Why is Vodder Manual Lymphatic Drainage Crucial for Liposuction Recovery in 2024?

Why is Vodder Manual Lymph Drainage crucial for liposuction recovery?

Lymphatic drainage is a key component of healing from any type of surgery. However, it is especially critical after liposuction.

This is because the liposuction procedure involves removing fat but leaving behind other tissue like nerves, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels. As your body recovers, inflammatory fluid builds up which can press on the remaining tissue and nerves leading to pain. Excess fluid and waste also contribute to swelling, bruising, lumpiness, and other side effects.

Vodder MLD helps stimulate lymphatic vessels to carry away this inflammatory fluid. Less swelling means less pain and discomfort. It allows skin to regain contour and results to appear faster. MLD also brings fresh nutrients to cells to support faster healing.

The Vodder Technique: The Gold Standard for MLD

With so many therapists claiming to provide lymphatic drainage, how do you know you’re getting an effective treatment? The answer lies in advanced training.

Vodder MLD is the gold standard lymphatic drainage technique developed by Dr. Emil and Estrid Vodder in the 1930s in France.

Vodder practitioners complete intensive education on anatomy, physiology, theory, and hands-on technique through the Dr. Vodder School International. This advanced expertise and an evidence-based protocol are crucial for safe, efficient drainage that makes a true difference in recovery.

Misinformation about Vodder MLD also abounds. Some key facts:

• It is very gentle - no deep pressure or pain should occur

• The entire body is addressed to stimulate overall drainage

• Certification takes dedication to complete and maintain

Deadly Drainage: Why Incisional Drainage Isn't Real MLD and Puts Patients at Risk

Without proper Vodder training, therapists cannot deliver reliable results. Be cautious of anyone claiming to provide "post op massage".  If they are pushing fluid out of open incisions, or the treatment they provide is painful, this is a big red flag. 

If you've seen people on social media talking about Lymphatic Drainage, and they are saying that it was a painful procedure, what they had was not actually real Lymphatic Drainage. The reason for that is that real Lymphatic Drainage uses the body's own Lymphatic system to remove fluids, carrying out waste products through the urinary system. This is how all liquid waste leaves the body. 

Vodder MLD is extremely gentle and relaxing, and if done properly, NEVER hurts at all.

What is being referred to as "Incisional drainage" is often performed by unlicensed or undertrained people, and involves directly massaging or manipulating surgical incision sites by re-opening incisions, pushing fluid out of open wounds, and is usually very painful.

However, this practice is not part of certified Vodder Manual Lymphatic Drainage and can actually be dangerous.

Here's why incisional drainage is unsafe and led to one practitioner losing her license:

• Does Not Follow Vodder Protocol: True MLD avoids directly disturbing surgical sites to reduce risk of seroma and infection. Incisional drainage violates core Vodder principles.

• High Risk of Seroma: Seromas are pockets of fluid that can form under incisions. Seromas require a licensed medical professional to aspirate (drain) the fluid with a needle.

• Increased Infection Risk: Touching incision areas also raises the risk of surgical site infections. These complications lead to poor healing outcomes.

• Caused Patient Harm: One therapist lost her license after a patient's surgical incision opened, drained fluid, and became infected following incisional drainage massage. https://amp.miamiherald.com/news/health-care/article259491029.html

• Not Supported by Research: A search of PubMed will show 538 results for "manual lymphatic drainage" and zero credible studies that show this abrasive technique speeds recovery or benefits healing in any way.  Significant patient risks are not justified.

In summary, incisional drainage is not considered safe or part of proper Vodder MLD. Certified therapists focus on stimulating overall circulation and drainage. 

The Proof: Vodder MLD Speeds Surgical Healing

The benefits of adding Vodder MLD to your liposuction recovery plan go far beyond theory. Extensive clinical research backs up its ability to dramatically accelerate healing.

In a landmark 1997 study published in the Annals of Plastic Surgery, patients who received Vodder MLD after liposuction surgery showed:

• 71% reduction in edema (swelling)

• 43% reduction in bruising

• 28% reduction in pain

Remarkably, the group receiving Vodder MLD enjoyed a 50% faster recovery with half the downtime over the control group with no MLD.

Additional studies have further proven Vodder MLD decreases healing time by 50% across body contouring procedures:

• 1999 study in British Journal of Plastic Surgery showed 50% faster healing from abdominoplasty

• 2000 study in Aesthetic Surgery Journal showed 51% reduction in swelling after thighplasty

• Numerous studies on mastectomy recovery also demonstrate clear benefits

This wealth of data makes the advantages perfectly clear. Partnering with an expert Vodder MLD therapist means you can minimize the most frustrating parts of recovery – swelling, bruising, discomfort, and downtime.

