Top 7 Lymphatic Drainage Networks and Training Programs in 2026

For plastic surgeons and their practice teams. Updated October 2, 2026 · Prepared by Prospyr. Prospyr makes practice software, not lymphatic therapy or training, and none of the organizations below is a Prospyr product or partner. Each summary reflects what the organization publishes on its own website, checked October 2026. Course prices, dates and directory listings change, so confirm them in writing before you enroll staff or refer patients.

How do plastic surgeons find trained lymphatic drainage therapists?

Plastic surgeons find trained lymphatic drainage therapists in two ways: through the therapist directories run by lymphatic training schools and nonprofits, or by sending their own staff to a post-surgical lymphatic drainage course. Schools such as the Academy of Lymphatic Studies and the Norton School now run courses built around liposuction, abdominoplasty, breast surgery and BBL recovery, and award their own credentials. Directories let you search by location for therapists who finished a named training. Neither replaces your own check of the therapist's state license and experience with your procedures.

The 7 lymphatic drainage networks and training programs at a glance

How we chose this list

We looked for organizations a practice manager can use in one of two ways: to find a lymphatic therapist for patients, or to train one on staff. We checked four things on each website:

• Post-surgical content. We favored courses that name aesthetic surgery procedures, drains and compression garments.
• Entry requirements. Programs that require a current license or prior MLD certification rank higher.
• A searchable directory. Credit went to organizations that let you look up trained therapists by location.
• Published terms. Hours, credential names and tuition on the site count in a program's favor.

Lymphatic drainage is mostly delivered by local independent therapists, so few true networks exist. This list leans on the schools and directories that train and list them. The order is our editorial view, not a measure of results.

1. Academy of Lymphatic Studies (ACOLS)

The Academy of Lymphatic Studies is a manual lymph drainage and lymphedema school based in Sebastian, Florida. It states it is an approved provider for the AOTA, NCBTMB and several state professional boards, and it keeps a therapist directory.

What stands out:

• A plastic surgery course. "Advanced MLD: Management of Post Plastic Surgery Procedures" is 28 contact hours and covers liposuction, tummy tucks, breast surgery and Brazilian buttock lifts, plus complications, compression and patient evaluation.
• Credential. Graduates receive the Certified Plastic Surgery Therapist (CPST) title from ACOLS.
• Entry bar. The course is for therapists already certified in MLD through ACOLS or an equivalent program, or certified lymphedema therapists.
• Price and format. $1,100 as of October 2026, offered in person over three days, hybrid, or as a five-evening live webinar. Its schedule lists sessions in cities including Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta and Chicago into 2027.
• Face and neck. A separate 18-hour course covers post-surgical care after facial procedures.

Right for: practices that want a therapist on staff or nearby with a credential tied to aesthetic surgery. Ask: whether the directory can filter for CPST graduates, and how the course handles drains and early post-op timing.

2. Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy

The Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy trains lymphedema therapists and runs a Cosmetic Surgery Therapy Certification. It also lists therapist referrals as a service.

What stands out:

• Length. 48 hours of instruction in a blended distance and live format, with class days running Monday to Saturday.
• Who can enroll. PTs, PTAs, OTs, COTAs, SLPs, RNs, LPNs/LVNs, NPs, MDs, PAs, DOs, massage therapists and CLTs, with proof of a current state license.
• Content. Manual lymph drainage of the face and body, compression bandages and garments, edema and bruising, scar care, pain, and the psychological side of recovery.
• Credential and price. Certified Cosmetic Surgery Therapist (CCST), with tuition of $3,500 listed as of October 2026.

Right for: practices that want to train a nurse or medical assistant with a license, not only a massage therapist. Ask: the next class dates on its schedule page, and how much of the 48 hours is hands-on.

3. Klose Training

Klose Training is a Colorado-based lymphedema education company founded by Guenter Klose, who it says has trained therapists since 1986. Its Lymphedema Therapy Certification runs 135 hours, 75 online and 60 in the classroom, and it also offers an MLD certification and a therapist directory.

Its home page does not list a course specific to aesthetic surgery, so treat it as a source of therapists with deep lymphatic training rather than plastic surgery protocols.

Right for: surgeons who want therapists with full lymphedema certification, or who also see reconstructive and oncology patients. Ask: directory therapists about their aesthetic surgery caseload before you add them to your referral list.

4. Dr. Vodder School International

Dr. Vodder School International is based in North Vancouver, Canada, and describes itself as the source of the original Dr. Vodder method of manual lymph drainage. It lists training centers in several countries including the United States, runs courses for health care professionals and estheticians, and has a "Find a Professional" search for lymphedema therapists, MLD therapists, garment fitters and estheticians.

