Extra skin questions

[KathyRS 29]

I go to the doc today. If they tell me I just need to increase my calories, I'm going to scream. It is not possible to do that. If this is it OK, but please don't try to tell me is my fault because I'm not doing X, when X is impossible! If they run some blood work and find all is good and this is just it, well, 6 months of fatigue (even though honestly I deal with pain better than fatigue) is worth decades of more energy and movement. I might be expecting the worst because that sort of happened last time when I complained of fatigue. I'm the opposite of a whiner, but I've got shit to do. Don't we all?

[LessOfMe0503 157]

Hi where would you be able to find that powder ? Would help out so much ????.

I have found it at Walmart. I've also seen it at hardware stores. It's also for sale on Amazon and I assume many other places online

[ttdish 315]

Hi where would you be able to find that powder ? Would help out so much ????.

I don't know if it's the same stuff, but there is diaper cream with the same name, so in the baby section

~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

[ttdish 315]

ttdish, I agree, but I can't get in more calories. I have been using fitnesspal this last week to see exactly how much it was. I'm getting 625 to 640 per day. Usually closer to 625. It's a little better than I thought, but I just can't get in more. There's not room. I also am active with lots of walking for my job on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and then walk over the weekend. But I often feel faint or in a cold sweat at work, and I drive with my son home, which is good, because I fall asleep. I can live with it if this is how it has to be until I get more energy, but if it isn't that world be great because this sucks. Upside, now down 47 lbs with 38 to go.

Hmmmm... One thing that helped me up my calories was skipping the light/low cal stuff. So full fat cheese, for example. I too found I couldn't eat more as in quantity, so I added more calorie dense foods. Avocados are great for that, high in calories and healthy fats. Peanut Butter is good for the same reason.

Lean Protein is great, but if that's all you eat, it's hard to get the calories in! Are you doing shakes still? I find that when I can't eat enough, I can still manage to drink a shake to get extra calories and Protein in. I think we just have to get a little creative sometimes, and it's harder than you'd think to eat more, when our whole lives we've been trying to eat less!

Good luck! I hope you have a helpful visit with your doc!

~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

[lovingdavid 119]

Thank you for the inf. Sure appreciate it very much!

[KathyRS 29]

Thanks ttdish. I'm not doing particularly low fat, just what I have to. My stomach cramps painfully if I have too much. Example, I can usually fit 2 babybel mini-cheeses in there, but if they are both "original" my stomach starts cramping, if one is original and one is light, stomach is fine. I can fit 1/3 cup right now at the most. I do drink 2 Protein shakes/day. Each take a few hours. I usually eat about 1 oz of chicken. I like dark meat, but if the piece is too fatty, I'll get pain. I know I could never do Peanut Butter.

As for the doc, it went well. She confirmed I was doing everything I was supposed to. She is having me do a complete panel of blood work, but she also told me for some people it's just like this. And that's OK. It's about the long run.

[Niki15 198]

Had surgery 2&1/2 months ago. I'm down 45 pounds with 40 to go. It's hard to get in all my Water and Protein and I have to work at it. I'm managing about 500 to 600 calories a day, and losing about 3 pounds a week. I have awful fatigue, and that's the biggest factor right now, but I have an appointment with my doc next week to look into that. If any of you have experience with fatigue and want to comment on that, great! I would love to hear it. I've now lost enough that I have a stomach flap, and sometimes it hurts. I've gotten it somewhat better by using some A & D ointment, but sometimes that itches. What have you guys used successfully to care for those skin flaps. I totally plan to get plastic surgery when the time is right, but obviously that's a ways away. Thanks for any advice you have!

I use foot poweder spray but if you can get it documented that is getting infected the ins will pay for a medically necessary tummy tuck..

[ttdish 315]

Thanks ttdish. I'm not doing particularly low fat, just what I have to. My stomach cramps painfully if I have too much. Example, I can usually fit 2 babybel mini-cheeses in there, but if they are both "original" my stomach starts cramping, if one is original and one is light, stomach is fine. I can fit 1/3 cup right now at the most. I do drink 2 Protein shakes/day. Each take a few hours. I usually eat about 1 oz of chicken. I like dark meat, but if the piece is too fatty, I'll get pain. I know I could never do Peanut Butter.

As for the doc, it went well. She confirmed I was doing everything I was supposed to. She is having me do a complete panel of blood work, but she also told me for some people it's just like this. And that's OK. It's about the long run.

Well you totally have the right attitude

[KathyRS 29]

Thanks, and thanks for the good ideas. I will definitely try a bit of Peanut Butter and avocado when the stomach will take it. I really appreciate you brain storming for me!

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,443]

@@KathyRS -- Part of what I'm about to say probably has been covered by the others, but I don't have time to read the thread.

If the over-the-counter yeast preparations don't work (give them up to five days), you can get a prescription from the bariatric NP (they see this infection often enough) or an dermatologist. The two generic names I'm familiar with are nystatin cream and econozole, also a cream. I don't know the difference medically/chemically. Both are topical, prescribed for use twice a day on clean, dry skin.

You want to keep the affected area clean and dry at all times. You can throw a tiny container of baby powder or baby cornstarch in your bag when you'll be away from home for a good part of the day. I noticed early on someone recommended putting some thin, cotton knit fabric in the fold for absorption. Not the most attractive thing, but effective.

Take date-stamped photos of the area whenever it occurs. They will be part of your argument for being covered if you wish to have reconstructive surgery down the line. For the same reason, sticking with one dermatologist, if you go that route rather than the WLS NP, simplifies the application process. As backup, be sure the infection is also in your baraitric record.

P.S. Some people also experience the infection, candida intertrigo, beneath the breasts. It may be that another infection occurs, but I believe c.i. is the main offender by far. It occurs in closed areas that remain most for periods.

Edited November 12, 2015 by WLSResources/ClothingExch