How Soon After Surgery Can Manual Lymphatic Drainage Be Performed?

This is one of the most common questions I get, usually asked with a mix of hope and anxiety:

“How soon after surgery can I get Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)?”

And the short answer is:

Often, very light work can be done as soon as 24 hours post-surgery.

The longer, more accurate answer is:

It depends.

On the surgery. On the person. On how the body is responding. On what very light actually means in that moment.

Let’s unpack that.

What does “as soon as 24 hours” actually mean?

When people hear that MLD can sometimes begin within 24 hours of surgery, they often picture hands-on work directly over the surgical site.

That’s usually not what’s happening.

Early post-surgical MLD is typically:

• Extremely gentle

• Often performed away from the incision area

• Focused on opening and supporting healthy lymphatic pathways

• Designed to reduce congestion before it becomes entrenched

At this stage, we are not trying to “fix” swelling.

We’re creating conditions that make it easier for the body to do what it’s already trying to do.

Why timing matters—but isn’t everything

Inflammation is a normal and necessary part of healing. Your body is responding intelligently to trauma, even when that trauma is planned and surgical.

MLD doesn’t shut inflammation down.

It helps regulate it.

When lymphatic fluid lingers longer than it needs to, it can contribute to:

• Increased pressure

• Discomfort

• Heavier-feeling tissue

• Slower resolution of swelling

Gentle lymphatic work can support fluid movement without overwhelming a system that’s already working hard.

That said—every surgery is different.

Every body is different.

Every recovery unfolds on its own timeline.

This is why MLD is never a one-size-fits-all protocol.

When waiting is the better option

There are situations where delaying MLD is the right call:

• Signs of active infection

• Surgical complications

• Certain medical contraindications

• A nervous system that is already overwhelmed

Supporting healing sometimes means doing less, not more.

This is where clinical reasoning matters. And why a conversation—rather than a blanket rule—is always part of the process.

Now let’s talk about something people don’t ask enough about: pre-surgery work

Have you ever heard of pre-surgical Manual Lymphatic Drainage?

Because it can be incredibly beneficial.

Pre-surgery MLD focuses on:

• Optimizing lymphatic pathways before they’re stressed

• Reducing baseline congestion

• Helping the nervous system familiarize itself with the work

• Supporting smoother post-operative fluid movement

Think of it as giving your lymphatic system a clear map before construction starts.

When the body already knows how to move fluid efficiently, it often has an easier time adapting after surgery—especially if lymph nodes are removed or pathways are disrupted.

The takeaway

MLD can sometimes begin very soon after surgery—sometimes within 24 hours—but how and when it’s applied matters far more than the calendar date.

And when possible, starting before surgery can set the stage for a smoother recovery.

If you’re preparing for surgery, recently had one, or are navigating lingering swelling months later, I’m happy to talk through what support might look like for your specific situation.

Your body isn’t behind. It’s healing.

And healing is not a race.