Question:
why would my skin tearr more easily now?

I am almost 1 year and lately if I bump or scrap against someting my skin tears,not real big but, very easily. it seems to be more on my lower arms.......... this has me bumbfuddled. I look on the library and found nothing about this. I hope someone can give me alittle insight. thank you guys so much for your help. love to all terri    — terri R. (posted on October 28, 2003)

October 28, 2003
I only know about what RNY malabsorb, so if there is something else going on, your PCP might be a good place to start. Of the stuff we KNOW we malabsorb, the two that first leap to mind are protein (this is the main problem in nursing homes, for example--not enough protein to maintain skin integrity) OR vit E. E is in chrge of hair, skin, nails, CAPILLARY WALLS and all male function. If you are not taking extra (dry form) vit E, that might be a contributor. Of course, you need to get labs, discuss with PCP, but be sure they check your fat solubles, and get copies for yourself.
   — vitalady

October 28, 2003
Great question Im having the same problem!! I had all my labs run after talking to my pcp and everything was normal!!! She also did a liver, and kidney blood work also, those were also fine.... So I dont really have a answer .... hope you find the answer...Im tired of bleeding when I get a tiny scratch and the brusing is gross!!
   — paulsgirl

October 28, 2003
Hi Terri- Sorry, I don't know the answer to your question, but found it very intriguing. The only thing I have ever heard on the subject of skin tearing easily was once on a talk show, a woman who had been MO had lost a lot of weight and was sharing her experiences. She talked about her skin tearing easily when she was MO, and her doctors said it was because it was stretched so far it was actually splitting. Hope you're able to find the cause:o) Mea
   — Mea A.

October 28, 2003
No expert here, but I do know that in addition to the lack of protein our skin gets thinner as we get older (hence the tearing in geriatric pts) Without the subcutaneous fat that we once had our skind will probably act similarly. Just a guess!
   — Pambylah

October 29, 2003
Hi. I noticed the same thing just this week! I wondered if it could possibly be related to the WLS in some shape. My hands have little bo-bos all over them! Guess this is a question for the doc! Thank you for posting about this. This isn't something that I have ever read about as a side effect of WLS.
   — Cheryl M.

October 30, 2003
This may seem crazy but I read an article several months ago about this very thing. I can't remember if it was in Reader's Digest or where but you may research it on the internet and find something. This may not even relate to your situation but the article referred to people who were having the same problem as you and some expert had pinned it down to Canola oil. Apparently there in something in canola that after years of use will break down the skin. As stated there could be a multitude of reasons why this might be happening but I thought it worth mentioning.
   — Gianna H.

October 30, 2003
I find this alarming. I hope you seek a 2nd opinion. I had DS so our absorption issues are different, but bruising can be a sypmtom of Vit. K deficiency. Whether skin tearing is related to this or not I don't know, just thought I'd mention it. I take Scandipharm ADEK's, water soluble Vit A, D, E and K, which are available from Costco (product # 352-9518, you have to order by phone and I don't think you have to be a member) and on the internet. Since taking them I have no more bruises.
   — Chris T.