top of page
Meet Kathleen
59093820_10157420094180799_2059398241035
Kathleen Lisson, CMT, CLT
​

Hello,

​

Recovering from plastic or orthopedic surgery can be a stressful time for some patients. 'Type A' personalities simply don't want to hear that in time, swelling will go down on it's own and they should just be patient. 

​

I am a 45-year old board certified massage therapist with advanced training in Manual Lymphatic Drainage. Having reconstructive surgery on my face after a skiing accident and, a few years later, Moh's surgery to remove skin cancer on my cheek taught me the importance of choosing a qualified surgeon. As a 'Type A' personality myself, I did everything I could to help myself heal after I left the operating room.

 

Giving manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) massage to clients after tummy tuck and facelift procedures has shown me the positive emotional benefits that come from reducing the heavy, tight feeling that can sometimes come with post-surgical swelling.

 

I provide safe, compassionate manual lymphatic drainage to men and women in the comfort of their homes. I usually see a client for the first treatment two weeks after surgery. Clients report feeling the most improvement when receiving MLD massage twice a week and following all of their surgeon’s post-surgery recommendations regarding compression garments and activity restrictions.

​

A few weeks to a month or two after surgery, clients also benefit from deeper massage strokes that soothe tight shoulder and lower back muscles, especially 'mommy makeover' clients. Massage is delivered sidelying and supine, and the same precautions are taken to keep the incision area safe. 

 

One of my clients said “I highly recommend Kathleen. I have seen her twice so far and have greatly benefited. She is very knowledgeable, soft-spoken and soothing. Her technique has helped me along in my recovery greatly, I definitely plan of referring her to any loved one.”

​

I look forward to working with you and your clients.

​

Kathleen

​

About Kathleen

​

Troy Record: Troy Woman, Husband to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro

 

SpareFoot: Starting Over in a New City

​

 

Published Journal Articles

​

Elephant Journal: Using My Childhood Superpower to help Families Facing Cancer.

Elephant Journal: Why We (Don’t) Meditate.

Labyrinth Pathways 10th Edition - The Labyrinth as a Healer's Meditation Practice


 

 

Expert Source in News Stories

 

Massage

​

Lymph Logic

​

Meet Kathleen Lisson: Board Certified Massage Therapist and Certified Lymphedema Therapist

 

https://shoutoutsocal.com/meet-kathleen-lisson-board-certified-massage-therapist-and-certified-lymphedema-therapist/

 

Secret Scope Podcast: https://www.thesecretscope.com/post/kathleen-lisson-certified-lymphedema-therapist-on-the-lymphatic-system-lymphedema-dry-brushing

 

Breast Friends Cancer Support Radio https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/111095/encore-lymphedema-cancer-treatments-dirty-little-secret

​

Paper Magazine: I Bought a Fancy Rose Quartz Face Roller ... Does It Work?

​

Massage Magazine : The Massage Therapist's Guide to Foot Care​

​

Massage Magazine: 7 Effective Ways to Ease Your Stress

​

Bring Your Own Kombucha Podcast: Episode 44

 

Active Lifestyle & Running

 

Prevention Magazine November 2016 : Down But Not Out

​

Consumer Reports: Workout Tips that Work

​

Runners World: 11 tips from Cross-Country Coaches that you can still use

 

Meditation and Mindfulness

 

Prevention: 7 Little Distractions That Can Help You Ride Out A Craving

 

Everup: How to Mimic a Sabbatical When Leaving Your Job Isn’t an Option

 

Aleteia: 40 habits of calm, centered women

​

Bustle: 11 Ways to Fit Relaxation into a Busy Schedule

 

GoBankingRates.com: Unwind With These Free Activities on Relaxation Day

​

 

Articles Published in Medium

 

How to Reduce Anxiety Before Surgery in San Diego

​

Supplements and Teas: What is 'safe' and 'healthy' to take before plastic surgery

​

How to Recover from Plastic Surgery - Advice from Naturopathic Doctors

 

5 Cool Things you may not know about Lymphatic Massage

 

What your massage therapist wishes you knew about Lymphatic Massage

​

10 tips from a massage school instructor: how to teach massage to the next generation of therapists

​

12 secrets your massage therapist isn't telling you

​

7 things your massage therapist wishes you knew

​

How to Work With Kathleen

 

I have had the pleasure of working with several plastic surgeons located throughout California. I look forward to working with you! 

​

If you would like to pay for your San Diego-based client's MLD treatment:

​

  • Please contact me at 619-880-6538. I can perform the treatment in the comfort of the client's home and bill your practice. I accept check and credit card payments and will email a receipt for your records.