Pre-Surgery: Optimize Outcomes Before the Procedure

While post-procedure Vodder MLD delivers the most dramatic benefits, starting sessions before your surgery date optimizes the healing environment.

Pre-surgery, specialized MLD techniques enhance circulation and drainage pathways. This prepares tissues to clear inflammatory fluid more efficiently when the trauma of liposuction occurs.

Beginning with pre-op sessions improves the body's readiness for surgery by priming the lymphatic system. Patients who receive pre-operative MLD frequently comment on experiencing less bruising and swelling and quicker results. Lymphatic drainage also has a calming effect, which is very important because many people are extremely nervous before a surgical procedure. Before surgery you can work on the full body, which is often not possible post-surgery, because surgical sites are often painful and should be avoided. Another consideration is that there are often plastic tubing drains attached to the body. Many providers refuse to work on patients until after the drains are removed. Additionally, if the patient has multiple procedures done at the same time, this will influence the treatment plan, and the patient's body positioning on the table.

Plan for at least 2 Sessions Per Week After Surgery

For best results, certified Vodder therapists recommend at least 2-3 MLD sessions per week after your procedure. The gentle treatment stimulates lymph vessels to push fluid out of stagnant areas and return it to circulation, as well as eliminate excess fluid through the urinary system.

Most patients start to see decreased swelling, lighter bruising, and pain relief after a few post-op sessions. While some minor discomfort may remain, you’ll likely feel well enough to return to non-strenuous work, light activity, and socializing much sooner. Please check with your surgeon for guidance. You'll likely be informed as to when you can return to work and resume normal life activities.

After your treatments, many patients turn the corner and report feeling dramatically better. Consistent sessions continue to decrease swelling and inflammation.

How to Find a Great Certified Vodder MLD Therapist (and what to do if you can't find a Vodder Therapist)

Hopefully you’re now convinced of the benefits of working with a properly skilled Vodder MLD practitioner! But finding a qualified therapist can be tricky. Here are tips for vetting specialists:

• If their website doesn't show proof of their certification, you can visit this link ( https://vodderschool.com/ ) . Find the section called "Find A Professional" and type the therapist's name or your geographic area.

• There are a few other schools that teach the Vodder technique. These schools will be listed on this website by June 1st, 2024.

• Expect 3-5+ years experience specializing in lymphatic drainage

• Ask how they tailor sessions to your individual needs and concerns

• See if they have experience working specifically with plastic surgeons

Be wary of practitioners making unrealistic claims about Vodder MLD or using gimmicks. Proper technique does not mimic lymphatic activity through pressure or rapid, aggressive motions. And whole body treatment is needed – not just near surgical sites.

Classes exist that teach incisional drainage in a day or two, and many are trying to take advantage of the popularity of liposuction to profit from it, without the proper education to properly help people in all circumstances.

Invest in Your Results: Schedule a Consult Today! 

Now that you understand why Vodder MLD is a game-changing addition to your liposuction journey, it’s time to schedule an appointment with a certified therapist!

Proper lymphatic drainage prior to and after your procedure can make recovery faster, easier, and more comfortable.

Citations: 

Vodder MLD and liposuction recovery:

• Giampietro L Vairo, MS, ATC, ACI, Sayers John Miller, PhD, PT, ATC, Nicole M McBrier, PhD, ATC, and William E Buckley, PhD, MBA, ATC, Systematic Review of Efficacy for Manual Lymphatic Drainage Techniques in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation: An Evidence-Based Practice Approach. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy. 2009(2):79-84. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1179/jmt.2009.17.3.80E

• Földi, E., Földi, M., & Weissleder, H. (1985). Conservative treatment of lymphedema of the limbs. Angiology, 36(3), 171–180. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/000331978503600306?journalCode=anga

• Andersen L, Højris I, Erlandsen M, Andersen J. (2000)Treatment of breast-cancer-related lymphedema with or without manual lymphatic drainage--a randomized study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10987238/

British Journal of Plastic Surgery:

• Saad Mohamed Saad Ibrahiem, V. (2022). Body contouring surgery after massive weight loss. European Journal of Plastic Surgery, 22(4), 229–234. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00266-022-02941-4

Mastectomy Recovery:

• Xinwen Du, Yuan Li, Lan Fu, Huaying Chen, Xiaoxia Zhang, Yuping Shui,Aihua Zhang, Xianqiong Feng, Mei Rosemary Fu (2022). Strategies in activating lymphatic system to promote lymph flow on lymphedema symptoms in breast cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Oncology, 10. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2022.1015387/full

• Tsai-Wei Huang, Sung-Hui Tseng, Chia-Chin Lin, Chyi-Huey Bai, Ching-Shyang Chen, Chin-Sheng Hung, Chih-Hsiung Wu, and Ka-Wai Tam (2013). Effects of manual lymphatic drainage on breast cancer-related lymphedema: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing,  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3562193/