I should have been expecting it, but I was way more focused on the post-surgery pain, but my wounds are now in full healing-itch phase and it's ... special. Given that I can't scratch OR gently slap the sites, I've taken an antihistamine and am trying to grin and bear it. And distract myself.

Any tips? Or is this what I suspect it is - a "ride it out" part of the process. It'll be gone in a few days, I know, but if there's a trick to curbing it a little, I'm all ears!

It's maddening isn't it??? I just had to force myself to ignore it. Of course now I appear to be having a histamine reaction on my legs which is driving me kookoo bananas.

Oh no! Extra bonus annoyance! At least you can pop some lotion on your legs? But yeah, I honestly prefer the pain to the itch. If this was a tattoo I'd be slapping the crap out of it, but not an option for a poor in-the-wars abdomen!

Have you tried ice packs? A bag of frozen peas is malleable and cheap; just remember to mark it as inedible before refreezing it.

8 minutes ago, FutureSylph said:

Have you tried ice packs? A bag of frozen peas is malleable and cheap; just remember to mark it as inedible before refreezing it.

Excellent call. Thanks!

Hrm... I haven't had any itching on my incision sites. I'm two weeks out. I'm generally an itchy person, so I'm not sure why. I had a tooth removed a week later (unrelated) and the stitches there itch sometimes. Hope you feel relief soon!

9 hours ago, lizonaplane said:

Hrm... I haven't had any itching on my incision sites. I'm two weeks out. I'm generally an itchy person, so I'm not sure why. I had a tooth removed a week later (unrelated) and the stitches there itch sometimes. Hope you feel relief soon!

One week out and I'm still not past it - this is the itchiest post-anything I've ever felt. I'm glad you've escaped it!

I had a fairly bad allergic reaction to the surgical adhesive and developed a rash with lots of itching. Topical Benadryl helped, so did an extra strength cortisone cream. It still took a good 3 weeks before the rash went away unfortunately.

10 minutes ago, Soon2bFit21 said:

I had a fairly bad allergic reaction to the surgical adhesive and developed a rash with lots of itching. Topical Benadryl helped, so did an extra strength cortisone cream. It still took a good 3 weeks before the rash went away unfortunately.

Ugh. Your poor thing, that sucks. I have reactive skin and will welt up with some adhesives, so I know how that feels.

9 hours ago, Smanky said:

One week out and I'm still not past it - this is the itchiest post-anything I've ever felt. I'm glad you've escaped it!

Hope it gets better soon!

Adding my best wishes for your prompt recovery. Itching is the pits.

I too had an allergic reaction post surgery. My regimen (after a couple steroid shots) was Zyrtec during the day, Benadryl at night (dr changed to hydroxyzine), topical cortisone mixed with gold bond itch cream, and lotttttts of ice packs! I feel for you- itching is the worst.

Well, my leg itch turned out to be sodding cellulitis... so now I'm swallowing giant horse pill antibiotics.

1 hour ago, vikingbeast said:

Well, my leg itch turned out to be sodding cellulitis... so now I'm swallowing giant horse pill antibiotics.

Oh god, that sucks. Hope it clears up quick!

On 09/29/2021 at 17:06, BoyMom86 said:

I too had an allergic reaction post surgery. My regimen (after a couple steroid shots) was Zyrtec during the day, Benadryl at night (dr changed to hydroxyzine), topical cortisone mixed with gold bond itch cream, and lotttttts of ice packs! I feel for you- itching is the worst.

Me too! Clear it with your bariatric staff first, or an allergy doc. I use the meltable kids Zyrtec tabs under my tongue, and the kids liquid Benadryl.

I am 3 days post op an miserable. I can’t get down the liquids I am supposed to get down. I’m in immense pain but learning to manage it. I can’t stand any of the protein drinks or water flavors I liked before surgery. I am reading everything I can’t to find tips to help me get past this point. Oh an the vitamins I’m supposed to take the rest of my life have made me puke everyday!!! Any tips? Any ideals welcomed?