Dead Skin & Women's Stuff

Okay, so I am three weeks out today and overall, this has been really easy. Sure, there have been bumps in the road and each day presents a new challenge - but nothing I haven't been prepared for. Until now.... I am wondering if anybody else out there has seen the following: Dead skin - lots of it! I feel like a snake! After every shower, my skin is literally peeling off. It's not dry, because I keep myself well hydrated and I use a good body lotion to keep my skin in good shape. It's actually a lotion with vitamins E, K & A - to help skin retain elasticity. Has anyone else experienced the dead skin?? For the ladies... A few days after surgery, my menstrual cycle began. It was early, but I knew that this could happen. Normally, you can time a watch by my cycle, it is sooo regular. In any case, it ended about 10 days ago and tonight started again. Of course, I know that the rapid weight loss is a factor, I was just wondering for those who have been through this, when did you go back to a normal cycle? Thanks all! Jen

Jen, I am 2 weeks out and so far haven't experienced the dry skin but my menstrual cycle started very soon after I came home from the hospital. I just got over one previous to that not more then 5 days before surgery. I just hope this doesn't continue for the next year because it isn't any fun having it at all let alone every other week. Maybe if it does continue getting in touch with your GYNO would be your best bet. Shannon

Hi Jen, I think some of the things you are going through are pretty normal. I had dry skin on my legs for some reason post op. Here are my suggestions that helped: Use an exfoliating body wash or body scrub - I use Dove Nutrium with microbeads, and also bought a body scrub. It helps to get those dead skin cells off, it takes about a week but it's really a great feeling and doesn't take long at all. I also use Oil of Olay Moisture Rinse, it's a conditioner for your skin you use in the shower, you put it on for about a minute and rinse. Smells a little on the strong perfumey side, but if you handle it until you rinse off, it's good stuff. And finally Johnson and Johnson makes a spray of baby oil now, very light, not greasy, in the baby aisle. All of these things you can buy at Walmart or Target. It also helps to make you feel like your super pampering yourself which we all so deserve, so I say go for it !!! I also got my period very shortly post op, I think it's just induced by a shift in your hormones in response to weight loss. Hope that helps, Take Care, Stephanie