Manual lymphatic drainage is a specialized, gentle form of massage that stimulates the lymphatic system to move excess fluid, reduce swelling, and support the body's natural healing process. At Healwell Lymphatics and Massage, I use the Vodder technique — the gold standard in MLD — which uses precise, rhythmic movements calibrated to the delicate pressure required to activate lymphatic flow. It is very different from traditional massage and requires specific certification to perform correctly.

No. Traditional massage generally works with muscles and other deeper tissues. Manual Lymphatic Drainage, MLD, uses light, precise, rhythmic movements to support lymphatic flow just beneath the skin.

During early recovery, treatment is gentle and adapted to healing tissue, surgical areas, and your surgeon’s instructions. Although MLD is performed for therapeutic purposes, many clients find it deeply relaxing and comfortable.

Healwell Lymphatics & Massage focuses specifically on lymphatic and tissue care following plastic surgery. I am a Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage practitioner (MLD-C) with specialized education in post-plastic-surgery recovery.

Your first visit includes a detailed assessment of your procedure, healing timeline, symptoms, compression garment use, and surgeon’s instructions. Treatment begins with techniques appropriate for your current stage of healing and evolves as your tissues recover.

Depending on your needs and recovery stage, a session may include gentle MLD, progressively firmer post-surgical techniques, gentle negative-pressure techniques, kinesiology taping, fibrosis treatment, or gentle scarwork. No technique is used simply because it is part of a standard routine.

Early post-operative care is typically very gentle and may consist primarily of Manual Lymphatic Drainage. As your tissues heal and your surgeon’s guidelines permit, treatment may gradually incorporate firmer, more targeted techniques—including Brazilian-style strokes—to address swelling patterns, tissue restriction, firmness, or developing fibrosis.

These techniques are introduced only when appropriate for your stage of recovery. Treatment should never involve forceful work on newly healing tissue, opening incisions, or expressing fluid through surgical wounds.

Timing depends on your procedure, your surgeon’s protocol, and how you are healing. With your surgeon’s approval, gentle post-surgical MLD may begin as early as 48 hours after surgery. Treatment can be adapted around healing incisions, dressings, compression garments, and surgical drains.

Some surgeons prefer that patients wait longer, and their instructions always take priority. Firmer tissue work, fibrosis treatment, and direct scarwork are introduced later, only when the tissues and incisions are ready.

If possible, schedule your initial appointments before surgery so your care is in place when your surgeon clears you to begin.

There is no single schedule that is right for everyone. The number and frequency of sessions depend on your procedure, the extent of surgery, your surgeon’s recommendations, how your body is healing, and whether you are experiencing significant swelling, firmness, or fibrosis.

Many clients begin with two sessions per week during the first few weeks and then transition to weekly care as recovery progresses. A series of approximately six to ten sessions is common, while clients recovering from multiple procedures or needing later-stage fibrosis and scar tissue care may benefit from a longer course of treatment.

We will discuss an initial plan at your first visit and adjust it based on how your tissues respond. You will never be pressured to schedule more treatment than appears appropriate.

Yes. Before beginning post-surgical treatment, I ask that you have your surgeon’s approval—especially during the early stages of recovery or while drains are still in place.

Your surgeon’s post-operative instructions always take priority. Treatment will be adapted to your procedure, healing timeline, restrictions, and any guidance provided by your surgical team.

If you are unsure whether you have been cleared, contact your surgeon before your appointment. With your consent, I am also happy to communicate with your surgical team when clarification or coordination would be helpful.

Yes, post-surgical care may help improve the feel, mobility, and texture of areas that have become firm or restricted. Manual Lymphatic Drainage primarily supports fluid movement and swelling management. As healing progresses, treatment may incorporate more targeted fibrosis techniques, gentle negative-pressure techniques, and gentle tissue mobilization.

The approach and pressure are based on your stage of healing, tissue condition, sensation, and surgeon’s instructions. Fibrosis often changes gradually, so improvement may require consistent treatment over time.

Not every firm or swollen area is fibrosis. A new or worsening lump, fluid-filled area, redness, warmth, drainage, fever, or increasing pain should be evaluated by your surgeon before massage continues.

