Skin and complexion - haven't seen this covered yet

Since the surgery my normally combo skin (with definite oily spots) has become quite dry.  When I smile I have big, dry-looking wrinkles around my eyes.  And then below my jawline I've had monster breakouts.  I do drink at least 90-100 oz of water each day. Has anyone else had their skin go nuts after surgery?  If so, did you find anything that helped?  I'm 44, so I guess I should expect some drying.  I wonder if it is "loose skin" on my face.  I'm already finding it on the backs of my upper legs.  -Dawn

I had the same problem for a few months after surgery - I had dry patches all over the place. I think it was primarily the anesthesia, it really messes up your body. I tried everything but nothing really worked - then it just magically cleared up and my skin is flawless now. Just give it time and keep up with your lotion/exfoliation/etc and it will just disappear. I know when my mom had knee surgery she had the same problem - it's just seems to be a side affect of surgery.

I'm enjoying my new skin.  People tell me I glow!  Whether that's the sweat from working out, or just the vitamins and better nutrition, I don't know.  But I do like it and the compliments and less breakouts for sure.

My skin was all out of whack after surgery.  I developed Rosacea, finally went to the Dermatologist and he gave me some special cream and told me to quit using fancy expensive soaps to watch my face. He had me start using Head N Shoulders (a dime size drop) to wash my face everyday and it slowly all cleared up. I went through periods of very bad break outs right after surgery too. I think my body was so use to eating junk all the time that it had a hard time adjusting.

HEY DAWN,     FUNNY YOU POST THIS... AS  I SIT HERE READING THIS I AM BROKE OUT LIKE A TEENAGER ON THE FACE. NOW ALL MY LIFE I HAVE READ THAT FOODS YOU EAT HELP WITH BREAKOUTS. WELL,.... GIVE ME A BREAK. JEEZ CAN I EAT ANY DIFFERENT NOW THAN I EVER HAVE? SO I HAVE OILY SKIN AND AM OLDER NOW AND HAVE TO KEEP THE OLE LEATHER LUBRICATED LOL... I HAVE BEEN IN THE SUN MORE NOW LATELY AND USE DOVE CREAM OIL. IM SURE ITS NOT THE BEST FOR BREAKOUTS BECAUSE HECK, I HAVE OILY SKIN TO START WITH BUT OMG IT FEELS SO GOOD. I EVEN BOUGHT THE SOAP. BUT OH WELL... I EVEN BROKE OUT WHEN I WASNT USING THIS PRODUCT.... I THINK ITS JUST THE WAY IT GOES... BUT I REALLY DONT SEE A HUGE DIFFERENCE WITH THE SKIN SINCE WLS... HAIR FALLING OUT WAS A WHOLE NOTHER SUBJECT BUT NOT SKIN... HUGS MARGE

I'm not to 3 months quite yet so I don't know how the hair thing is going to go.  All I can say is that my MAIN motivation for getting to at least 60 gms of protein asap was so I wouldn't lose my hair!  It just kills me that I could hit 400 lbs but be so hung up on the hair.   I just have to laugh at myself

I've always had good skin, it was the only thing I had going for me in high school when everyone else was breaking out haha.  I now seem to be breaking out a lot, especially around my TOM.  Stupid hormones.  Dry skin?  A little bit, mainly on my back and shoulders, which I have always had intermittent problems with because I take really hot showers.  Your skin is very much a reflection of your health (at least according to my Chinese boss who goes on and on about it LOL) I do know water isn't the only thing you need - how much fat are you eating?  If you are going super low fat, you will have dry skin - I see it over and over again on some of the other boards.  I recommend adding a few healthy fats into your diet in moderate amounts - like avocado, salmon, grapeseed or canola oil, flax seed or flaxseed oil, etc.  When I get plenty of omega 3 and omega 6 and vitamin E my skin glows.  As far as face products - I've used the same two things for several years - oil of olay age defying scrub - it has a black label (I like it because its not drying, its very creamy, barely any little scrubbers, no strong smell, and I like alpha hydroxy action) and then to moisturize I use a few drops jojoba oil. Its a liquid wax, similar to the sebum your skin naturally makes, and it soaks right in.  It did wonders for my face when I started using it.  I buy a teeny little bottle of Jason's organic stuff for 8 bucks and it lasts easily 6 months, and its safe for delicate eye skin.  I gave up trying any other products but these two, because everything else compared unfavorably.  Good luck!

Thanks for the suggestions.  I think I'll add that to my shopping list! -Dawn

I haven't had the surgery, yet, but I have been using an olive oil based soap for about 3 months now and I can't believe the difference in my skin.  I wash my face and hands with it every morning before taking my bath.  It doesn't suds up at all, which is why my hubby doesn't like it and won't use it (I got it for him for his psoriasis), but my skin is softer looking and feeling and the dry patches are gone.  I use an olive oil hand cream from Artemis, also.  I don't know if this will help, just thought I'd let you know. Karla

I was re-reading this today so I could write down the product name and I picked up on your comment about omega 3.  Do you take a supplement?  Before surgery I took fish oil and coenzyme Q and haven't taken those since surgery.  I was just curious. Thanks! -dawn