01Primary purpose | Medical fluid management Moves trapped post-op fluid, reduces swelling, and supports proper healing. | Cosmetic inch-loss and smoothing Targets fat deposits, cellulite appearance, and surface contour — not healing. |
02Technique | Light, directional, rhythmic Pressure barely indents the skin. Strokes follow lymphatic pathways toward nodes. | Aggressive, mechanical, device-driven Cavitation machines, ultrasonic handpieces, deep kneading, wood tools. Frequently painful. |
03Licensing and training | Licensed massage therapist with post-op training In Florida, LMT licensing is required. Post-op work requires specific additional training and, ideally, experience with your procedure. | Varies widely — often unregulated In many states, cavitation and wood therapy fall into regulatory gray areas. Some operators have zero clinical training. |
04When to use it | Starts 24–72 hours post-op Surgeons typically recommend first session within the first three days, with a structured schedule over the following 4–8 weeks. | Not during active surgical recovery Most contouring devices are contraindicated on fresh surgical tissue, implants, or open incisions. |
05Safety on fresh post-op tissue | Safe and protocol-driven Specifically designed for healing tissue. Pressure is adjusted around incisions, drains, and implants. | Frequently unsafe Aggressive mechanical contouring on fresh post-op tissue can cause seromas, fat necrosis, hematomas, and damage to newly placed implants. This is one of the more common causes of preventable recovery setbacks we see. |
06Evidence base | Supported by decades of clinical use Manual lymphatic drainage has a documented role in post-surgical and post-oncology care, taught at clinical massage schools internationally. | Mixed to weak for most claims Cavitation inch-loss data is largely industry-funded. Short-term changes are usually water, not fat. |
07Pain level | Very low Most patients describe it as relief, not treatment. Can be uncomfortable over fresh incisions on day two — that fades fast. | Moderate to intense Aggressive 'lipo massage' and wood therapy are often bruising. The bruises are sometimes marketed as a sign it's working. |
08What results look like | Reduced swelling, smoother recovery, less fibrosis Patients feel lighter, less puffy, and more mobile — especially in the second and third weeks. | Temporary circumference change Inches lost in a single session are almost entirely fluid, and return within days unless paired with a deficit. |
09Typical session length | 60–90 minutes Full body or focused on surgical area, depending on day of recovery. | 30–60 minutes Often sold in discounted packages of 6, 8, or 10 sessions. |
10Cost structure | Per-session or included in recovery packages In Miami, typically $120–$250 per session; frequently bundled into recovery-suite stays. | Heavily package-discounted Often advertised as 'lose X inches in 10 sessions' — the framing is a marketing tell, not a clinical one. |
11Who it's for | Surgical patients and lymphatic-compromised clients Post-op, post-oncology, chronic swelling, pre-travel for fluid-retentive patients. | Aesthetic clients well outside a surgical window Non-surgical patients exploring cosmetic smoothing. Not a substitute for diet, movement, or medical care. |
12How it's marketed | Clinical language, physician referrals Usually described by what it does medically — drainage, fluid movement, fibrosis prevention. | Transformation language, before/after reels Usually described by what it promises cosmetically — inches, dropped dress sizes, 'melted' fat. |