Right for: practices that want to find Vodder-trained therapists or estheticians close to patients' homes. Ask: which US course dates are coming up, and whether its esthetician track covers post-surgical care. Pricing is not published on the pages we checked.

5. My LaVetta

My LaVetta runs a two-day post-op lymphatic drainage course from Spanish Fork, Utah, and will travel to teach outside Utah. The course is NCBTMB approved for 16 CEUs, and day two includes hands-on work with post-op patients. Content covers lymphatic anatomy, drain placement, bolstering, compression garments, cupping, contraindications and scar work.

It lists the price as $400 per course, or $800 for both courses, as of October 2026. Enrollment is open to licensed massage therapists, massage students and apprentices, RNs, and Utah-licensed master estheticians. Instructor Katrina Long reports 26 years as a licensed massage therapist and co-founded a Utah med spa.

Right for: practices that want a short, practical course for a massage therapist already on the team. Ask: whether the course will come to your city, and check your own state's rules on who may perform the work.

6. National Lymphedema Network

The National Lymphedema Network is a nonprofit founded in 1988 that offers education, advocacy and support for people with lymphedema and related conditions. It keeps a Lymphedema Therapy Directory and publishes position papers for clinicians.

Right for: practices that want a directory not run by a single training school. Ask: listed therapists about their plastic surgery experience, because the directory is built around lymphedema care.

7. Blys

Blys is a mobile wellness booking platform that sends massage therapists to homes, hotels and offices. Its US lymphatic drainage page names cities including Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, Houston, Austin and Miami, and mentions post-operative sessions. It lists prices from $139 for 60 minutes and $199 for 90 minutes as of October 2026, and says therapists are vetted and insured.

Right for: patients who want a session in their hotel or home in a large city when your usual therapist is booked. Ask: whether you can request a therapist with post-surgical training, because the platform serves general massage as well.

Questions to ask any lymphatic drainage therapist or training program

1. What license does the therapist hold? Massage, nursing and physical therapy licenses each set limits on hands-on work. Confirm the license on your state board lookup.
2. What post-surgical training did they finish? Ask for the course name, hours and credential, such as CPST or CCST, and compare with the programs above.
3. How do they handle drains, garments and timing? Your protocol should set when sessions start and what pressure is allowed, and the therapist should follow it.
4. When do they call the practice? Agree on findings that stop a session and trigger a call, such as fever, sudden swelling, or wound changes.
5. Will they sign a BAA? If your team shares op notes or patient details, a business associate agreement should be in place.
6. Do they carry insurance? Ask for proof of professional liability coverage before you add them to your referral list.

Where Prospyr fits

Most surgeons refer post-op lymphatic work out, which means a patient handout and a phone number. In Prospyr, your team can send that referral and recovery instructions with follow-up messages, and practices that offer sessions in-house can sell them as packages. If you are reviewing your practice software, book a practice demo.

For the rest of the recovery picture, see our lists of plastic surgery recovery homes and nurses, mobile anesthesia groups and medical tourism facilitators.

Frequently asked questions

What certification should a post-op lymphatic therapist have?

There is no single required credential for aesthetic post-op work. Look for a current state license plus a named post-surgical course, such as the ACOLS Certified Plastic Surgery Therapist or Norton's Certified Cosmetic Surgery Therapist. Therapists with full lymphedema certification from schools such as Klose or Vodder have deeper lymphatic training but may have less aesthetic surgery experience.

Can my medical assistant or esthetician do lymphatic drainage?

It depends on your state. Scope-of-practice rules for massage and esthetics differ, and some training programs above only accept licensed professionals. Check with your state boards before you assign the work.

How much does post-surgical lymphatic drainage training cost?

Published prices on this list range from $400 for a two-day course to $3,500 for a 48-hour certification, as of October 2026. Add travel, time away from patients, and any prerequisite MLD course.

Do surgeons need to refer patients to a specific therapist?

No. Many practices give patients a short list of therapists they have vetted. If any money changes hands between the practice and a therapist, review the arrangement with a healthcare attorney first.

Want your company considered?

We review this list quarterly. Companies that train or connect lymphatic therapists for plastic surgery patients can send their website and what they offer practices to info@prospyrmed.com; inclusion is editorial and not paid.

Editorial scope

This list is based on each organization's public website, checked October 2026 with AI-assisted research. Organizations did not review this article before publication. It is not a guarantee of results or a substitute for checking licensure, training and references. Read our methodology or report a correction.