Question:
Will my Fred Flinstone feet ever go away?!?!

I posted this on the message board last night, but I'm hoping I may get more responses here . . . I am very satisfied with my progress so far (-72, Open RNY 8-7-03, 5'6", 248/176/140). I've gone from a size 26/28 to a misses 14; my own best friend who hasn't seen me in 3 months didn't even recognize me when I walked into her workplace to suprise her!! But, I still have these fat opie looking Fred Flinstone feet! I see a lot of post-ops with cute feet in sexy sandals, and I wonder if I'll ever be able to wear them. So, all you sexy feet ladies out there--when did you lose the Fred Flinstone feet?? Also, my feet/ankles have "dirty looking" patches on them. Pre-op, my PCP told me it was a combination of my weight, age & the sun. Does anybody else have this, and does it go away? Thanks! Audra    — jellybean0605 (posted on December 9, 2003)


December 9, 2003
Don't know about the feet but as far the "dirty looking" patches.........I had something similar on my neck and the marks have faded since I've lost 71 pounds (40 before surgery and 31 since). I was told by someone that the patches on my neck were a result of being insulin resistant. I also had those ugly little skin tags on my neck and they've totally gone away too. The condition has some name but I can't remember what it is so maybe your marks will fade too. Good luck
   —  SCbabe B.

December 9, 2003
Your only 4 months post-op and no where near done yet with weight loss. I'm sure you will see some difference in your feet. It surprised me but I had been an 8 1/2 forever, and recently went shoe shopping and was wearing a size 8.
   — Cindy R.

December 9, 2003
I can't believe someone else calls them Fred Flinstone feet! I believe I make reference to my flinstone feet in my profile! And the dirty looking spots. Thanks so much for asking. I'm interested in seeing what the responses are as well.
   — Michelle J.

December 9, 2003
I don't have "flintstone" feet but I did have dirty patches (mostly in the bends of my ankles). I have similar dark patches on my neck and have been told it's from years of my skin being "bent" - they described it similar to a piece of paper that you keep bending and bending and eventually it wears out. The nice thing about skin is that it exfoliates. I have been getting a professional pedicure every two weeks for the last two years and my feet look beautiful now. With weight loss and good skin care products, my neck is getting better also. I use a Clinique product called Turnaround Cream that exfoliates without abbrasion.
   — Donya P.

December 9, 2003
Audra, I have gone from a size 12 W shoe to a 9 1/2 - 10 M. I have ankles with bones protruding. My feet are far from being sexy but they are thin and bony. Unfortunately, I have a bad bunion on one and it makes my foot look so deformed. When I was 20, I wore a 9 AAAA shoe. Now at 57 I am in a M width and that is because all the years of fat made the bones spread.
   — Patty_Butler

December 9, 2003
Are you sure that your feet are not swelling from water retention? Ask your doctor for water pills if that is the problem. I am 5'2" and have always wore size 10, now 144# down I can wear some 9 1/2, still big feet for my height.
   — Tawnda C.

December 9, 2003
My boyfriend has always referred to my feet as "Flinstone feet"! I thought I was the only one! I am very happy to say that I now have normal looking feet. I went from a size 10 EEE to a 9 regular width since surgery 8 1/2 months ago. I don't know if my feet will get any smaller, but I'm OK if they don't. I've definitely lost that swollen, puffy look. You can actually see bones in the tops of my feet. As to those dark patches, I used to have them at the backs of my heels. They, too, seem to have gone away with a little exfoliation and skin cream. They were never bad, and I had them only at the backs of my heels, so it might not be the same problem as yours. But, there is definitely hope!
   — Vespa R.

December 9, 2003
I'm pre-op but one thing I do for my feet is a recipe my grandmother said they did "back in the old days." In your hand or in a bowl, mix regular table salt with a little bit of vegetable oil. I use a 2-1 ratio, 2 tablespoons of salt for every tablespoon of oil. Massage and rub your feet and elbows with this mixture for a few minutes. When you are finished rubbing the salt mixture in, wash with soap and warm water, towel dry. After this regimen I use a good lotion on my feet. It really helps soften up the skin and it isn't expensive compared to some foot oils and lotions out on the market.
   — Shayna T.

December 9, 2003
WOW!! I am just so excited to know someone else calls them Flintstone feet :) I don't have an answer cause I'm pre-op but thanks for asking the question, all the answers will help me too.
   — Megan *.

December 9, 2003
Audra, I know where you are coming from. The patches of dark dry skin is from a condition that is called ancanthosis nigricians(sp) it is caused from 1st being over weigth and the chemicals in your body being off because of insulin resistance. this may not be what you have, but I have the same thing. I am dealing with it now. I am preop and having my surgery on dec 26th. i will keep you posted with me. i have to use prescribed lotion my skin gets so dry in those dark spots Tre
   — FlippyChick 33

December 9, 2003
Well, I don't have your problem, I'm the opposite, I wear a size 6 and they're gettin' smaller! BUT, if you're looking for a good foot cream and want to splurge a little, L'Occitane En Provence makes a fabulous cream. QVC sells it, and they have they're own web site as well. Its a little pricey, but the stuff is fabulous.
   — lorien

December 9, 2003
Hi Fred this is Barney. Depending on your bone struture your stuck with your feet. I have lost 110 pounds. I have gone from 10WW to a 10W. I can get into Walmart 11's and 12's. My mom goes from a size 30 to a 18 when she loses weight and her shoes go from 10W to an 8-1/2W. Get a nice pair of sandles and paint your nails. The percent of men that would look at your feet and go "Wow I don't want her" I believe is pretty small. You may not remember what your feet looked like along time ago but I know mine have always been flat and fat. You may want to go to a podiatrist. Insurance doesn't normally cover them but they can file your feet and such. Try some creams or a couple good pedicures first and then if summer gets too close got try a pod. Also for xmas ask for a foot care package. My sister files her feet all the time because she works on her feet. Trust me I've seen her feet if she doesn't take care of them. Not a pretty sight. When they get really dry smear Vasaline on them and put on heavy socks before you go to bed. My heels will split and read Julia Roberts does this so i tried it and it does help with very dry feet.
   — Rebecca K.

December 9, 2003
Another Fred here. I wear an 8 to 8.5, but I no longer need WW. They aren't the greatest to look at, but they do look better, you can see my ankles and some of the tendons, so they look slimmer, but they are wide and flat and my toes are kinda funny looking. I've never liked my feet and never was a sandle wearer. I will wear flip flops in the summer and I do have a pair of open toe slides that I like because the upper is a stretchy elastic that kinda shapes my feet a little. I think it's just something some of us have to live with. I get my feet from my mom and she definetly has Fred Flintsone feet.
   — Ali M

December 9, 2003
Those patches may just be dry skin (maybe?)...If so, a good stiff brush or buff-puff type thing will get it off (I had this problem on my ankles behind the malleolus)...then you will want to moisturize really well. That's what I do.
   — Kimberley E.

December 9, 2003
Hi Audra, I thought I was the only one that ever got called Fred. You are still early on. My feet have gone down in width and length. Instead of the 11 wides I have worn for 30 years, I now wear a 9 medium. Good luck to you. Ann in TX 414/296/140
   — Ann B.

December 10, 2003
That's funny! My family and husband have always called me flinstone feet :o) Anyways, I wore a size 10 shoe and I kept asking the same thing, why did I lose everywhere and not in my feet!?! I am 14mo out and just dropped to a 8.5 shoe like 3mo ago. Strange, but it made me happy! Good luck!
   — Sandy M.




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