I was doing my morning obsessive reading and came upon this interesting PubMed article that gives a nice, comprehensive list outlining the effects of macronutrient/micronutrient deficiencies on your skin. Linky to the article..."Skin changes after bariatric surgery" https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4371663/ A screenshot of the chart for quick reference is below.

Direct linky to the chart image https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4371663/table/t01/?report=objectonly

23 minutes ago, Kimmie K said:

I was doing my morning obsessive reading and came upon this interesting PubMed article that gives a nice, comprehensive list outlining the effects of macronutrient/micronutrient deficiencies on your skin. Linky to the article..."Skin changes after bariatric surgery" https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4371663/ A screenshot of the chart for quick reference is below.

Direct linky to the chart image https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4371663/table/t01/?report=objectonly

That's really interesting because I am low on protein and my hair has turned reddish (which I actually really like LOL) and while usually very oily, it's become very dry and breaking. It's something I'm working on, and I suspected the hair issue was protein. No logical reason for my acne issues other than the hormonal changes though. It started basically Day 2 post-op and went downhill from there. Unf.

37 minutes ago, mousecat88 said:

That's really interesting because I am low on Protein and my hair has turned reddish (which I actually really like LOL) and while usually very oily, it's become very dry and breaking. It's something I'm working on, and I suspected the hair issue was protein. No logical reason for my acne issues other than the hormonal changes though. It started basically Day 2 post-op and went downhill from there. Unf.

I truly think the acne troubles could be part of your body trying to heal insulin resistance. Most people that are significantly over weight will have some level of IR. Good news is, due to having the surgery, your metabolic processes will eventually stabilze and your face will start to clear. This happened to me when I started eating keto...it took about 2-3 months to chill out and has been chilled ever since I would break out like I was 13 and those zits would HURT!

@mousecat88 Here's my face shortly after starting keto. Mind you, I was 37 in this pic, now 38. I had pimples ALL over...the sides of my nose, sides of my neck, my chest...you name it, there was probably a pimple there. Tiny bumps, big bumps...its was awful so I feel your pain. Now It's all clear. Beating insulin resistance with surgery AND diet will take care if it eventually.

If you have acne, WLS related or not, Spironolactone (prescription, but cheap) can really help. Also, if you are more comfortable with topicals, Aczone (prescription) is absolutely amazing. It brings down redness and inflammation fast and doesn't promote drying or photosensitivity. WAY better than Retin-A or anything like that. It is very expensive but I think it is worth it, and most dermatologists can give you samples and coupons.

1 minute ago, Swanton_Bomb said:

If you have acne, WLS related or not, Spironolactone (prescription, but cheap) can really help. Also, if you are more comfortable with topicals, Aczone (prescription) is absolutely amazing. It brings down redness and inflammation fast and doesn't promote drying or photosensitivity. WAY better than Retin-A or anything like that. It is very expensive but I think it is worth it, and most dermatologists can give you samples and coupons.

Nice!!! I'll keep that noted just in case

4 minutes ago, Swanton_Bomb said:

If you have acne, WLS related or not, Spironolactone (prescription, but cheap) can really help. Also, if you are more comfortable with topicals, Aczone (prescription) is absolutely amazing. It brings down redness and inflammation fast and doesn't promote drying or photosensitivity. WAY better than Retin-A or anything like that. It is very expensive but I think it is worth it, and most dermatologists can give you samples and coupons.

My dermatologist said if I have high androgen levels, he wants to give me spironolactone. BUT, it is a diuretic and I am still under my hydration goals, so that's a no-no until I am farther out from surgery and well-hydrated regularly. Right now I am on a topical benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin cream for another 6 weeks.

They said Retin-A won't help me because mine isn't pore-related... it's all bacterial.

Edited December 7, 20187 yr by mousecat88

7 minutes ago, Kimmie K said:

@mousecat88 Here's my face shortly after starting keto. Mind you, I was 37 in this pic, now 38. I had pimples ALL over...the sides of my nose, sides of my neck, my chest...you name it, there was probably a pimple there. Tiny bumps, big bumps...its was awful so I feel your pain. Now It's all clear. Beating insulin resistance with surgery AND diet will take care if it eventually.

Girl, I have cover-up on, but I can tell you my acne is 5 times worse than this. It is horrific. Neon red, covers my entire forehead. All cystic. Also my chin and jawline have neon red, hard lumps. And right under my nose. It's badddd.

3 minutes ago, mousecat88 said:

My dermatologist said if I have high androgen levels, he wants to give me spironolactone. BUT, it is a diuretic and I am still under my hydration goals, so that's a no-no until I am farther out from surgery and well-hydrated regularly. Right now I am on a topical benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin cream for another 6 weeks.

They said Retin-A won't help me because mine isn't pore-related... it's all bacterial.

Definitely ask for a sample of the Aczone, it helps bacterial acne as well as hormonal. Amazing stuff, I see improvement overnight.

14 minutes ago, mousecat88 said:

Girl, I have cover-up on, but I can tell you my acne is 5 times worse than this. It is horrific. Neon red, covers my entire forehead. All cystic. Also my chin and jawline have neon red, hard lumps. And right under my nose. It's badddd.

Now you got me scared! I thought mine was bad LOL

I'm on a pure retinoid (dermatologist prescription) and it's amazing. It changed the texture of my skin as well. I look younger.

This is current with a heavy powder concealer over it and 3 weeks on a topical treatment so far. Without the concealer it is redddddd(er). That whitehead on my chin randomly just appeared like 4 hours ago. It's along my jawline, too, but I didn't snap those pics.

I think most people's skin clears after surgery because they are eating better. I think I am cursed. (I'm 30, by the way, for reference)

Edited December 7, 20187 yr by mousecat88

1 minute ago, mousecat88 said:

This is current with a heavy powder concealer over it and 3 weeks on a topical treatment so far. Without the concealer it is redddddd(er). That whitehead on my chin randomly just appeared like 4 hours ago.

I think most people's skin clears after surgery because they are eating better. I think I am cursed.

Dude! OUCHHH!!!! Mine has gotten pretty close to that a couple times during the year, but mainly just on my chin/jaw line and next to my ear. I sure hope you can get some relief from that...?

Yeah, it's pretty embarrassing. I've always had a small amount of acne on my forehead from the oil from my bangs, but generally reasonably clear skin my whole life. But right after surgery... BOOM... 13 year old boy status.

This is a great read!!! Thank you for posting.

On 12/7/2018 at 10:55 AM, Swanton_Bomb said:

If you have acne, WLS related or not, Spironolactone (prescription, but cheap) can really help. Also, if you are more comfortable with topicals, Aczone (prescription) is absolutely amazing. It brings down redness and inflammation fast and doesn't promote drying or photosensitivity. WAY better than Retin-A or anything like that. It is very expensive but I think it is worth it, and most dermatologists can give you samples and coupons.

Just got off the phone with my surgeon... they said no Spironolactone until 1 year post-op because it's a diuretic. I still have 3 weeks left on the topical they gave me, but it isn't really helping. More just keeps springing up.