Skin Problems since Surgery 1/31/06

Having a lot of issues with the skin since my surgery, dry, red and blotchy! My scalp is also dry, itchy and scaly! Is anyone else having issues since their surgeries? I am wondering if this has anything to do with hormones, changed in many ways I've noticed! Its driving me nuts and I have never had to wear foundation before, but it looks like this is the case since I will be returning to work on Monday! Anybody have any suggestions as to what is going on and how to treat it, or cover it up? Let me know soon, I only have this weekend to get some information and go to Ulta to get some products for this awful look! Thanks in advance, your HysterSister, Toni I need to feel like this again!

I had a great time battling my skin for the first couple of months! It does go away after a while. I had maybe 10 blemishes in all my life until the surgery, after my normally flawlessly pale complexion was in my opinion a mess! after about 2 -3 months though it had returned to normal. Just be careful of what you use on it. I chose to use just water for cleansing, everything else is either too drying or too greasy for my sensitive skin. Don't use anything that has alcohol in it, and don't use anything oily/greasy. Not so easy I know. If you need to cover up for work try using something medicated to put on it, and allow your skin to breath at home, don't sleep with your make-up still on.
Once your body sorts itself back out you should be fine again!

i have read alot of posts about this, so i guess that it is fairly common. i take 3 flax seed oil capsules daily, and drink tons of water! i started taking that for my psoriosis. it has kept the dry, itchy stuff away also, though.

Heather thats a great suggestion, flax is so good for ya, I had not heard of it for psoriasis, Learn something new every day!! My Dh has a slight case of Psoriasis around his ankles and wrists and it always gets much better in summer!
My problem is bad I mean bad flaring of acne since my TAH, I have always had mild to moderate skin problems. Then at PMS time I would get the single one big cystic zit, Now I am having more than I care to deal with since surgery. Kept ovaries . so I think it may be hormones outta whack. I am 49 and here to say acne is not only a teen issue!! Thanks for any tips

hi linda. i found a great treat for my skin. it is the loreal micro dermabrasion kit. like a chemical peel, but very gentle. it dries everything up! it comes with a moisturizer, that doesn't cause more pimples. i use it once a week. it lasts for about 2 months and costs 20 smackers. it has been worth it for me! good luck, and hope you are doing well. heather

Thank you so much Sisters, I am starting work Monday, I look like dog slit, and this will help me get the confidence that I am needing! I hope! Glad to hear about this flax seed oil as both my daughters ended up with Psoriasis after having Chicken Pox, so this may help a lot! I will pass this information on to anyone I know! Just like Virginia (Linda) I had no real issues with may face or pimples at all growing up until I hit 26 years! Then it was all out war against the occasional zit that would look like a monster invading. Usually only once a month, of course, I kept one ovary so I am sure this is all hormonal.
Since I have so much information coming my way, has anyone had any luck fitting themselves into clothes at all? I bought new clothes for work because I can't fit into anything, I went up a whole size in pants and I'm so afraid it will take another year for it to go away! I hear that the swelly belly thing won't even subside for another year or two, and that we can't do ab work for another six months, what am I supposed to do? Has anyone tried one of those body fitters you wear under your clothes? Does it help? Or does it just push everything all over to other areas? Help me? Please, only one more weekend of freedom!!!!??? Love you all, for just being here! Thanks Toni

Hey Toni! I Am All About Dresses And Skirts These Days! Elastic Waist Skirts, That Is. I Can Always Take Them In Later, And That Way I Don't Lose My Money. Hey, Extra Hugs For Starting To Work! Heather

Great tips, thanks again Heather you are such a constant!! I can spring for 20 bucks to try a new item.
Toni, even tho I have lost 6 lbs , my clothes are tight so I went to Sears and sucked it up and just bought a few pairs of casual slacks and capris in a size larger. I hated it but comfort is too paramount!! I did try holding it all in with a panty girdle type undergarment and mg: that thing hurt like hell, It just squishes all the roll upwards and then it pokes out under my boobs. I felt like a sausage, NO way. I now wear cotton Danskin high cut panties and my swelly belly thanks me!! Be comfortable! Linda

I ended up doing the size up thing too (just a couple of things) and have given up ALL BELTS for the foreseeable future! I thought skirts would be great but I'll have to wait a bit -- did that yesterday with my loosest pair of tights and was hurting by the end of the day! Too binding on my belly. So I'll stick to slacks until I can go with bare legs!

I wore an "all over" girdle type thing a few times but agree it is so restricting (it helped my belly feel supported for a while though). Mostly I just wear my regular undies and roll them down under my incision.