What “PostOp” is & What It Isn’t

Postoperative care– often referred to as “PostOp” or “Post Op” has two inferences:

  • a timeframe
  • and a type treatment application

In the Body Altering Aesthetics industry, the “PostOp” period timeframe spanning from day 8 to week 8, is a trauma remodeling phase in a client’s recovery journey after surgery. The period timeframe also shares the name with a type of treatment application governed by the CSL Therapy PostOp-Indur (POI) Agency. Neglecting the nuanced significance of treatments needing to be applied during the Post Op timeframe of Day 8- Week 8 often leads to complications or suboptimal results. During the timeframe period of Day 8- Week 8 tailored POI treatments are administered by licensed professionals facilitate a safe restoration process, preventing complications and ensuring a comprehensive recovery as a client’s body returns to homeostasis.

Switching modalities based on timeframes

Recognizing that each postoperative journey is unique, a personalized approach, not a one-size-fits-all method, is imperative. There are two other manual manipulation modalities of the Body Altering Aesthetics industry for trauma remodeling clients: Incisional (characterized by the time frame Day 1- Day 7), and Body Biomechanics (also know as Body Contouring). Incisional Science and Technology treatments are provided by an iMedic and once a client’s body reaches a controlled level of induration, treatments switch from Incisional to PostOp-Indur treatments– this shift typically happens around day 7 after surgery.

Post op is distinctly different from body contouring, as the latter often incorporates kinetic intense machinery. When this high kinetic devices are applied prematurely, connective tissue runs the risk of collagenous layers’ hardening too soon. In a landscape saturated with unverified practices, licensed providers have adopted science-less approaches, underscoring the need for approved courses in postoperative care.

Demystifying Post Op

Although the term “postOp” may have different connotations outside of the body altering aesthetics industry, there are clearly defined definitions for its application inside of the Pre-Peri, and PostOperative spaces as it applies to trauma remodeling clients and should not be confused with any outside definitions, For example, a CNA may provide palliative care to a client after surgery to assist them in showering, dressing, and eating. This is not apart of the recovery definitions presented here. Contrary to popular misinformation, “post op” is also not synonymous with Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD). While MLD is a component of CSL protocols, relying solely on it lacks the aggressiveness required for optimal results. Clients who receive MLD as their Post Op treatments typically take longer to heal as the outdated treatments do not account for the dermal irregularities common to post plastic surgical clients, the aggressive trauma their tissue sustains during surgery, and was never meant to be applied as post surgical solutions during the inception of the plastic surgery industry during the research phase in the mid 1980s. Post op transcends simplistic routines like oils, circles, and downward motions commonly associated with AMBI Massage; instead, it demands comprehensive protocols tailored to the client’s unique body presentation.

At CSL Therapy, we believe in best professional practices and better medicine for postoperative care. CSL PostOp-Indur Standards during the PostOp phase stands out as the safest and most effective approach to treat surgical trauma. Through meticulous protocols designed to aid the breakdown and elimination of toxins and excess fluids along with almost choreographed intentional trauma remodeling through bioengineering and biohacking, CSL ensures clients recover quickly and experience the maximum benefits of proper postoperative care.

Post op is a journey through 8 phases, with phase 7 being the focal point. Clients will spend most of their time after surgery in this phase before moving on to the ending “phase 8: Maintenance”. It is not to be skipped or delayed, as initiating treatments promptly increases the likelihood of reaping benefits and improving overall well-being. Knowing when to move on from PostOp-Indur to Body Contouring or the Maintenance phase– wellllll, that takes some ingenuity and proper training to tell. Professionals go to school for a long time to be able to read a clients body and know when it’s time to move on to the next phase, along with a discussion with the client surround their ideal goals. Visit csltherapy.org and check out the list of licensed Advanced Scholastic Trainers and accredited Foundational Programs or Supplemental Courses to learn the ins and outs of modality progression. Sharing is caring! Together, we look forward to embracing the essence of postoperative care and witness a transformative recovery experience.


Writer: Timeeka Tardy, CSL Therapy POI Agency Officer

About: Timeeka Tardy, founder of Massages On The Move, is a dedicated Master Massage Therapist specializing in lymphatic drainage, sports massage, CSL Post Operative, and Body Contouring treatments. Her mission is to empower individuals through the healing power of positive touch and the art of therapeutic massage. With a profound background in healthcare and human behavior, she creates a safe, nurturing space for her clients while continuously exploring innovative therapies to enhance her practice. Timeeka’s transformative journey and unwavering determination led her to her divine purpose in touch therapy, where she passionately shares her God-given gifts to benefit others’ well-being.