 

  • I will have the client sign a authorization to release their medical record and send your office the client's personalized Massage Therapy Care Plan for your records with details on their course of treatment and the adaptions I am making to ensure their safe recovery.

  • My practice's NPI number is #1942751136.

​

If you would like to refer clients for MLD treatment:

​

  • Please give them this website address. If you contact me, I can provide a flyer explaining the treatment in more detail via email, fax or mail. Please contact me at 619-880-6538 for more information. 

​​

  • MLD treatments usually begin two weeks after the surgery date. Many clients find that twice weekly massage works well for their schedules and for reducing the heavy, tight feeling of swelling. The client's HSA or FSA may reimburse for massage with a physician's written prescription. My NPI number is #1942751136.

​​

  • I will have the client sign a authorization to release their medical record and send your office the client's personalized Massage Therapy Care Plan for your records with details on their course of treatment and the adaptions I am making to ensure their safe recovery.

​

If you would like me to speak to your group:

​

  • I would love to speak to your group about recovering from plastic or orthopedic surgery or the benefits of Manual Lymphatic Drainage.  Please contact me to  let me know more about your group and set up a date by emailing me at solacesandiego@gmail.com

Praise From a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon:
​

I will certainly keep you in mind if I have future surgery patients that may necessitate postoperative lymphatic drainage near you.

​

- Kristina Tansavatdi, MD

Tansavatdi Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery, Westlake Village, CA 

 
 
About Kathleen Lisson, CMT, CLT

 

Whether I am performing manual lymphatic drainage to reduce swelling a few weeks after a client's tummy tuck or or giving a deeper massage to relax sore back muscles a month after surgery to let her stand straighter, I have the same top priority - 

​

Keep the incision area safe!

​

Manual Lymphatic Drainage can be an effective part of post-surgery healing for facelift, tummy tuck and "mommy makeover" clients. I ensure client safety by following a strict massage protocol that includes:

​

No massage directly over scar until healed.

No massage performed while drains are still utilized by patient.

Manual lymphatic drainage massage utilized in adjacent areas without movement of scar. Swedish, NMT & reflexology massage techniques used on other areas of body as needed.

Client positioned on table so as not to place body weight pressure on scars until healed.

Client positioned on table with head properly elevated and bolster under knees.

Avoid massage over all internal sutures (especially important in facelift clients). 

​

I am a board certified massage therapist specializing in reduction of swelling and pain and providing safe, effective massage for men and women after plastic or orthopedic surgery and to those with a diagnosis of metastatic cancer and lymphedema. I am certified in Manual Lymphatic Drainage massage and have taken the higher level of training to also hold the title of Certified Lymphedema Therapist. 

 

In addition to my manual lymphatic drainage and oncology massage training, I am a MMI Certified Meditation Instructor. I have served as a Primary Instructor at the International Professional School of Bodywork in San Diego, teaching a meditation and mindfulness class and assistant teaching the college's Adapting Massage for Special Populations Class. 

​

Are Your Clients Feeling Anxiety before their upcoming operation? Are they concerned about taking pain medication after their surgery? 
​

Preparing for surgery can be very stressful time, and stress has a negative effect on our immune system. I offer workshops on a relaxation protocol developed by psychotherapist, researcher and Harvard Divinity School graduate Peggy Huddleston. The techniques outlined in her book Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster offer a step-by-step plan for patients looking to reduce pre-operative anxiety and their need for pain medication after their operation. 

​

​

What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage massage?

​

Manual Lymphatic Drainage, also known as lymphatic massage and MLD, is a technique used by Emil Vodder in the South of France over 100 years ago and brought to the United States by German instructors from the Foeldi Clinic, including my teacher, Guenter Klose. MLD massage uses light pressure and specific strokes to increase the flow of lymph in the body. The powerful but gentle technique is designed to detoxify the body of excess lymph fluid in patients with lymphedema. It is also used to reroute lymphatic fluid and reduce swelling after plastic or orthopedic surgery.

INFORMATION FOR PLASTIC SURGEONS, MEDSPAS & GROUPS

Latest News for Clients:
​

Free copy of Stress Reduction for Lymphedema

 

I am excited to share the recently published book Stress Reduction for Lymphedema with my lymphedema clients. Ask for your free copy at your next massage session. 

 

What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage?

​

Manual Lymphatic Drainage helps the body's lymphatic system move swelling out of our tissues and back into our bloodstream, reducing the tight, heavy feeling that swelling brings after surgery or an accident. 

​

Are you bothered by swelling or bloating in your body or face? Book an appointment with me and we'll see what's there and what we can do to relieve your discomfort. 

 

Online CE Classes for Lymphatic Massage Therapists.

