatic drainage should not be painful. Manual Lymphatic Drainage uses gentle, precise techniques that work with the lymphatic system without aggressive pressure on healing tissues. Especially early in recovery, we adjust each session to your comfort level and stage of healing. Bruising, intense pressure, or “pushing through” pain are not signs that lymphatic drainage is working, and they are not part of our approach at Align.
Do you reopen incisions or perform incisional drainage? No. We do not reopen incisions or intentionally drain fluid through surgical incisions. Our approach uses gentle, non-invasive lymphatic techniques to support fluid movement while respecting healing tissues. If your surgeon has provided specific wound-care instructions, those should remain under the guidance of your surgical team. Our role is to support your recovery without disrupting the healing process.
Do I need clearance from my surgeon? Not always. Many surgeons recommend lymphatic drainage as part of their post-operative care and provide guidance about when to begin. If your surgeon has given you specific instructions or restrictions, we'll always work within those recommendations. For certain procedures or more complex recoveries, we may ask for additional guidance or clearance before beginning treatment. This is more common with some oncology-related or reconstructive surgeries. If you're unsure, reach out before your appointment and we'll help you determine what information may be needed.
When can we begin working with scars or fibrosis? Scar and fascial work should begin when the tissues are ready—not simply because a certain number of days have passed. We look at how your incisions are healing, the condition and texture of the tissues, your stage of recovery, and how your body responds before gradually introducing more direct techniques. In general, scar work becomes more appropriate once incisions are fully closed and there are no signs of infection. Techniques can then progress from very gentle tissue mobilization to more focused scar and fascial work as healing continues. And scar tissue doesn't have to be new to benefit from attention. We also work with clients months, or even years, after surgery when scars, fibrosis, tightness, or restricted movement continue to be concerns.