Please note that massage therapy is never a substitute for medical attention. 

 

Clients may make a post operative appointment for whenever their surgeon clears them to receive treatment. Clients may not receive massage therapy over an area for 2 weeks that has been treated with any injectable treatments, such as Botox or Juvederm, or an area of fat transfer for at least 6 weeks. 

 

If a client is showing any signs or symptoms of post operative complications or any illness, services will not be rendered. The client will be advised to follow up with their physician or report to an appropriate medical facility.  Post operative clients MUST be cleared by their surgeon to receive lymphatic drainage. If your surgeon has not cleared you to receive lymphatic drainage, please contact them to discuss whether you may begin treatment.

 

Incisions must be fully covered with a waterproof bandage if they are still open or draining any fluids. You may not attend any appointments if you have fluids freely draining from incisions. Mend does not perform incisional drainage and will not provide any type of deep or painful massage techniques to post operative patients. 

 

Mend will not open incisions with any type of implements. Mend will not perform needle aspiration of seroma or remove JP drains or sutures. Please note that it is not within the scope of practice of any massage therapist in any of the states in the USA to perform any of the aforementioned tasks. 

 

 

What do you offer?

 

1. The highest level of Post Operative Recovery Care, administered by an experienced, properly credentialed and licensed practitioner with 18 years of experience, in a sanitary, serene environment. The therapist carries Certified Lymphedema Therapist credentials earned at the best, LANA accredited institution. The therapist has received live, hands on training only. 

2. Pre-op Prehab sessions geared toward preparing your body for your upcoming procedure.

3. In person Pre-Operative Consultations to prepare you for your upcoming procedure and optimize your outcome. You will be guided in what items to purchase and what not to waste your resources on, as well as optimal post-op self care.

4. Compression Garment Guidance in which garments are best for you and can measure you to ensure the correct fit.

5. Treatment for Fibrosis and Scar Tissue including manual lymphatic drainage, myofascial release, scar tissue mobilization, vibration and the use of medical grade texturized foam and custom made "chip pads".

6. Post operative clients have direct access to the therapist via cell phone and text message and are welcome to reach out with questions regarding the recovery process after beginning treatment at Mend.

 

Am I required to book a consultation prior to treatment?

 

No. It's optional.

 

What is your treatment protocol?

 

Our treatment protocol is simple: first, we follow your surgeon's protocol. Secondly, we respond to the unique needs of each client. 

 

How many massages do I need after my procedure? 

 

There is absolutely no way for any therapist or doctor to predict how many sessions you will need after any procedure. Every body responds differently to the procedure(s) received. This is why I approach each client as a completely unique case with needs that are specific to the individual. With that said, I do not "overtreat" our clients. We do not "require" clients to come every day, nor do I try to "lock in" our clients to packages or contracts. I meet each client where they are, and accompany them on their recovery journey as long as they need me. My goal is always to get you looking and feeling your best and back to living your best life as quickly as possible.

 

How soon after surgery can I begin treatment?

 

As soon as your surgeon clears you to begin. If your surgeon offers no specific timeline, then I leave it up to you. As soon as you feel ready to begin, whether it's 3 days, 3 weeks, or 3 months post op, I'm here for you. 

 

What procedures have you treated?

All of them. With 18 years in the wellness and medical fields, our founder has treated everything from traumatic brain injury patients fresh out of neurosurgery, orthopedics, caesarian section, cardiothoracic surgery, to lymphedema and lipedema. We have experience in virtually every plastic surgery procedure including face lift, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, platysmaplasty, mastectomy, mastopexy, breast augmentation and reduction, panniculectomy, abdominoplasty, torsoplasty, brachioplasty, thighplasty, liposuction, fat grafting, back lift, gluteal implants, BBL and BBL reversal. She has also treated clients recovering from gender affirmation surgeries.

 

Is it ever too late to receive post op care?

 

Nope. We still see improvements in post op results when clients begin treatment many months, even years after having surgery.

 

Do you sell packages?

 

No. We do not sell packages or memberships. Mend is a privately owned, concierge style, paramedical therapeutic massage practice. We strive to differentiate ourselves from the massage franchises, big corporations and practices that seek to capitalize on your fears and vulnerability after having a procedure. We do not sell packages or memberships because we are an outcome based, not income based practice. We focus not on maximizing sales and revenue but on catering to the unique recovery needs of each of our clients. We find that having an ethical, client centered business model serves us very well! Additionally, our post op therapist is one of the most highly skilled clinicians in New Jersey specializing in post op care - you get what you pay for.

 

Do you offer body contouring services?

 

No. During the early stages of post surgical recovery, it is important to decrease the level of inflammation and pain in your body. Aggressive massage and body contouring practices can cause you great harm including infection, wound dehiscience (opening), seroma and necrosis. Therefore, we do not offer these practices.

 

Whose patients have you treated?

 

One of our maxims is "Confidentiality At All Times". We don't name drop because we don't need to. Our work speaks for itself. With that said, we have treated the patients of surgeons from all over the world including many "high profile" New York, New Jersey, and LA surgeons. We have treated rock stars, models, CEOs, doctors, lawyers, television writers and producers, dancers, designers and countless moms! After working in the entertainment business for 15 years, our founder understands how important it is for VIPs to be able to fly under the radar. Regardless of who you are or what you have had done... your privacy is safe with us.

 

Will my post op treatment hurt? Do I need to take painkillers before I come in?

 

NO. We practice Vodder Manual Lymphatic Drainage. This is a gentle technique meant to facilitate the reduction of swelling, bruising and pain. That said, to break up fibrosis, cording or or scar tissue, we will use more pressure and additional techniques,  as needed, when you are further along in your recovery.

 

Will you "drain" me by pushing the fluid out of my incisions?

 

NO! Absolutely not. That is not lymphatic drainage. True MLD moves the edema OUT of your tissues and INTO your lymphatic system and you will pee it out. Mend is a legitimate therapeutic massage practice and we only operate within our scope of practice as outlined by the New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy.

 

Will you drain my seroma with a needle, remove my sutures or drains, or poke my incisions to "drain" me?

 

NO. It is not within the scope of practice for any licensed massage therapist in any of the states in this country to engage in these practices. If you require a higher level of care, we are happy to refer you to properly trained medical personnel.

 

Will you do post op massage over my faja?

 

NO. This is not a safe or effective practice. If you can not or will not remove your faja, then we ask you to schedule your session at a later time so we can maximize the efficacy of your treatment.

 

How soon after giving birth can I receive lymphatic drainage?

 

As soon as you feel ready after vaginal birth and as soon as your OB clears you after a c-section.

 

Is Mend a trans/LGBTQI/nonbinary friendly practice?

 

Absolutely! Whether you've had brow bossing or bottom surgery, we are here for you! At Mend, you can rest assured that you will receive your post-op care in a safe and loving environment.