Physician-supervised
Medical spa protocols are designed and supervised by the ALMO Clinic medical team, not a standard spa massage.
Lymphatic drainage massage in Bogotá: post-op care for international patients
Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle massage technique that helps move excess fluid out of the tissues. At ALMO Clinic in Bogotá it is physician-supervised and coordinated with your surgeon, so you can plan your post-op massages into your stay in Colombia.
5.0/5 on 15 Google reviews
- Post-op lymphatic drainage from $37 USD per session · 8-session post-op package from $225 USD
- Physician-supervised therapists trained in plastic surgery recovery · care in English
- Also for patients who had surgery at another clinic, following their surgeon's instructions
In summary
Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle, rhythmic massage that stimulates lymphatic flow to move excess fluid out of the tissues. After liposuction, a tummy tuck or a BBL it is part of recovery, and as a wellness session it eases fluid retention. At ALMO Clinic in Bogotá a post-op session starts at $37 USD and the 8-session post-op package starts at $225 USD.
Reviewed by Dr. Oscar Barón · Plastic surgeon · SCCP
Post-op session from
$37 USD
- 8-session post-op package from $225 USD
- Wellness session from $30 USD
Coordinated with your surgeon
After surgery, when to start, how often and how much pressure follow your surgeon's instructions.
Care in English
Book on WhatsApp and talk to the team in English before, during and after your sessions.
What is lymphatic drainage massage?
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a massage technique that uses gentle pressure and slow, repeated strokes to stimulate the lymphatic system. Its goal is to help excess fluid that has built up in the tissues return to circulation, which is why it is used for swelling, a feeling of heaviness and fluid retention.
How manual lymphatic drainage works
The lymphatic system is a network of vessels and lymph nodes that collects the fluid that leaks out of the capillaries into the tissues. That lymph fluid travels through the lymphatic vessels, passes through the lymph nodes and returns to the bloodstream near the heart. Unlike blood, lymph has no pump of its own: it moves thanks to muscle movement, breathing and the contraction of the vessels themselves. When that flow slows down, for example after surgery, fluid builds up and causes swelling. The therapist first clears the lymph nodes that drain the area and then guides the fluid towards them.
Benefits of lymphatic drainage massage
- Helps move built-up fluid and eases the feeling of swelling and tightness.
- Relieves heavy legs caused by fluid retention.
- After surgery, it is part of the protocol to manage swelling while the skin and tissues heal.
- It is gentle and relaxing and needs no downtime.
Lymphatic drainage does not remove fat and does not replace surgery or medical treatment: it acts on the fluid in the tissues.
Post-op lymphatic drainage massage after lipo, BBL and tummy tuck
After liposuction, a tummy tuck or a BBL, lymphatic drainage helps manage the swelling of the first weeks, together with your compression garment and your surgeon's care plan. The pressure adapts to the sensitivity of the treated areas and always respects the incisions.
When to start after surgery
Your surgeon tells you when to start at your post-op check-up, because it depends on the procedure, the areas treated and how your skin looks. Do not start on your own or before that go-ahead.
How many sessions to plan into your stay
Post-op massages are planned as a series of sessions, and your surgeon sets how many and how often. If you are traveling for surgery, plan them before you book your return flight; our 8-session post-op package starts at $900,000 COP (~$225 USD). If your surgery is at another clinic, bring your surgeon's instructions.
Plan your post-op massagesManual lymphatic drainage for wellness (no surgery)
You do not need to have had surgery. A wellness session is for anyone who feels heavy, swollen or bloated and wants a calming, decongesting massage, for example after a long flight or many hours on your feet.
Stomach and legs
- Legs: strokes move from the feet towards the lymph nodes in the groin, easing heavy, swollen legs and ankles.
- Stomach: slow, gentle strokes towards the nodes of the groin and armpits for a bloated, puffy feeling.
- A swollen leg on one side only, with pain or warmth, is not massaged: see a doctor first.