Healwell provides specialized lymphatic and tissue care following plastic and reconstructive procedures, including:

• Liposuction and Lipo 360

• Abdominoplasty/tummy tuck

• Mommy makeover procedures

• Breast augmentation, reduction, lift, reconstruction, and explant

• Facelift, neck lift, and other facial procedures

• Brachioplasty/arm lift

• Lipedema reduction surgery

Because every procedure and recovery plan is different, treatment is adapted to your surgical areas, healing stage, symptoms, and surgeon’s instructions. If your procedure is not listed, please contact me before scheduling so we can determine whether Healwell is an appropriate fit for your recovery.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to remove and does not place unnecessary pressure on tender surgical areas. Your treatment will require access to the areas being addressed while maintaining appropriate draping and privacy.

If you are wearing a compression garment, you may remove it for treatment and put it back on afterward. Please bring any compression garments, foams, boards, or pads you are currently using so we can consider how they are fitting and affecting your tissues.

If you have drains, dressings, or specific garment instructions, continue following your surgeon’s directions.

Your first appointment begins with a detailed conversation about your procedure, surgery date, current symptoms, healing progress, compression garments, and your surgeon’s post-operative instructions. I will assess swelling, tenderness, tissue firmness, incision areas, drains if present, and any signs that treatment should be modified or postponed.

We will then begin hands-on treatment appropriate for your stage of recovery. Early sessions may consist primarily of gentle Manual Lymphatic Drainage. As healing progresses, treatment may evolve to include more targeted post-surgical techniques, fibrosis care, gentle negative-pressure techniques, or gentle scarwork.

Before you leave, we will discuss what I observed, what to expect afterward, and a suggested plan for continued care. Part of the first appointment is reserved for assessment and planning, so it may include slightly less hands-on time than later sessions.

Yes. With your written consent, I am happy to communicate with your surgeon or surgical team when coordination or clarification would support your care. This may include confirming treatment timing, reviewing post-operative restrictions, or sharing relevant observations about your progress.

Your surgeon’s instructions always take priority. Massage therapy does not replace medical follow-up, diagnose complications, or change your surgeon’s recovery protocol.

Healwell Lymphatics & Massage also welcomes direct referrals from plastic and reconstructive surgery practices seeking specialized post-operative lymphatic and tissue care for their patients.

Most care following elective cosmetic surgery is considered private-pay and is not covered by health insurance.

Healwell Lymphatics & Massage may accept insurance for qualifying medically necessary treatment when your plan includes the appropriate benefits. Coverage may require a medical diagnosis, provider referral, authorization, or other documentation. Benefits must be verified before treatment, and verification does not guarantee that a claim will be paid.

You are responsible for any deductible, copayment, coinsurance, noncovered service, or denied claim. If Healwell is not in network with your plan, a superbill may be available for you to submit for possible reimbursement.

Healwell Lymphatics & Massage is located in Raleigh Hills at:

4850 SW Scholls Ferry Road, Suite 305
Portland, Oregon 97225

Free parking is available in the building’s parking lot, and the office is accessible by elevator.

You can schedule online using the Schedule Post-Op Care button, call 503-484-3319, or email julianne@healwellportland.com.

If your surgery is already scheduled, I recommend reserving your initial appointments before the procedure so care is available when your surgeon clears you to begin.

If you are unsure which appointment to choose or whether Healwell is appropriate for your recovery, you may request a complimentary consultation before scheduling treatment.

Your appointment time is reserved specifically for you, and a valid credit or debit card is required to hold all appointments.

Single sessions and regular appointments

Please provide at least 24 hours’ notice when cancelling or rescheduling.

* Cancellations or changes made with less than 24 hours’ notice are subject to a $100 late-cancellation fee.

* No-show or no-call appointments are charged the full price of the scheduled service.

Prepaid recovery packages

Package appointments cancelled or rescheduled with less than 24 hours’ notice are normally forfeited.

Because plans can change unexpectedly during early surgical recovery, package clients receive up to two recovery-related reschedules during the first three weeks after surgery with at least four hours’ notice. The session will be moved to the next available appointment. After these two grace reschedules have been used, the standard 24-hour package policy applies.

Package appointments cancelled with less than four hours’ notice and no-show or no-call appointments are forfeited.

These policies protect the time reserved for each client while allowing reasonable flexibility during the earliest stage of post-operative recovery.

f you are unsure when to begin treatment, which appointment to schedule, or whether Healwell is the right fit for your procedure, please reach out. We offer free consultations.

Call 503-484-3319, email julianne@healwellportland.com

I’ll be happy to discuss your procedure, recovery timeline, and surgeon’s recommendations before you schedule