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Preparing for surgery · South Berkeley
Manual Lymph Drainage Before Surgery. Call me while there is time to plan.
A lot of people find me after surgery, when they are swollen, uncomfortable, and worried. That is not too late. But if you know your surgery date now, call me now. We can talk through the plan, do some work beforehand, and book your recovery appointments before you are tired, sore, and trying to manage everything at once.
- Ideal timing
- 2 to 6 weeks before
- Why
- Less swelling, calmer start
- Also covers
- Booking recovery in advance
- First step
- A free phone call with me
Why it matters
Your body does not know why surgery is happening.
You know why you are having surgery. Your body does not. It simply knows that something happened, and it responds by swelling, tightening, and going on alert.
That is why I like to see you beforehand. We can help your body settle, get the lymph moving, and give you a calmer place to start from.
We also take care of the practical part. Your recovery appointments are booked before surgery, while you still have the time and energy to make decisions. After surgery, you do not have to start looking for someone while you are sore and uncomfortable. Your time with me is already held.
What we do beforehand
We make a plan that fits your surgery and recovery.
You probably do not need a complicated plan. We will talk through what you are having done, what your body may need, and how often it makes sense for me to see you.
Get things moving
Before surgery, I help your lymph move well through the routes your body will rely on after the area has been disrupted.
Help your body settle
The work gives your nervous system a chance to settle before surgery. That matters on its own, and it may also help with healing.
Focus on scar tissue
If your surgeon plans to cut through an old scar during surgery, I will work on that tissue beforehand. This comes up often with repeat abdominal or chest surgery.
Plan what happens next
We go over when to restart after surgery, based on the procedure and what your surgeon has told you, so you are not left guessing.
Book it now
We book your recovery appointments before your surgery date. You will be glad the time is already held when you need it.
Answer your questions
We cover what to expect, what is normal, and when the right call is to your surgeon.
When to call
Call me as soon as you know your surgery date.
Two to six weeks out is the sweet spot.
A few weeks beforehand gives us more room, but you do not need to wait for the perfect time. If your surgery is close, call me anyway. We can still talk through the plan and decide what is useful now.
And if the surgery has already happened, call me then. You have not done anything wrong by finding me late. A lot of people do.
Please bring the written instructions from your surgeon, especially anything about compression, movement, or restrictions. I want to work from what they actually told you, not guess.
Worth saying plainly
What MLD doesn’t do.
It cannot promise an easy recovery
Every body, surgery, and surgeon is different. Preparing beforehand can help, but it cannot promise how your recovery will go.
It does not take your surgeon’s place
I work within your surgeon’s instructions. If they tell you something different from what you read here, follow what they told you.
Preparation is not required
Many people first call me after surgery and do very well. Preparing beforehand can help, but you do not have to.
It cannot rush healing afterward
Preparing beforehand does not mean we can do more, sooner, after surgery. Your body still needs time to heal.
Before you call
A few things people ask me before surgery.
How often should I see you before surgery?
There is no set number. It depends on what you are having done, your health history, and what your body needs. We will make that decision together.
Should I book my recovery appointments now?
Yes. Please book them before surgery. Two to six weeks out is the sweet spot. Then your time is already held, and you are not trying to find an appointment while you are sore, tired, and already making a lot of decisions.
Can I come the day before surgery?
Usually, yes. The day before can be a very good time to help your body settle. Check with your surgeon if they have given you any special restrictions. Set up a call, and we will figure it out together.
Do I need to ask my surgeon first?
Usually not for work before surgery. For afterward, I want to know what your surgeon has said about timing, compression, movement, and restrictions.
Is this only for cosmetic surgery?
No. This can be useful before many kinds of surgery, including joint replacement, cancer surgery, hysterectomy, and gender-affirming surgery. Your body experiences every surgery as an injury. Swelling, scar tissue, and a recovery period are all part of the picture. MLD can support your body through all three.
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The next step
Tell me about your surgery.
Set up a free 15-minute call and tell me what you are having done and when. We will talk about what may help before surgery, when to come back afterward, and anything you need to ask your surgeon. Then we can get your appointments on the calendar before you are trying to manage recovery.