Lipoedema Surgery Recovery
Specialist Manual Lymphatic Drainage and practical support before and after lipoedema reduction surgery.
The early stages of recovery can feel intense. You may be swollen, tender and moving slowly while managing leakage, dressings, padding and firm compression.
Appointments at Lymphara are designed around the reality of that recovery, with adapted MLD, practical support and time to help you feel properly looked after rather than rushed.
Appointments designed around early recovery
In the first days and weeks after surgery, MLD is only one part of your recovery support.
Compression garments, dressings and absorbent padding may need to be removed before treatment and reapplied afterwards. You may also need more time to change, move around the treatment room and find a comfortable position.
Depending on your stage of recovery, your appointment may include:
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Around 50 minutes of adapted Manual Lymphatic Drainage
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Deep Oscillation Therapy where appropriate
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Time to remove and reapply compression
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Help managing dressings, padding or absorbent pads
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Comfortable positioning and movement at your own pace
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Review of swelling and recovery
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Progress photographs where useful and with consent
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Guidance around compression, movement and comfort
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Identifying anything that should be raised with your surgical team
Your appointment is structured so both the treatment and practical aspects of recovery can be managed carefully, without rushing you.
Planned around your surgeon's protocol
Lipoedema surgery aftercare varies between surgeons, particularly around when MLD should begin and how frequently it should be carried out.
Before confirming your recovery programme, I’ll review your surgery date and any aftercare guidance provided by your surgeon, then check availability for the full recommended schedule.
Many of the protocols I receive recommend around six to eight appointments, but your plan will always be based on your surgeon’s guidance and how your recovery progresses.
Six-appointment post-op recovery package
Designed for clients who want their early recovery appointments planned in advance around their surgeon’s recommended schedule. The package includes:
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One 90-minute initial post-operative recovery appointment
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Five 75-minute follow-up recovery appointments
Your first recovery appointment
Your first appointment allows extra time to review your surgery, surgeon’s protocol, symptoms and compression needs before treatment begins. It includes:
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Review of your surgery and recovery guidance
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Discussion of symptoms and comfort
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Time to manage compression, dressings and padding
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Progress photographs with consent
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Around 50 minutes of adapted MLD
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Deep Oscillation where appropriate
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Practical guidance for the next stage of recovery
Your follow-up appointments
Your five follow-up appointments are adapted as swelling, tenderness, movement and compression needs change.
Each appointment is adapted to how you are feeling on the day and include:
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Around 50 minutes of adapted MLD
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Time for dressings or padding to be managed
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Review of your progress
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Guidance around movement, comfort and compression
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Clear escalation advice where needed
£590 | 6-appointment package
Additional recovery appointments
If you need further support after your initial package, additional appointments can be added depending on your recovery and availability.
Additional 75-minute appointments are £100 each.
Your needs may change as swelling settles, compression changes and tissues continue to heal, so I won’t automatically recommend more sessions unless they’re actually useful.
Reserving your appointments
If your surgeon has provided a recommended MLD schedule, I’ll try to reserve the full course in advance so your recovery appointments are spaced appropriately.
Because post-operative slots can fill quickly, particularly at busy times of year, it’s best to get in touch as soon as your surgery date is confirmed.
Pre-operative preparation appointment
This optional 80-minute appointment is designed to support your body before surgery, using Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Deep Oscillation where appropriate to encourage lymphatic flow and prepare the tissues ahead of lymph-sparing liposuction.
There’s also time to talk through what the first few days of recovery may feel like, how post-op MLD usually fits around your surgeon’s plan, and any questions you may want to take back to your surgical team.
Your surgeon’s own guidance on compression, garments and aftercare will always take priority.
£100 | 80 minutes
Izzy S, Cheltenham
“If you’re recovering from surgery or looking for someone who truly cares about your wellbeing, you’re in excellent hands."
Emma S, Broadway
"Following two major lipoedema surgeries back-to-back, I had the privilege of working closely with Rachel throughout my recovery."
Emma H, London
“Being able to check in with Rachel during my recovery was so beneficial for my first post op experience ”
Extra support when you need it
Recovery does not always go exactly to plan, and sometimes something comes up that needs more than MLD or hands-on treatment.
If anything falls outside my scope, I can help you understand the appropriate next step and, where suitable, signpost you to trusted local clinicians.
That may include support from a nurse for wound concerns or a radiologist if there is a suspected seroma or another issue that needs further assessment.
I do not diagnose or replace your surgical or medical team, but I can help you recognise when something should be escalated.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to plan your recovery?
Complete the enquiry form with your surgery date, surgeon and the areas being treated. I’ll review the details, check availability around your recommended recovery schedule and come back to you with the most appropriate next step.