From $120,000 COP (~$30 USD) per session.
What a session at ALMO Clinic looks like
- Check first: before your first session we confirm there are no contraindications and, if you had surgery, we review your surgeon's instructions.
- Opening the lymph nodes: the therapist starts with the lymph nodes that drain the area being treated.
- Draining the area: slow, rhythmic strokes with light pressure, always in the direction of lymphatic flow.
- Aftercare: hydration, wearing your compression garment if you are post-op, and the date of your next session.
Everything is explained in English. If you notice increasing pain, fever, redness or one leg swollen more than the other, do not wait for your next session: contact your surgeon.
Before and after lymphatic drainage massage
What changes with lymphatic drainage is the amount of fluid in the tissues, so the “before and after” is mostly felt as less swelling and heaviness and, after surgery, as swelling that goes down from one week to the next.
- Wellness session: many people say their legs feel lighter afterwards. The effect is temporary and also depends on hydration, movement and daily habits.
- Post-op session: swelling goes down gradually over several weeks. Drainage supports that process together with your compression garment; it does not speed up the final result of your surgery on its own.
Everyone heals differently, so we do not promise a result in a fixed number of sessions.
Is lymphatic drainage massage safe? Contraindications
Lymphatic drainage moves fluid back into circulation. That is why there are conditions in which it should not be done, or only with your treating doctor's approval.
Not recommended if you have
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Active infection
- Uncompensated heart failure
- Active cancer without your treating doctor's approval
Who it is for
- Recovery after liposuction, a tummy tuck, a BBL or BodyTite, once your surgeon allows it
- Heavy, swollen legs from fluid retention
- Mild puffiness in the stomach or face with no medical cause still to be checked
Lymphatic drainage massage prices in Bogotá (USD)
Indicative prices in Colombian pesos with their approximate US dollar equivalent. Your exact session plan is defined for your case.
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Post-op lymphatic drainage (per session) | From $150,000 COP (~$37 USD) |
| Post-op package (8 sessions) | From $900,000 COP (~$225 USD) |
| Manual lymphatic drainage, wellness (per session) | From $120,000 COP (~$30 USD) |
What every session includes
- Contraindication check before you start
- Manual lymphatic drainage of the indicated areas
- Trained therapist and medical supervision
- Aftercare instructions in English
What changes the price
- Wellness or post-op: a post-op session takes extra care around the treated areas.
- Single session or package: after surgery you usually need a series of sessions.
Transformation stories
5.0 · 15 reviews on Google
ALMO is more than excellent. From the moment you arrive, the care they offer, the warmth and empathy add to the valuable and wonderful experience with their professionals, especially with Dr. Oscar Barón, a human being with very special ethical and professional values…
The best clinic in Bogotá. Dr. Andrés Parra answered all my questions about the procedure, and I'm happy with the results — highly recommended!
My experience was extremely satisfying. I found a very professional team, led by Dr. Martha Peñarredonda, to whom I am deeply grateful. I always felt supported, and everything was clear and well explained…
Very good care. Dr. Oscar Barón is an excellent surgeon, and Yohana's attention was the best. Very happy with the service I received.
The service is excellent, and the care from the ALMO Clinic team is very professional. Thank you.
I loved the care I received at ALMO Clinic — truly committed to my well-being, especially Dr. Andrés.
Excellent care, procedures with experts and effective results.
Dr. Parra is the best in the city! I recommend him 100%.
The best experience — excellent care, highly ethical professionals with impeccable professionalism. Simply the best!
FAQs about lymphatic drainage massage
Planning surgery in Bogotá? See what to expect week by week in our recovery guides for liposculpture, tummy tuck, BBL and BodyTite, see our wood therapy for body contouring, or go back to the ALMO Clinic medical spa.
Start with a virtual consultation
Message us on WhatsApp in English. Tell us your surgery date, or that you are looking for a wellness session, and we will plan your sessions around your stay in Bogotá.
Start with a virtual consultation