Post‑Operative Specialty Practice · Toms River, NJ

Post‑Operative
Care

This is not a spa treatment we happen to offer. Post-surgical recovery is what this practice is built around: manual lymphatic drainage, scar mobilization, and fibrosis treatment in one 75‑minute session, delivered by an MLD‑C certified therapist and timed to your surgeon's protocol.

Reserve A Session Call 848‑218‑0021

Every post‑operative plan begins with a brief phone assessment

MLD‑CCertified in Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Vodder & BrazilianTrained in both clinical disciplines

Surgeon GuidedEvery plan follows your post-op protocol

75‑Minute SessionsMLD, scar mobilization & fibrosis care

Why It Matters

Surgery is the event. Recovery is the specialty.

After a procedure, your lymphatic system is asked to clear more fluid than it was built to handle, through pathways that surgery has interrupted. Fluid pools. Tissue hardens. Progress stalls. Manual lymphatic drainage reopens those routes by hand, so your body can do what it already wants to do.

Certified post-operative manual lymphatic drainage session at Light Bodies in Toms River, NJ

What The Work Does

Gentle Hands, Clinical Intent

The pressure is light on purpose. Lymphatic vessels sit just beneath the skin, and heavy work collapses them. Precision, rhythm, and direction are what move fluid.

Move trapped fluid Swelling

Rhythmic strokes redirect stagnant lymph toward healthy nodes, easing the tightness, heaviness, and puffiness that follow surgery.

Soften hardening tissue Fibrosis

Fluid that sits too long turns firm and lumpy. Consistent drainage and fascia work discourage that from setting in.

Protect the result Contour

Even fluid distribution supports a smoother, more symmetrical outcome as your tissue settles through the remodeling phase.

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Who We Care For

Procedures We Support

Cosmetic, reconstructive, and orthopedic. If your surgeon has cleared you for lymphatic work, we can build a plan around it.

Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty and mini tuck

Liposuction

Including Lipo 360 and skin tightening

Brazilian Butt Lift

Fat transfer and contouring

Breast Surgery

Augmentation, lift, reduction, reconstruction

Mommy Makeover

Combined abdominal and breast procedures

Facelift & Neck Lift

Facial drainage for jawline and eye swelling

Gender Affirming Surgery

Top surgery and body contouring

Orthopedic Surgery

Knee, hip, and shoulder replacement or repair

Cesarean & Hernia Repair

Abdominal wall and scar tissue support

Not listed? Call and ask. Most procedures benefit from drainage once your surgeon gives the go ahead.

616 Washington Street · Toms River, NJ

Your Recovery, Phase By Phase

The Healing Timeline

Every surgeon and every body sets its own pace. This is the shape most recoveries follow.

Phase One

The First Week

Days 1 to 7

Once your surgeon clears you, gentle drainage begins. The goal here is comfort and fluid movement, not intensity. Sessions are short, light, and often the first real relief after a procedure.

Phase Two

Peak Swelling

Weeks 2 to 4

Swelling typically crests in this window. Frequency matters more than pressure. Consistent sessions keep fluid moving before it has a chance to settle and firm.

Phase Three

Remodeling

Weeks 4 to 12

Tissue reorganizes itself. Fascia work and red light therapy join the drainage to discourage fibrosis, soften scar tissue, and support a smoother, more even contour.

Phase Four

Maintenance

Month 3 Onward

Most clients shift to monthly wellness drainage. Circulation stays open, residual firmness continues to soften, and the result you paid for holds.

What To Expect

Inside A Session

The Phone Assessment

Before anything is booked, we talk. Your procedure, your date, your surgeon's instructions, drains, garments, and any medical history that shapes the plan. Post-operative work is never booked blind.

Arrival And Intake

You arrive to a quiet, private room. We review how the week has gone, look at how the tissue is behaving, and adjust the plan for the day rather than repeating a script.

The Drainage Sequence

Work opens at the healthy nodes first, then clears the pathways back toward them. Vodder technique, Brazilian lymphatic methods, and the specialized border technique are blended to suit your procedure.

Fascia, Red Light & Cupping

We use fascia and cupping techniques where tissue has begun to tighten. Gentle fascia release restores glide, reduces the risk of fibrosis, and treats any fibrosis that has started to develop. Red light is woven in to support tissue repair and calm inflammation, and each of these is implemented when appropriate for your stage of healing.

Your Aftercare Plan

You leave with hydration guidance, positioning and garment notes, simple self-drainage strokes for between visits, and a clear sense of when to come back.

Hooga RLT Panel · In Studio

Woven In When Appropriate

Red Light Therapy
Near‑Infrared Light (NIR)

Most studios charge for this separately. Here it is woven into the drainage work when appropriate in your healing process, because the two do more together than either does alone.

Tissue repair Cellular

Supports collagen production and cellular energy in tissue that is actively rebuilding.

Calms inflammation Recovery

Helps settle the inflammatory response that drives post-surgical swelling and joint pain.

Better circulation Flow

Improved blood flow gives the drainage work more to move and more to move it with.

Noelle Vieira, LMT, MLD-C, CPST, owner of Light Bodies Integrative Massage

Why Certification Matters

Not Every “Lymphatic Massage” Is One

Post-operative tissue is fragile, and the wrong pressure in the wrong direction can set your healing back. MLD is a certified discipline with a defined sequence, and that is what you should be asking for.

MLD‑C Certified Credential

Formal certification in manual lymphatic drainage, not a weekend add-on to a relaxation massage.

Vodder Technique Clinical

The established European standard for lymphedema, post-surgical swelling, and inflammation.

