lymphatic fluid retention

What is your opinion of lymphatic fluid retention (abdominal) after curage of lymph nodes? Is it common? 70 cls was drained at my post op over a year ago. It then stabilized and I haven't had it tapped since. Would regular drawing of it just encourage more to develop? I've been trying to get back into shape, abdo's etc, but at my last check up my surgeon said there is still a bit and it could be a while, months, maybe year(s) before my lymphatic system re routes itself properly. I'm not worried about the origin of this fluid. It's been biopsied and I've seen it (I am in the trade, not oncology). I know it's lymph. Never actually had any ascites at all. Would you suggest lymphatic draining massage, something else or just let it take it's course? I feel a bit of a fraud really, beacause it is purely esthetic on my part.  
THANKS.