Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy Package
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Written & reviewed by Vikram Kashyap, Medical Consultant, Satyug Healthcare
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| Surgery Name | Cost | Room | Hospitalization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy Package | 6500 USD | Twin Sharing | 2 weeks admission basis |
| Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy Package (OPD) | 2000 USD | 2 weeks Out Patient Department | No Admission |
✓ Inclusion
- ✔14 days hospital admission in a twin-sharing room with meals and nursing care
- ✔Initial assessment by rehabilitation / lymphedema physician
- ✔Limb circumference and volume measurements throughout the programme
- ✔Daily Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) sessions by certified therapists
- ✔Multi-layer short-stretch compression bandaging after each session
- ✔Supervised decongestive exercise and breathing therapy
- ✔Daily skin and nail care to prevent infection
- ✔Doppler scan to rule out blood clots before therapy
- ✔Self-massage and self-bandaging training for patient and family
- ✔Discharge summary with home exercise and garment plan
- ✔Free: airport pick-up & drop, visa invitation letter, interpreter & coordinator (Satyug Healthcare)
✗ Exclusion
- ✖Custom compression sleeves, stockings and gloves
- ✖Lymphoscintigraphy, MRI and other special scans
- ✖Echocardiogram and specialist consultations beyond the lymphedema team
- ✖Treatment of cellulitis, filariasis or other illnesses
- ✖Lymphatic surgery or liposuction
- ✖Hotel accommodation before or after admission
- ✖Flights, visa fees and travel insurance
- ✖Take-home medicines and bandaging kits
- ✖Private room upgrade
Know More About Procedure & Surgery
🇮🇳 REHABILITATION PACKAGE — INDIA
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) Therapy Package in India
A 2-week intensive inpatient programme of manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging, exercise and skin care for arm or leg lymphedema – after breast cancer, gynaecological cancer surgery, filariasis or from birth – by certified therapists at Indian hospitals.
✅ Free Medical Opinion in 48–72 h🖐️ Certified CDT/MLD Therapists💰 Starting USD 6,500✈️ Visa & Airport Support🗣️ Interpreter Available
⏱️
1–2 hrs
Therapy daily
🏥
14 days
Admission (twin sharing)
📉
30–60%
Excess swelling reduced
📅
2–3 weeks
Total stay in India
📖 What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)?
The lymphatic system is a network of thin vessels and small glands (lymph nodes) that collects extra fluid from the tissues and returns it to the blood. When lymph vessels or nodes are damaged or did not form properly, fluid builds up under the skin and the arm, leg or other body part swells. This long-term swelling is called lymphedema. It often follows cancer surgery that removes lymph nodes (breast, uterus, cervix, prostate, melanoma), radiotherapy, infection such as filariasis (elephantiasis, common in Africa and South Asia), or can be present from birth (primary lymphedema).
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a special, very gentle, rhythmic skin massage developed by Dr Emil Vodder and his wife Estrid in the 1930s. It moves fluid from the swollen area towards working lymph vessels. MLD works best as part of Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT): MLD, multi-layer compression bandaging, special exercises and skin care. This 2-week inpatient package gives daily intensive CDT so the swelling goes down as much as possible, then fits you with compression garments and teaches you self-care to keep the result at home.
🖼️ Understand It in Pictures
💡 In simple words
Lymphoedema is long-term swelling, often in an arm or leg, when the body's drainage system (the lymph system) does not work well. It cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. Therapy combines gentle lymph drainage massage, compression bandages, skin care and exercise.
Normal limb vs lymphoedema
👀 Symptoms in Pictures
🎬 The Treatment Journey in Pictures
📅 Recovery at a Glance
🩺 Conditions Treated
🎗️
Lymphedema after breast cancer
Arm, hand or chest swelling after removal of armpit lymph nodes and/or radiotherapy.
🦵
Leg lymphedema after cancer surgery
Leg or genital swelling after surgery for cervical, uterine, ovarian, prostate cancer or melanoma.
🦟
Filarial lymphedema (elephantiasis)
Swelling caused by filarial worm infection; CDT and skin care reduce swelling and infection attacks.
👶
Primary lymphedema
Swelling from birth, childhood or teenage years due to poorly formed lymph vessels.
