Question:
This is embarrassing, but here it goes...

I am 2 1/2 years post op, lost 126 pounds. I am in need of plastic surgery really bad. My problem is this. I do get rashes, but they are not under my panni. There are - excuse me I don't know the nice medical term - in between my buttocks....yes, my butt crack! I get them like about once a month. I dont' always go to the doctor, but they are very, very uncomfortable. It's like a small yeast rash or something. So, 1) has anyone else experienced this and 2) do you think that would help me qualify for plastic surgery? I have Aetna HMO Federal.    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on April 3, 2004)

April 2, 2004
I have something similiar. I get like a big zit or a boil in that same area. First appeared some months after WLS. Its extrremely painful. My skin there must fold over and cause this. They will leak a bit but never pop. My pcp has looked at it awhile ago. I dont want plastics but this can be painful when it flares up. Thats mostly after sitting on hard bench seats. I do my best to avoid that.
   — bob-haller

April 3, 2004
Bob, Good chance it's an infected ingrown hair. When the sack gets too irritated or too big it's time to have someone cut it out. In the long run you will be happier as it won't keep coming back. I had this happen about 8 years ago. The first time I saw my GYN and he said it would run it's course. It did but then flared up 3 more times, each time a few months apart. Finally after 9 months I said DO SOMETHING! He went in the cut the sack out and it was pretty ugly. Hurt like hell for a while and I sat on ice for a few days. Then suddenly about 4 months later I had the same thing surface approx. 1/4" over from the other one. That time he removed it right away and it was so much better. Much quicker recovery and much less pain. I had one surface just last week and have been trying to get it to resolve. I was able to get it somewhat open and some stuff out but I suspect it will arise again. I've already had the plastics that affect that area so mines not from excess skin. I'm wondering though if it's from all the anticiotics I have been on since PS or the anti-fungal stuff to get rid of the yeast infections I keep getting from the antibiotics. All I know is if it shows up again, I'm getting it cut out. This time it's a little more towards the genitals and less on the butt so it will be much less desirable to have removed. <p>To the original poster, as long as you can get a doc to indicate that the excess skin is creating too moist an environment which is allowing this to continually regrow then I would think it would stand a chance of being approved. What have you got to lose. Have your GYN document it and give his opinion also.
   — zoedogcbr