Lymphatic massage - how do you know if you need it? when do you start?

I actually saw my lymphoedema physio before my surgery, I'd had chemo first, & knew that I was having a node clearance. She then had baseline measurements. I saw her 4 weeks post surgery and she repeated the measurements, all good, no change. Within a little over 2 weeks I was back seeing her again, and had gone from 0.5cm difference in measurements to a 7cm difference.  Have been wearing a sleeve ever since  :p.
Not my favourite thing, but thems the breaks  :)