🍐
Lipedema
Painful, symmetrical fat build-up in the legs; MLD helps pain and any fluid component.
🩹
Post-surgery & venous swelling
Swelling after liposuction, joint or plastic surgery, and chronic venous oedema (with doctor approval).
⚠️ Signs That May Need Treatment
- ➤Swelling of one arm or leg that does not go away
- ➤Feeling of heaviness or tightness in the limb
- ➤Rings, shoes or clothes feel tight
- ➤Skin becoming thick, hard or rough
- ➤Repeated skin infections (cellulitis)
- ➤Reduced movement of the hand, elbow, knee or ankle
- ➤Deep skin folds or small wart-like growths
- ➤Leaking of clear fluid from the skin
💡 MLD is not for every swelling. Swelling from heart failure, kidney or liver disease, a blood clot (DVT) or an active infection needs medical treatment first; MLD can be harmful in these cases. Very mild lymphedema may be controlled with a compression garment and exercise alone, and some patients may be suited for lymphatic surgery (LVA or lymph node transfer).
🔬 Tests Before Treatment
| Test | Why it is done |
|---|---|
| Limb circumference and volume measurement | Measures swelling at fixed points to track how much fluid is removed. |
| Doppler ultrasound of veins | Rules out blood clots (DVT) and vein disease before massage and bandaging. |
| Lymphoscintigraphy (if needed) | A nuclear scan that shows how well the lymph vessels drain. |
| Echocardiogram / heart check | Makes sure the heart can handle extra fluid moving back into the blood. |
| Blood tests (CBC, kidney, liver, thyroid, albumin) | Rule out other causes of swelling; check filaria antigen if relevant. |
| Cancer status review | Confirms there is no active cancer in the treated area. |
🏥 The Procedure — Step by Step
1
Arrival and admission
You are admitted to a twin-sharing room; the lymphedema doctor reviews your history.
2
Assessment
Limb measurements, photos, Doppler and blood tests are done to confirm MLD is safe.
3
Treatment plan
The therapist sets your daily programme and goals.
4
Daily MLD sessions
Gentle massage starting at the neck and trunk, then the swollen limb, for 45–60 minutes.
5
Compression bandaging
Multi-layer short-stretch bandages are applied after each session and worn day and night.
6
Exercise therapy
Breathing and limb exercises done while bandaged to pump fluid out.
7
Skin and nail care
Daily moisturising and checking for cracks to prevent infection.
8
Measuring progress
Limb is measured every few days to track volume reduction.
9
Garment fitting
When swelling stops falling, you are measured for compression sleeves or stockings.
10
Self-care training and discharge
You and your family learn self-massage, self-bandaging and exercises before discharge on day 14.
⚖️ Treatment Options
| Option | What is done | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| IPD intensive CDT (this package) | 14 days admission with daily MLD, bandaging, exercise and nursing | Moderate–severe lymphedema, filarial swelling, patients from abroad |
| OPD CDT programme | Same therapy on 2-week outpatient basis | Mild–moderate lymphedema, able to travel daily |
| Compression garment + exercise | Garment and home exercise only | Mild or well-controlled lymphedema |
| Lymphatic surgery (LVA / lymph node transfer) | Microsurgery to create new drainage routes | Early–moderate lymphedema not controlled by CDT |
| Liposuction for lymphedema | Removes hardened fatty tissue | Late-stage, solid (non-pitting) swelling |
📊 Studies and the International Society of Lymphology consensus show that intensive Complete Decongestive Therapy (MLD, compression bandaging, exercise and skin care) reduces excess limb volume by roughly 30–60%, and lifelong compression is needed to keep the result.
📅 Your Day-by-Day Plan in India
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in India, airport pick-up and hospital admission (twin sharing) |
| Day 2 | Assessment, measurements, Doppler and blood tests |
| Day 3–7 | Daily MLD, bandaging and exercise – largest drop in swelling |
| Day 8–12 | Therapy continues; self-bandaging and self-massage training |
| Day 13 | Compression garment measurement and fitting |
| Day 14 | Final measurements and discharge (2-week admission) |
| Day 15–16 | Rest at hotel; garment check |
| Day 17 | Fly home ✈️ |
🌱 Recovery After Treatment
📉
Week 1
Swelling falls fastest; limb feels lighter; bandages feel tight but should not be painful.
