Post-Surgical Manual Lymphatic Drainage in Virginia Beach, VA
Structured, anatomy-driven lymphatic management beginning at 48 hours post-op — with surgeon clearance — to support swelling management and recovery during the most critical window of healing.
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MLD Treatment Instructions — What to Know
Before Your Appointment
- Arrive with clean, dry skin — no oils, lotions, moisturizers, or makeup on treatment areas
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing
- Do not wear your compression garment to your appointment — Eva will assist with proper application after treatment
- Bring any compression garments you use or have been instructed to wear
- Do not take pain medication 1–2 hours prior unless prescribed — this can mask sensory feedback needed for safe treatment
- Notify your practitioner of any changes to health status, medications, or surgical care
Post-Surgical Patient Requirements
- Required post-operative documentation must be received at least 24 hours before your appointment
- Photographs and measurements are performed in accordance with your signed informed consent
- Treatment plans are determined based on surgical timelines, tissue response, and clinical assessment
Appointment Structure (75 min total)
- ~15 min: Intake review, documentation, measurements, photographs, garment review, treatment planning
- ~60 min: Hands-on Manual Lymphatic Drainage
- Patients should not expect 75 minutes of hands-on treatment time
After Your Session
- Temporary responses may include: increased urination, fatigue, lightheadedness, emotional release, mild soreness, or changes in swelling
- These are expected and generally short-lived
- Stay well hydrated
- Wear compression as instructed
- Follow all post-treatment guidance provided
Contact TheraFlow Health if you experience persistent dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, signs of infection, sudden increase in swelling, or any response that feels unusual. In a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
MLD is a medically guided modality. Booking an appointment does not guarantee eligibility. All treatment decisions are based on clinical assessment, safety considerations, and available documentation.
The fastest path to a smoother recovery
All post-surgical MLD services at TheraFlow Health require documented surgeon or physician clearance prior to your first appointment. Clearance documentation must be received at least 24 hours before your session. This policy ensures your safety and allows Eva to plan treatment around your specific surgical protocol.
After any surgical procedure — liposuction, BBL, tummy tuck, rhinoplasty, mastectomy, breast augmentation, or joint replacement — your lymphatic system is overwhelmed. Without proper drainage, fibrosis (hardened scar tissue) can set in permanently. If fibrosis has already formed, Advanced Scar & Tissue Therapy addresses it directly.
Post-surgical MLD uses precise, light-pressure techniques to manually support lymphatic flow, moving excess fluid back into circulation and out of the body. Sessions are targeted to the surgical site and surrounding drainage pathways.
"MLD may begin as early as 48 hours post-operatively — with surgeon clearance — to support the lymphatic system during the earliest and most critical phase of healing."
— Eva Tutic, CLT CPST, TheraFlow Health
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- Supports the body's fluid pathways as part of postoperative care
- May be included in individualized care, when appropriate for your procedure
- Adapted to your specific procedure and stage of healing
- Supports immune function during recovery
- May help reduce post-operative discomfort
Opens lymphatic pathways, clears fluid congestion, and prepares tissue to accept and maintain compression.
Custom-cut foam placed after MLD to maintain cleared pathways, target fibrotic zones, and create pressure gradients the garment alone cannot achieve.
Sustains physiologic gains between sessions and preserves surgical contour throughout recovery. Neither MLD nor compression works optimally in isolation.
Sessions are 75 minutes: approximately 60 minutes hands-on MLD + 15 minutes clinical documentation, measurement, and home care guidance.
Common procedures we support
- BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift)
- Liposuction & body contouring
- Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
- Breast augmentation & lift
- Rhinoplasty & facial procedures
- Mastectomy & breast reconstruction
- Joint replacement surgery
- C-section recovery
What to expect
- ✓Start as early as 48 hours post-op
- ✓Safe with surgical drains in place
- ✓75 minutes — never rushed
- ✓One therapist, every visit
- ✓Surgeon clearance required
- ✓HSA/FSA accepted
Between sessions
Compression garments, foam applications, scar support, and other recovery tools — all guided by Eva at each visit. Your care does not stop when you leave the room.
View Recovery Essentials →"Eva is a skilled professional who is genuinely invested in your recovery and overall wellness. She's basically a unicorn in Virginia Beach and I'm so lucky I found her!! Her work is gentle yet incredibly effective. I noticed improvement after my very first session — my swelling decreased significantly, my mobility improved and my healing process sped up noticeably. Your results don't stop with your surgeon — Eva's aftercare truly takes you to the next level."
"I have the highest regard for Eva Tutic as a person and a practitioner. She helped me tremendously during a very vulnerable time in my recovery and made the entire process feel safe, supportive, and comfortable. Over the course of my treatments, my swelling was reduced by an incredible 11 cm. Her technique is extremely gentle yet remarkably effective. The atmosphere she creates is warm, inviting, and calming."
Book Post-Surgical MLD in Virginia Beach
The earlier you start, the better your outcome. Book today.
Book Your Session →Call (757) 719-8772Want to go deeper on post-surgical MLD and recovery? Nodes & Notes, our evidence-informed publication written by Eva Tutic, CLT, CPST, LMT, covers topics like this in more detail.
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