Recovery Guide

Sixteen Weeks,
Explained

A practitioner-written map of what to expect, what to book, and what to worry about — from the day before your procedure through the final tissue settling at four months. Written by Juanita Chabolla, reviewed by three board-certified plastic surgeons.

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Recovery Imagery · Placeholder
Five Phases

The Phases Of Recovery

Each phase has its own priorities, its own risks, and its own treatments. Click any phase for detailed guidance.

00.
Pre-Op
Final week before surgery. Nutrition, one drainage session, what to pre-pack.
7 Days Prior
i.
Acute
48 hrs to two weeks. Drainage starts. Incisional care. Swelling peaks days 3 – 5.
Days 2 – 14
ii.
Early
Weeks 3 – 6. Drains come out. Sutures removed. Bruising fades. First glimpse of shape.
Weeks 3 – 6
iii.
Middle
Weeks 7 – 12. Fluid to tissue. Fibrosis prevention. Sculpt & tone integrated.
Weeks 7 – 12
iv.
Late
Weeks 13+. Final shape emerges. Maintenance cadence. Long-term care.
Weeks 13+
Common Paths

What To Book,
And When

These are the three most common paths our post-op clients follow. Every plan is personalized on intake — these give you a realistic starting picture.

Path A / BBL & 360 Lipo

BBL Recovery
Protocol

Daily drainage days 2 – 7, every other day through week 4, weekly through week 10. Sculpt & tone from week 6.

~20 Sessions · 14 – 16 Weeks
Path B / Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty
Protocol

Incisional drainage through week 2. Full-body drainage from week 3. Scar work at week 8.

~16 Sessions · 12 – 14 Weeks
Path C / Facial Surgery

Facelift & Rhino
Protocol

Gentle facial drainage from day 3. Daily for week one, three times weekly through week 4.

~14 Sessions · 8 – 10 Weeks
Essentials

What Every Client
Should Know

Before Surgery

  • Book your first drainage session 7 – 10 days out
  • Order two compression garments, not one
  • Stock high-protein soft foods
  • Clear your calendar for the first two weeks
  • Pre-arrange an adult to drive you home
  • Do not take NSAIDs for 14 days prior

Warning Signs

  • Fever above 101°F — call your surgeon
  • Sudden unilateral swelling — rule out DVT
  • Incision opening, foul odor, or yellow drainage
  • Chest pain or shortness of breath — emergency
  • Swelling that increases rather than decreases after week 3
  • Hardening that does not respond to drainage by week 6
Endorsed

Reviewed By Surgeons

Three board-certified plastic surgeons in Los Angeles contributed to this guide
★★★★★
"Every one of my BBL patients gets sent here. The protocol they follow is what I would have designed if I had the chair time."
Dr. R. S., MDSurgeon Partner
★★★★★
"Lymphyx fills the gap between the operating room and the twelve-week follow-up. A real part of the outcome, not a nice-to-have."
Dr. M. K., MDSurgeon Partner
★★★★★
"I read the guide cover to cover the night before my surgery and it genuinely changed how I recovered."
S. P.Client · 2025
Before The Day

Pre-Surgery Prep Walkthrough

Educational content from Juanita's Instagram. Lymphatic massage supports the recovery experience and is not a substitute for the medical care your surgical team provides.

Each one of you will be going through your own journey after surgery. It's important that you prepare. Here's the walkthrough Juanita gives every client before the procedure.

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