Nervous about getting a massage (possibly)?
Ok so I have always wanted to get a professional massage, but have always been terrified of the thought. What if the towel doesn't cover me? Will I be embarrassed about my morbidly obese body exposed etc. I really want one and am considering it as a gift to myself when I reach 50 lbs lost. Has anyone else done this as an obese person?
I have gotten massages many times as an obese person and as a thin person after my successful RNY. Once you are on the table, you should be covered by a sheet or light blanket and all parts not being massaged at the moment are usually kept covered. Massage therapists see so many different bodies and don't even think twice about YOUR body. I think a massage to reward a 50 pound loss is a great idea! Don't let your insecurities keep you from enjoying your celebratory gift to yourself!
I've gotten many massages and they are great! Everywhere that I have gone uses sheets instead of towels and the staff have always been very professional and made me feel comfortable (i've gone to a massage therapist at my chiropractor and to the spa at Great Wolf Lodge). I was a little hesitant at first but quickly found that there is nothing to be embarrassed about. I say go for it! Enjoy!
I did occasional massages when I was obese as part of recovering from a rape. It was important for me to be able to be touched in a safe way. I went to a female LMT who had a private office, and because I was nervous and felt too uncomfortable to be completely naked, left my underwear on. She was fine with that. I have had massages from several people since then, and I now get a massage once a month with a male.
I have always had a sheet over me, never iust a towel, and they uncover just the area they are working on. I felt a little uncomfortable having my hideous thighs massaged at first, even after losing the weight, but am now fine with it. I ave been seeing the same LMT for about 4 years now, tough.
i don't know what you currently weigh (I don't generally look at people's tickers), but I will tell you that some massage tables do have a weight limit. 300 pounds is a typical limit, but some are only 250 pounds.
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
I weighed about 200 when I got a massage a few years ago. That was my gift to myself for getting to that point of weight loss, and I think this is a great way to reward yourself!! When you call, I would suggest making sure to request a woman (just feels much more comfortable). However, they usually have a blanket that you lay under on the massage table, so you wouldn't have to feel uncomfortable about being exposed. I think you definitely should! It may feel a little uncomfortable at first, but you can always leave on your undergarments to feel a little more comfortable.
I've had massage a couple of times and was always covered with a sheet, not a towel. They usually keep everything covered except the part they are working on at the moment.
A professional massage therapist has almost certainly worked on people of all shapes and sizes. You can also tell them you feel a bit embarrassed or awkward - I think many people feel like that the first time they have a massage. Many people don't feel very comfortable with their bodies.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Don't be embarrassed. They are professionals and will treat you as such. Bodies come in all sizes and I'm sure they've seen it all. They just want you to have a good experience and come back. Enjoy, you deserve it!
Surgery weight: 232 lbs. / Goal: 145 lbs. Height: 5'5" Fat? Ain't nobody got time for that.