🧻
Week 2
Swelling reduction slows; you learn self-bandaging and fitting the garment.
🧦
Month 1
Wear the compression garment daily; do exercises and self-MLD at home.
🧴
Month 1–3
Daily skin care to prevent cellulitis; report redness or fever at once.
🔄
Month 6
New garments every 6 months as they lose pressure.
📅
Yearly
Repeat intensive therapy only if swelling increases again.
🏆 Success Rate
| Outcome | Result |
|---|---|
| Excess limb volume reduction after intensive CDT | About 30–60% |
| Fewer skin infection (cellulitis) attacks | Common with good skin care |
| Results kept long-term with daily compression | Most patients who wear garments |
| Better movement and less heaviness | Most patients |
| Need for repeat intensive course | Some patients every 1–2 years |
Results are best in earlier, softer (pitting) lymphedema, when compression garments are worn every day, weight is controlled and skin infections are prevented. Hard, long-standing swelling improves less.
🩹 Risks & Possible Complications
MLD and CDT are very safe when done by trained therapists after medical screening.
- •Discomfort or tightness from bandages (common in the first days)
- •Skin redness or irritation under bandages
- •Tiredness or passing more urine as fluid moves
- •Worsening of heart failure if not screened – avoided by heart check
- •Spread of infection if done during active cellulitis – treatment is paused
- •Nerve or circulation problems if bandages are too tight (rare)
- •Swelling returning if garments are not worn
💰 Cost of Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) in India
The cost of a 2-week inpatient Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) therapy package in India starts from about USD 6,500 with twin-sharing room. A 2-week outpatient (OPD) programme without admission costs about USD 2,000. The package includes daily therapy, bandaging, exercise and doctor reviews.
| Option / Hospital tier | Approx. cost (USD) | Hospital stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLD/CDT package – IPD (this package) | 6,500 | 2 weeks admission – twin sharing | Daily therapy, nursing, meals |
| MLD/CDT package – OPD | 2,000 | 2 weeks outpatient – no admission | Hotel stay extra |
| Custom compression garment (per limb) | 150 – 400 | — | Flat-knit garments cost more |
| Lymphatic surgery (LVA) | 5,000 – 8,000 | 3–5 days | For selected patients |
⚠️ Final cost depends on the number of limbs treated, bandage and garment needs, extra tests such as lymphoscintigraphy and the hospital chosen. Quotes are confirmed after the specialist examines the patient in India.
📋 What the Package Includes
✅ Included
- ✔14 days admission (twin sharing)
- ✔Daily MLD by certified therapist
- ✔Multi-layer compression bandaging
- ✔Exercise therapy & skin care
- ✔Doctor reviews & limb measurements
- ✔Self-care training
- ✔Free airport pick-up & coordinator
❌ Not Included
- ✖Custom compression garments
- ✖Lymphoscintigraphy & special scans
- ✖Treatment of infection or other illness
- ✖Lymphatic surgery
- ✖Hotel stay outside admission
- ✖Flights & visa fees
- ✖Take-home medicines
✈️ Your Medical Travel Process with Satyug Healthcare
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Send reports | Details of cancer surgery and radiotherapy (operation notes, discharge summary), recent cancer follow-up report, limb photos from front and side, any Doppler or lymphoscintigraphy report, heart and kidney reports, and history of skin infections. |
| 2. Free opinion & quotes | Within 48-72 hours you receive opinions and cost estimates from 3-5 leading hospitals to compare. |
| 3. Choose hospital & doctor | We help you compare doctors, success rates, room options and total budget. |
| 4. Medical visa | The hospital issues a Visa Invitation Letter (VIL) to the Indian Embassy. The patient and up to 2 attendants apply for an e-Medical / Medical Attendant visa. |
| 5. Travel planning | Flight guidance, wheelchair assistance, airport pick-up, hotel or guest house near the hospital. |
| 6. Treatment in India | Your coordinator and interpreter stay with you for admission, treatment, discharge and billing. |
| 7. Return & follow-up | Fit-to-fly letter, medicines, and online follow-up with your doctor after you return home. |
🎒 Travel Checklist
- 📌Valid passport (6+ months) for the patient and attendants, plus 10 passport-size photos each
- 📌Medical visa / e-visa and the hospital’s Visa Invitation Letter
- 📌All cancer treatment summaries, Doppler/lymphoscintigraphy reports, limb photos and prescriptions
- 📌Yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory for travellers from African countries)
- 📌Polio vaccination certificate where applicable
- 📌Declare cash above USD 5,000 at the airport; hospitals accept wire transfer and cards
- 📌Foreigners staying longer than permitted must register with the FRRO — our team assists
⭐ Why Choose Satyug Healthcare?