Brazilian Lymphatic Sculpting

Abdominal fluid release and contouring work favored after cosmetic procedures.

Noelle Vieira

LMT · MLD‑C · CPST

Owner and founder of Light Bodies Integrative Massage, serving Ocean and Monmouth County since September 2024. Every post-operative plan is built around your surgeon's guidance, your procedure, and the body in front of her.

The Rest Of The Table

You Are In Good Hands, Whoever You Book

Kellie McMahon

LMT · MLD‑C

Also certified in manual lymphatic drainage, so post-operative clients can book with either therapist and receive the same standard of care.

Christina Rizzo

LMT

Therapeutic and relaxation bodywork. A warm, grounded presence for the wellness sessions that keep you feeling good long after recovery ends.

Christian Blumensteel

LMT

Sports massage, deep tissue, and assisted stretching with confident, firm pressure. A Bachelor of Health Science from Stockton University informs every session.

For Physicians & Surgical Practices

A Recovery Partner Your Patients Come Back Raving About

Surgeons across the Shore send patients here because the protocol is respected, the communication is clear, and the outcomes hold. If your practice is looking for a certified lymphatic referral, let's talk.

Your protocol leads

Start dates, pressure, positioning, drains, and garment guidance follow your instructions. We do not freelance on your patient.

Certified, not improvised

MLD‑C certification with Vodder and Brazilian lymphatic training, plus the specialized border technique for post-surgical tissue.

Documented progress

Session notes and progress observations available to your office on request, so nothing about the recovery is a mystery.

Fast intake

Patients are assessed by phone and scheduled quickly, including the tight first-week window when drainage matters most.

Referral Line: 848‑218‑0021

Real Recoveries

The Work, In Pictures

Consistent post-operative care changes how results settle. Shared with our clients' permission.

Before and after results following a mommy makeover with post-operative care at Light Bodies — Mommy Makeover · Post‑operative care series at Light Bodies

Before and after results following liposuction and BBL with post-operative lymphatic drainage at Light Bodies — Liposuction + BBL · Post‑operative care series at Light Bodies

Individual results vary. Post‑operative care supports your surgeon's work; it does not replace medical treatment.

Client Love

Word Travels At The Shore

★★★★★5.0 · Verified Google Reviews

“If you're looking for someone who truly cares and customizes every session with skill and intuition, look no further.”

Katelyn A. · ★ 5-Star Google Review

“Best massage I've ever had. She worked at a perfect pace, and the environment was very comforting.”

Charles C. · ★ 5-Star Google Review

“Noelle's massage was meditative and quite relaxing. Just the right amount of pressure and communicative.”

Edward W. · ★ 5-Star Google Review

Read All Reviews On Google

Before You Book

Common Questions

When can I start lymphatic drainage after surgery?

Many surgeons clear patients within the first few days, and some prefer to wait a week or more. Your surgeon's instruction always comes first. During the phone assessment we work out a start date and a rhythm that fits what you have been told.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on the procedure and how your body responds. Extensive surgical procedures often call for a series across the first several weeks, while a smaller procedure may need far fewer. You will get an honest recommendation, not a package pushed on you.

Does post-operative drainage hurt?

It should not. The pressure is deliberately light because lymphatic vessels sit just under the skin. Most clients describe it as soothing, and many say it is the first genuine relief they have felt since the procedure.

How is this different from a regular massage?

A therapeutic massage works muscle. Manual lymphatic drainage works fluid, using a specific sequence, direction, and rhythm to open pathways and clear congestion. Deep work on healing post-operative tissue can do harm, which is why the certification matters.

I had surgery out of state or abroad. Can you still help?

Yes. We care for clients who traveled for their procedure regularly. Bring your post-operative instructions and any contact information for your surgical team, and we will build the plan from there.

What should I wear and bring?

Comfortable, loose clothing, your compression garment, and your post-operative instructions. Arrive hydrated. Hydration before and after is part of the care, not an afterthought.

Do you offer packages?

Yes. Package and series pricing is available and is often the sensible choice for a recovery that runs several weeks. You will find these in the booking menu below.

Do I need clearance from my surgeon?

Yes. Lymphatic drainage supports your medical care, it does not replace it. If anything looks or feels wrong between visits, contact your surgical team first.

Schedule Online

Book Your Session

Choose your therapist, your session, and your time. Booking happens right here, no new windows, no phone tag.

One Moment The Light Bodies Integrative Massage calendar is loading

First post-operative visit? Start with a quick call at 848-218-0021 so your plan is timed correctly.

Booking for the first time? Create your account with an email and password. Having trouble booking? Book directly on Vagaro.

Cancellation Policy

More than 24 hours' noticeNo charge

Within 24 hours of your appointment50% of the service total

No-call, no-show100% of the service total

Also At Light Bodies

The Other Two Specialties

Athletes & Active Bodies

Performance & Recovery Sports Massage

Muscle Energy Technique, sports massage, and PNF stretching sequenced around your training calendar. Recover in hours instead of days, keep hips and shoulders moving, and fix the small issues before they sideline you.

Explore Performance Therapy

Most Loved · 60 / 90 Minutes

Integrated Therapeutic Massage

Deep tissue, trigger point, and myofascial release blended with assisted stretching, cupping therapy, and muscle scraping. One session, built around what your body is holding that day.

Explore Therapeutic Massage

The reception area at Light Bodies Integrative Massage, Toms River NJ

Visit The Studio

Find Your Light

Location

616 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753

Phone

848-218-0021

Serving

Toms River, Brick, Point Pleasant, Lavallette, Manahawkin, and the wider Ocean & Monmouth County shore