Problem Skin

Did anyone have problem skin before surgery, and if yes, did your skin improve after you lost weight?

Wow I had no skin problem before surgery and now I have bumps everywhere on my face and my stuff.

Well, that's not what I wanted to hear LOL.  I already have a slight case of acne, I don't want it getting worse.

What was limited to my face and chest area, prior to surgery spread to my back and buttucks (i know TMI).  Me being A-A finding a doc that could help me find relief for my problematic A-A skin was difficult but we have two really good dermatologist in this area that work great.  One is Dr. Anita Henderson in Columbia, MD and the other is Dr. Cheryl Burgess (she helped formulate the make-up line Black Opal and was an advice columnist for Essence magazine years ago).  Check them out if you feel as if you need to see a doc to correct the problem.   Dr. Henderson - 410-997-6991 Dr. Burgess - www.ctr4dermatology.com Tarsha

Hi Sandi, When you mean problem skin do you mean acne or extra skin? I will give you an answer on both.  lol   I didn' t know I had rosecea (sp) it really got worse after surgery. You have so much estrogen stored in your fat cells and when you start losing that hormone dumps quickly all at once in your system. So you will break out but if you go to the dermatologist and get treated everything will be fine.  I went to the dermatologist a month and a half ago and she diagnosed me with Rosecea. I can only use the gel on my face and I buy some other stuff to help me out but the pills she prescribed I can not take because it is an extended release medication and that does not work with the bypass.   Second I have been obese for a very long time and I have a lot of stretch marks. I have had extra skin from before surgery and now that I am losing the extra skin is getting worse.  But I rather lose the weight be healthy and deal with the extra skin later.  I had seen a plastic surgeon in one of DVR's support group meetings and he was saying once your skin has stretched so much it does not matter how much exercise you do to tighten it,  unfortunately it wil never go back. That is different with some people it can be different. I hope I answered your question. 

Thanks Cira.  I was talking about acne.  That will just be one of those minor things I'm willing to live with in order to get healthy.

Well I had problem skin before the surgery (acne sufferer and seribrus dermititus [severe dandriff that spread from scalp to forehead and ears]) before the surgery.  However after the surgery I developed itcy patches all over my body likely due to severe dry skin.  I always see a dermatologist and have a boatload of products that I use.  Shortly after the surgery [because I'm vain] I saw my doc and told her that I didn't like the scar [had open gastric bypass] and wante to reduce the appearance of it.  She gave me Cordrone tape to put over the scar [which worked great] lac-hydrin cream for the dry, itchy skin and I use several other creams to control my acne and get rid of any bumps and scaring due to scratching.  Two dermatologist I recommend are Anita Henderson (410-997-6991) in Columbia, MD or Dr. Cheryl Burgess (www.ctr4dermatology.com) in Washington, D.C.  Dr. Henderson is way affordable and convenient since she accepts my insurance.  Dr. Burgess however is really expensive ($150 a visit) and doesn't accept insurance.  Dr. Burgess however sells a bleaching cream that works great on my scaring and was the perscribing doctor for my cordrone tape.  I see Dr. Henderson on a regular basis and purchase by Bleaching cream from Dr. Burgess by faxing in my order and having it mailed to me.  In this manner I avoid the cost of the visit + parking fees and have it delivered to my door.  Tarsha

Thanks Tarsha!

YW!  Good luck to you.   T.

OK...I will throw in my two cents.    I had mild acne before surgery.   Probably due more to my diet than any dermatological issues.   That has all but gone away post-op.   About 2 weeks out from the surgery, I developed the same problem you have seen listed in few other resposnes.   It was a bumpy rash that acted and felt a lot like dry skin.   Mine showed up on my legs and on my sides (and to some extent my back).  When I talked to my Nut about it, she recommended trying an Oil of Olay product that is essentially a conditioner for your skin.   You shower and use your regular soap (although she also recommended using one of the moisturizing soaps from Olay as well - which I did) then you spread this stuff on.   It is a little greasy feeling.   Then you rinse it off and towel dry.    Everything cleared up in about a week of using this stuff.   I now use it once a week and have not had any trouble with the rash or itching coming back. One more thing...since I am male, I did not have to deal with the estrogen thing...can't help you there! :-)