Bariatric surgery and Massage

[Melly<3]

Hi All,

I had a client schedule a stone massage with me a few months back and she came in again last week. She informed me that six weeks ago she had bariatric surgery (i.e. along the lines of gastric bypass).

I let her know that without a doctor's consent I did not feel comfortable working on her, especially with excess heat involved. She completely understood.

So, fast forward, she has gotten the doctor's ok and we are scheduled to work tomorrow evening. Has anyone else worked with clients who have had bariatric surgery? Any discoveries while working that would support me in this session?

I am thrilled that she rebooked!

Thanks!

 

[nani poo]

Well the session with this client was this evening after the ok from her physician.

The session went smoothly - we avoided work on the abdominal area other than just very light energy work.

She found the session relaxing and renewing.

If I find out more information on bariatric surgery and massage I will post it.

 

[PH D]

Thanks for letting us know.

I am sorry I couldn't have been of more help.

 

[Jabroni]

Two of my male clients have had bariatric surgeries. The one fellow lost over 200 lbs. The other fellow, about 125 lbs. The first fellow is rather sedentary except for the occasional pickup football game. Because he was so extremely large, even after the surgical removal of over 20 lbs of skin from his arms, thighs, and abdomen, his tissue is extremely "squishy squashy" [technical term] in those areas. It's been quite a while since he's been in for a massage, but, when we were working together more frequently, he just wanted me to make hime relax more than repair anything for him. That worked out well for me, because the tissue seemed to be slightly more fragile because of the remaining adipose tissues in the abdomen, thighs and upper arms. The other fellow, more active, more fit prior to surgery, I work on him as if he had never been heavy or had the surgery. He is very much more fit, more robust in health and his doctor told him to proceed with anything and everything he wanted to do with his life post-surgery.

I think you will find that working with bariatric patients is definitely "one type massage don't fit all" kind of situation.

Good luck!