This is interesting to me because it affirms what I see in practice. That it takes about 3 months for at least partial recovery of lymphatics post-op, with full function (thus no more swelling) restored typically by the 6 month mark. And, I find this to be true regardless of surgical procedure, which is why MLD for at least the first three months post-op is so beneficial.
"All rhytidectomy techniques appeared to temporarily create a significant and similar degree of interruption in lymphatic drainage. There was a subtotal recovery of lymphatic pathways within three months, and complete return to baseline drainage pattern after six months, regardless of surgical technique."
Source: Aesthetic Surgery Journal
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