After surgery, swelling can feel like it takes over everything. Clothes fit differently. Movement feels restricted. The area can feel heavy, tight, or just unfamiliar. Most people are told this is “normal,” but not always what to do about it. At some point, lymphatic drainage massage comes up. And the question that follows is usually the same: When is it actually safe to start? The answer is not as simple as a specific day on the calendar. But there are clear guidelines that