POST-OP

Are you planning to have cosmetic or reconstructive surgery—or have you just had surgery? Welcome!

This page answers all the questions you might have about physical therapy before and after your procedure: liposuction, liposculpture, facelift, blepharoplasty, abdominoplasty, or any other surgery.

As a physiotherapist, I offer you my paramedical expertise. Specialized in tissue repair, I am trained in peri-operative care and in recognizing the clinical signs that require your surgeon's opinion. I build a tailored care protocol for you to achieve optimal aesthetic results.

Have you scheduled an appointment with your surgeon and want to maximize the results of your procedure? Now is the right time to start thinking about pre-operative preparation.

It is too often overlooked, although it plays a crucial role in the quality of healing, post-operative comfort, and how quickly your body regains its balance after the stress of surgery.

Each protocol is different, because it depends on the type of surgery you'll be having. That's why it all starts with an assessment session, which ideally takes place 6 weeks before the surgery. This time allows me to get to know you, understand your procedure, your lifestyle, and your goals, and to offer you a personalized care plan that may include, depending on your needs:

• Lymphatic drainage sessions.
• Exercise-based rehabilitation to prepare your body for post-surgery recovery.
• Therapeutic massages.

It's also an opportunity to discuss very practical questions that most of my patients have: which compression garment to choose and how to wear it properly, or what dietary habits to adopt in the weeks leading up to the procedure to promote proper healing.

For medical and legal reasons, post-operative care cannot begin without a prescription for physical therapy sessions:

• If you had surgery in France, a prescription from your surgeon or your primary care physician.
• If you had surgery abroad, a prescription from a French primary care physician who will take over your follow-up care in France.

Treatment can begin as soon as your surgeon gives you the go-ahead. Depending on the type of procedure and your doctor's practice, this timeframe generally ranges from D+3 to D+15. There is no one-size-fits-all rule: your surgeon will determine the right time for you.

As with the pre-operative phase, the first post-operative appointment is an assessment. It allows me to accurately evaluate your condition (swelling, bruising, range of motion, scars, how you're feeling) and to recommend a detailed care plan that, depending on your procedure and the progress of your recovery, may include:

• Lymphatic drainage (a technique tailored to the condition of your tissues) to reduce edema and prevent fibrosis.
• Taping, to support the tissues and improve the resolution of edema.
• Rehabilitation through movement, to gently restore mobility and muscle tone.
• Personalized advice on returning to exercise, tailored to the pace of your healing.

Your safety always comes first. I make sure to regularly report back to your prescribing doctor on the care provided and the progress of your condition. If any unusual pain or clinical sign concerns me, I immediately refer you to the appropriate healthcare professional.

I provide post-operative support for most cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries, including:

• Liposuction / liposculpture
• Facelift/body lift (arms, thighs, abdominoplasty)
• Blepharoplasty
• Breast surgery
• Reconstructive surgery

Each protocol is individualized: drainage after liposuction is different from that following a facelift, as well as from the needs of reconstructive surgery.

Lipedema is a chronic condition of the fatty tissue, often mistaken for simple weight gain, that mainly affects the legs and sometimes the arms. It is characterized by a disproportionate, tender accumulation of fat, along with a tendency to bruise easily.

Manual lymphatic drainage is a cornerstone of lipedema care, whether you are being followed in preparation for a specific liposuction procedure or as part of a conservative treatment approach. If you think you may be affected, or if you have just been diagnosed by an angiologist, feel free to mention it during the assessment. I will tailor your care plan accordingly.