Lipoedema Surgery Recovery
Specialist Manual Lymphatic Drainage and practical support before and after lipoedema reduction surgery.
The early stages of recovery can be a shock to the system. You may be swollen, tender and moving slowly while managing leakage, dressings, absorbent padding and firm compression.
Lymphara’s appointments are designed around the reality of that recovery.
Alongside adapted Manual Lymphatic Drainage, there is time to help you manage the practical parts of your appointment, understand how your recovery is progressing and feel properly supported rather than rushed.
Appointments designed around early recovery
In the first days and weeks after surgery, MLD is only one part of the appointment.
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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Time to remove and reapply compression garments
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Managing dressings, padding or absorbent pads before and after treatment
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Moving and positioning at a pace that feels comfortable
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Working carefully around tender or heavily treated areas
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Reviewing your swelling and recovery
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Progress photographs where useful and with your consent
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Discussing compression, movement and comfort
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Identifying anything that should be raised with your surgical team
Your appointment is structured so that the treatment and practical parts of recovery can be managed carefully, without rushing you.
Planned around your surgeon's protocol
Most lipoedema surgery clients are given a referral letter or post-operative protocol from their surgeon.
This will often recommend:
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When MLD should begin
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How frequently appointments should take place
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How many sessions are expected
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Any specific precautions or aftercare instructions
Many of the protocols I currently receive recommend around six to eight appointments.
Before confirming your booking, I will review your surgery date and the information provided by your surgeon. I will then check availability for the full recommended course so that your appointments can be planned at the right frequency.
Six-appointment post-op recovery package - £590
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, discuss how you are feeling and understand the instructions provided by your surgical team.
It may include:
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Review of your surgery and recovery protocol
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Discussion of your current symptoms and comfort
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Time to manage compression, dressings and padding
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Progress photographs with your consent
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Around 50 minutes of adapted MLD
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Practical guidance for the next stage of recovery
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Advice on anything that should be raised with your surgical or medical team
Your follow-up appointments
Your five follow-up appointments continue to support you as your swelling, tenderness, movement and compression needs change.
Each appointment is adapted to how you are feeling on the day and may include:
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Around 50 minutes of adapted MLD
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Help managing compression garments
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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
Additional recovery appointments
Where your surgeon recommends more than six sessions, additional 75-minute appointments are £100 each.
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Six appointments: £590
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Seven appointments: £690
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Eight appointments: £790
The full recommended schedule will be discussed before your programme is confirmed.
Reserving your appointments
Full payment is required to confirm your recovery programme and reserve the agreed appointment schedule.
Where surgery is booked well in advance, split payment may be available by prior agreement.
If your surgery date changes, please let me know as soon as possible. I will do my best to rearrange your appointments, subject to clinic availability.
Pre-operative preparation appointment - £100
This optional appointment (80 minutes) combines pre-operative MLD with practical preparation for your surgery and early recovery.
We can discuss:
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What to expect during the first days after surgery
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Your surgeon’s aftercare instructions
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Compression garments
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Preparing your home
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Arranging practical support
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Movement and positioning after surgery
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Questions to clarify with your surgeon
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Planning your post-operative appointments
Baseline photographs may also be taken where appropriate and with your consent.
The pre-operative appointment is booked separately from the post-operative package.
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
Most recoveries progress without needing anything beyond routine surgical follow-up and post-operative MLD.
However, if something arises that falls outside the scope of your treatment, you will not simply be left to work out who to contact.
I can help you understand the appropriate next step and, where suitable, connect you with trusted local clinicians in my professional network. This includes nurses who can provide appropriate wound or suture support, and a radiologist who can assess and aspirate a suspected seroma where clinically appropriate.
Your surgeon, GP or hospital team will remain responsible for your medical and surgical care. Urgent or worsening symptoms should always be assessed promptly.
Any assessment or treatment provided by another clinician is arranged separately and is subject to their availability and fees.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to plan your recovery?
Complete the enquiry form with your surgery details and I will review the information, check availability and come back to you with the most appropriate next step.