🏥
Top Accredited Hospitals
Lymphedema therapy is offered by rehabilitation and lymphedema units at centres such as Medanta – The Medicity, Max Super Speciality Hospital Saket, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Apollo Hospitals and Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, along with dedicated lymphedema clinics linked to cancer hospitals.
👨⚕️
Senior Specialists
Your therapy is supervised by rehabilitation physicians and delivered by therapists certified in MLD and Complete Decongestive Therapy.
💵
Transparent Pricing
Multiple written quotes to compare — no hidden charges, no extra fee for our service.
🤝
End-to-End Support
Visa, airport pick-up, accommodation, interpreter and 24/7 coordinator.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
➤ How much does MLD therapy cost in India?
A 2-week inpatient package starts from about USD 6,500 with twin-sharing room. A 2-week outpatient programme costs about USD 2,000. Compression garments are extra.
➤ Why choose the inpatient (IPD) package?
Daily therapy, bandaging, nursing and meals are all in one place, which helps patients with severe swelling, mobility problems or filarial lymphedema. It also avoids daily travel from a hotel.
➤ How long is the treatment?
The intensive phase is 2 weeks with daily sessions. After that, you continue lifelong self-care with compression garments and exercise at home.
➤ How long do I need to stay in India?
About 2–3 weeks, including 14 days of admission and garment fitting.
➤ Is MLD painful?
No. MLD is a very light, slow massage and should not hurt. Bandages feel tight at first but should not be painful.
➤ How much will my swelling reduce?
Most patients lose about 30–60% of the extra swelling during intensive therapy. Softer, recent swelling responds best.
➤ Will lymphedema be cured?
Lymphedema is usually a long-term condition. MLD and CDT control it well, but daily compression and self-care are needed to keep the result.
➤ Can MLD spread cancer?
There is no good evidence that MLD spreads cancer. However, active cancer in the treated area is checked first, and your oncologist's advice is followed.
➤ Who should not have MLD?
People with active skin infection, a recent blood clot (DVT), uncontrolled heart failure or serious kidney disease should not have MLD until treated.
➤ Does it help filarial lymphedema (elephantiasis)?
Yes. CDT, skin hygiene and treating infections reduce swelling and the number of painful attacks. Anti-filarial medicines may also be advised.
➤ Can I work after the programme?
Yes. Most people return to normal life after discharge, wearing compression garments during the day.
➤ Can family members learn the technique?
Yes. Family members are taught simple self-MLD and bandaging so they can help at home.
➤ Can an attendant stay with me and is a visa needed?
Yes. Satyug Healthcare sends a visa invitation letter, and up to two attendants can travel on medical attendant visas.
➤ What follow-up is needed after going home?
Wear garments daily, replace them every 6 months, and send measurements and photos to your therapist for online review. Repeat intensive therapy only if swelling increases.
💬 Get a Free Opinion & Cost Estimate
Send your medical reports today and receive opinions from India’s top specialists within 48-72 hours.
📞 +91-8860606766 | +91-9910655125 | ✉️ query@satyughealthcare.com
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information and does not replace a consultation with a qualified specialist. Treatment plans and costs are confirmed only after the patient is examined. Sources: International Society of Lymphology Consensus Document 2020; NCBI StatPearls: Lymphedema; NCBI StatPearls: Manual Lymphatic Drainage; NHS: Lymphoedema; Cleveland Clinic: Lymphedema; Cochrane review: Manual lymphatic drainage for lymphedema following breast cancer treatment (Ezzo 2015); WHO: Lymphatic filariasis morbidity management. Infographics: Satyug Healthcare.
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