Don't use that soap, if you don't wanna scratch that itch

As of today, it has been a week since I had my innards re-arranged. What have I learned? Overeaters, like any addictive personality, are fleeing vainly from their emotions. They turn to the "food trance" to avoid thinking of hurts, slights (real or perceived), self-loathing, and anger over how they have handicapped themselves. And, there is a sort of grief, too, over the lost years when one could have been active, "out there," seeing and enjoying life, nature, art, music and just the joy of cooling sweat on your neck on a sunny day during a run or bike ride. Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) is a drastic, and drastically effective tool. It brings healthy weight loss while adding the gift of severing (literally) the emotional urge to escape through the drug of choice (food) and the physical cravings (and capacity) to temporarily satisfy that urge. I will make the most of this gift. The old lifestyle (certainly, upon reflection, a misnomer if there ever was one) is being replaced with the new, healthy lifestyle. And as great as these aspects of the gift are, it is much more layered than just those things. It is a spiritual, as well as physical, emancipation. The chains are slowly dropping off. The freedom of mobility, in mind, body and spirit, is just ahead. Ah, sooo profound. Now, for some practical advice for y'all out there considering WLS, or having just had it: You know that bottle of antiseptic soap the docs give you before surgery with instructions to scrub down that night before and the morning of the operation? It is not intended for continued use when you get home! Ohhhh, noooo. I figured, when I got home, what the heck; use it up. And, wanting to be clean as possible to prevent infection, I used it liberally. As in, everywhere (except the incisions, which you are not to directly touch). Well, here's the maddening punchline -- it cleans you, all right, and it also triggers some amazing rashes and exquisite itching that remind me of when I fell into some stinging nettles as a kid. Yep. Legs, back, lower back, etc. Benedryl cream helps. A little. (Remember, though, DO NOT apply any ointment to the operational area, though. In my case, about the only place not itching). Good news is that it does heal quickly. But for a couple days, argh!. Onward!

Well, they say you learn the most from mistakes. Bet you won't be making this one again.

Your post was great!

As for the soap, I had the same thoughts about using it post-op but I'm glad I didn't. I think I will just toss it or store it case I need it again for some reason. I mean $10 for a soap I used twice does seem like a lot of money...