 

I have put together several classes which qualify for NCBTMB CE credit. I have also put together free classes for those planning plastic surgery. Check them out here:

 https://plasticsurgeryrecoverymassage.teachable.com/

​

​

New Book Published

 

The Southern California Plastic Surgery Recovery Cookbook is now available on Amazon! If you have had plastic surgery, please ask for your free copy at your next massage session. 

​

Online Classes for Lymphatic MAssage Therapists

 

I am a NCBTMB Approved Provider and now offer online classes in Plastic Surgery Recovery and Fibrosis massage to lymphatic massage therapists at https://plasticsurgeryrecoverymassage.teachable.com/

 

Fall 2019

Treating Fibrosis at IAD in India

 

I was able to visit the Institute of Applied Dermatology in Kasaragod, India and learn how therapists treat fibrosis and lymphatic filariasis. 

​

Summer 2019 

Publication of Plastic Surgery Recovery Handbook

​

I am happy to announce that my third book Plastic Surgery Recovery Handbook has been published in English and Spanish ( Manual de Recuperacion de la Cirugia Plastica ) in both paperback and kindle ebook. 

​

Spring 2019

Speaker at FDRS and MLDUK Conferences

 

I was thrilled to be a speaker at the 2019 FDRS conference in Baltimore as well as the 2019 MLD UK Conference in Daventry, U.K.

 

Fall / Winter 2018

Translations of Lipedema Treatment Guide available!

 

Dutch, German and Spanish translations of Lipedema Treatment Guide are available in both paperback at Amazon and ebook via Kindle.

 

August 2018

Bring Your Own Kombucha Podcast

​

I enjoyed sharing tips on balancing our body's lymphatic system on the Bring Your Own Kombucha Podcast. Listen to  Episode 44 here: http://bringyourownkombucha.com/episode-44-kathleen-lisson/

​

July 2018

Lipedema Treatment Guide

​

I am happy to announce that my second book, Lipedema Treatment Guide, has been published and is available wherever books are sold. 

​

June 2018

Class at the Foeldi Clinic, Germany

​

I spent a week at the world-famous Foeldi Clinic in Germany learning advanced treatments for lymphedema and lipedema.

​

April 2018

Speaker at the 2018 FDRS Conference. 

​

I gave a presentation on Meditation and Mindfulness Interventions for people with lipedema. View the presentation here: https://youtu.be/tSFyeYl1I9o

​

Panelist at the AMTA California Education Conference 2018

March 2018 

​

I am pleased to announce that I will be participating in the 'Oncology Career Mapping' panel at the Conference this March. 

​

Speaker at the Fat Disorders Research Society 2018 Annual Conference. 

April 2018

​

I am pleased to announce that I will be presenting Meditation and Mindfulness Interventions for Patients with Fat Disorders at this April's FDRS Annual Conference! When the video is made public I will post it here. 

​

Lymphedema Seminars 

November 2017

​

I learned so much about the treatment of lymphedema at this fall's Lymphedema Seminar in Newport Beach. I will take these lessons back to improve outcomes for my clients! 

​

 

Swollen, Bloated and Puffy

July 2017

​

I have published my book full of tips for reducing swelling after surgery and with a diagnosis of lymphedema. It is available on Amazon, search for Swollen, Bloated and Puffy. 

​

​

​

Head and Neck Lymphedema Class 

March 2017

 

I attended the Norton School 'Evaluation and Management of Head and Neck Lymphedema' class, taught by Brad Smith (MD Anderson  / Baylor University Medical Center). I learned more about the superficial and deep lymphatics of the head and neck and mastered techniques to treat edema in the head and neck.

​

New Videos on Youtube

February 2017

 

I have published several videos reviewing plastic surgery books on the market. If you are researching plastic surgeons, be sure and watch! 

​

https://www.youtube.com/user/khlisson

​

​

Lymphedema Seminar in Palm Springs

November 2016

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

I attended a lymphedema seminar in Palm Springs in November and met noted lymphedema surgeon Dr. Jay Granzow. Dr. Granzow shared information on his lymphedema surgery procedures - VLNT, LVA and SAPL and offered me guidance on how to treat his San Diego patients with manual lymphatic drainage when they return home. 

I also learned about the treatment of post-cancer pelvic lymphedema and treating lymphedema patients with HIV. The Ketogenic diet is being investigated as an option for lymphedema patients with obesity or a cancer history. 

​

Caring for lymphedema on vacation

October 2016

 

Traveling to San Diego on vacation? Here are some traveling tips for men and women with lymphedema. 

 



San Diego has so many opportunities to be active, from swimming in the ocean to walking or cycling around Balboa Park. I can help men and women with lymphedema enjoy San Diego and reduce the negative effects that a fun-filled day may have one their lymphedema.

​

bottom of page