It's been 8 weeks since my surgery and I've noticed that my back itches a lot. Within the past two days, my neck began itching and now I have hives.

I've read some references to this as a result of gastric surgery on Google. But, have any of you experienced this? What did your doctor say? This is crazy, and I would like a scientific understanding of this.

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Sounds like a reaction to something-have you been on new medications since surgery? Using a new detergent? Eating food you've never eaten before? Allergic to food to use to tolerate?

@@thundermama You should definitely discuss with your surgeon or PCP. There's the Ketosis Rash but this could be non-surgery related as well.

I have no rash but what started out as severe itching on my back has turned into numbness over a large portion of my upper body and itching/irritation/pain. I saw the doctor on call at my clinic and he gave me samples of Lyrica - this has helped but I don't want to add on another pill to take for the rest of my life. I admit, my Vitamin consumption has been lax (did I mention I HATE taking pills?) but I have tried to eat nutritiously as best I can. This itching/pain is for the birds...

@@Paluma0268 That sounds like Shingles??? What did your Dr say was the issue?

@@Paluma0268 That sounds like Shingles??? What did your Dr say was the issue?

That it's not shingles

My nurse practitioner doesn't actually know what it is, and ordered lab work to test for autoimmune disorders (I have family diagnosed with lupus and MS).

Don't get me started on what happened today when I attempted to get to my appointment for her to discuss my bloodwork - 5 minutes late due to a payroll issue at work and poof - they had cancelled my appointment and suggested that I call and reschedule! Their words were "we are too busy to fit you in now". In all my years on this earth I have NEVER had a doctor's office do that to me! And this is a podunk town of maybe 18,000 folks, not some big city clinic. Apparently I'm not sick enough for them to see me even being 5 minutes late, but it's ok for them to make me wait upwards of AN HOUR every single time. I take my health very seriously and try my hardest not to ever be late. Maybe others do this on a regular basis but not me. I will have to cool off before I call and reschedule that appointment.

Ask them for their late policy! I work in Medical Adminstration and I would be livid if someone was turned away because they were 5 mins late.

Find a new doctor. Nothing says "I'm not putting up with your nonsense like 'forward my records'"

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5 minutes wasn't even a reasonable amount of time... Doubt they were all standing around waiting for you... They probably overbooked so were using any excuse.... I would mention that you have often waited in their office and they didn't have the courtesy to accommodate you when you need it... Not a patient centered doctor...

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Update on my crazy doc situation - I vented on FB (nothing ugly, just full of frustration) and one of my friends knows the clinic administrator and tagged him in the comments. He reached out to me and we had a very nice conversation. He showed my NP and staff my post and when the nurse saw that she got upset and said oh no I thought her appointment was at 11, not 11:15! So instead of thinking I was 5 minutes late, she thought I was TWENTY minutes late. Had I been running that late I would have called and rescheduling would not have been an unreasonable request. So they set me up for 4:15 this afternoon. The power of social media...

The nurse is covering her ass! Lol

On 5/23/2016 at 7:22 AM, Paluma0268 said:

I have no rash but what started out as severe itching on my back has turned into numbness over a large portion of my upper body and itching/irritation/pain. I saw the doctor on call at my clinic and he gave me samples of Lyrica - this has helped but I don't want to add on another pill to take for the rest of my life. I admit, my Vitamin consumption has been lax (did I mention I HATE taking pills?) but I have tried to eat nutritiously as best I can. This itching/pain is for the birds...

I am getting some weird itching too. My left hip and my back. My daughter thinks it's my skin cells coming back to life as I lose fat. :o) Vitamins are helping it be less. I use Barimelts. They all taste pretty good and the melt in your mouth, no swallowing. I bought the 3 month starter pack to keep cost down. They are worth every penny.

On 5/25/2016 at 7:59 AM, Paluma0268 said:

Update on my crazy doc situation - I vented on FB (nothing ugly, just full of frustration) and one of my friends knows the clinic administrator and tagged him in the comments. He reached out to me and we had a very nice conversation. He showed my NP and staff my post and when the nurse saw that she got upset and said oh no I thought her appointment was at 11, not 11:15! So instead of thinking I was 5 minutes late, she thought I was TWENTY minutes late. Had I been running that late I would have called and rescheduling would not have been an unreasonable request. So they set me up for 4:15 this afternoon. The power of social media...

If you do not mind, please let me know what you find out.

Hi, I am four days post surgery, but two weeks before my procedure I had a break out on my left arm. It looked like hives, slightly itchy. I saw my PC and he wasn't sure if it was stress related or perhaps due to the introduction of Whey Protein. We agreed that the course of action was to cut back on the protein shakes and ten minutes of relaxation. It helped. It took a while to clear, but the itchy feeling melted away pretty quickly. I also added some cortisone cream, and I would apply it once or twice a day. Two days before my surgery, it disappeared. So, I would say, go see your PC and discuss any diet changes, and find some relaxation techniques. Oh, please talk to your PC first, because the whey protein is important and you will need to find a suitable alternative. Part of my surgical team work was meeting with a dietitian. You could also call them. Hope this helps! I was pretty upset because I was worried that it would delay my surgery. It didn't. Good luck!!

Edited May 27, 20188 yr by KJS55
misspelled

I have had an extremely itchy back now for the last 5 days. Had my sleeve on 1/15/19. This isn’t normal for me. I have my next follow up with my nurse practitioner on Tuesday and plan to discuss with her.

Glad to see I'm not the only one experiencing this. My whole stomach and sides have been itchy since having this surgery. At first I just figured it was part of the healing process but now I'm over 2 months out and still itchy, though not quite as much. It's tolerable, just annoying at times. But, if this and being cold is the worst things to deal with than I'll take that for sure!