Dressing for Excess Skin

A posting from Stephanie Myers, Dr. Myers' daughter, on 3 problem areas that can be improved by focusing on appropriate wardrobing.

One of the major issues post bariatric surgery is the issue of excess skin. Although the fatty tissue will be gone soon because of the surgery, exercise, and nutrition adjustments, the skin which has been stretched to accommodate that fatty tissue will remain (some to a more severe degree than others, depending on an individual basis). Regardless if you choose to have bariatric surgery or not, I want to give you a few ideas to work around the excess skin in the mean time.

At a recent support group I shared about what clothing to look for in order to resolve the issues of discomfort and embarrassment. Those are both valid issues and the key to solving this issue is having the correct undergarments. Of course, all three can be used at the same time if necessary. Most likely these ideas are not foreign to women, such as Spanx, or control top hosiery. Now, I will explain the three main problem areas, the solutions, (what to look for to work with each area), and styling tips.




1). The problem area: The “Apron” - This is what is known for the the excess skin area of the stomach. Again, once the weight is lost, the skin can still remain.

The solution: A good solution here is to find a very fitted stretch tank top that will help to hold in excess skin. This tank can be a few sizes smaller than you would typically wear so that you get the supporting effect.

This picture is a great example. It is a Spanx for Plus sizes that can be found at Lane Bryant. You could even look for a longer version that will go just below the hips.

How to Style: The key with styling this is that it does not have to show, in fact it really shouldn't. The best idea is to layer and especially going into fall and winter this will be easy to do.



2). The problem area: The “Wings” - This area of excess skin is from any stretched skin that caused by the fatty tissue in the arms.
The Solution: A very fitted three quarters length fitted t-shirt will hold skin in place so you don’t have that 'flapping' feeling. This shirt needs to be more fitted than your usual clothing, again to support your arms.

How to Style this garment: The purpose of this garment is also to be an undergarment, and should be worn with other clothing that fit appropriately.

This example is a top that is on sale at Nordstrom.









3). The problem area: The Inner Thighs - The inner thighs are an area that can be an annoyance.
The solution: Very fitted bicycle shorts or spanx (apparently, these shorts to the left are lined with zebra print. Zebra print is optional when you do your shopping!
How to style: Another great trick is to wear bicycle shorts under your pants or dresses in order to give you a more controlled feeling and therefore, will be more comfortable. This pair is from Lane Bryant.

Again, I am here as a resource for your wardrobing issues now. I also will work with you to create a look that is uniquely yours. Please contact me at Stephanie.Myers1@gmail.com to arrange a meeting to begin!

Get Well Picture for Grandma

Mikey Pyle drew this picture for his grandmother who had her bariatric operation last week and was seen in the office today. Look closely to find the following 4 details:

1). Grandmother's size before and after the operation

2). What is that in Dr. Myers hand?

3). Note the Gandmother + Surgery = Smaller Grandmother format

4). The facial expressions are terific

Great job! Thank you, Mikey, for cheering up your grandmother and bringing a smile to all of us.

Great Message from My Patient, Wendy Hartman. Check Out Her Blog!

My husband and I have been together for 26 years. Married, 19. He met me at about 180 pounds. I was about 250 when we married. I was at 395 when I had surgery.

Scott told me the other day something that had me in tears.

I knew he was worried about me, but we never talked about it. He said: "6-8 months ago, I was crying myself to sleep wondering what I would do when you were gone. How was I going to handle the kids? How was I going to pay the bills when I don't even know where the passwords are for the accounts? I had no idea that our lives could change so much in 6 months. Everything is so much better. You are a better person. We are better." Wow.

Thank you, Dr. Myers!!!

Wendie Hartman

http://margaretandelwood.blogspot.com/

Finding "New" Things after Bariatric Surgery

Finding “New” Things after Bariatric Surgery

Last week one of my patients who had lost a lot of weight after her bariatric operation returned complaining of finding a new mass just below her breast bone. She was obviously very worried.

After I examined her I indeed noted a firm ½ inch hard rubbery mass just as she had described.

I explained that this finding is called the xiphoid process and is a normal anatomic structure. She was just now finding this for the first time because she had lost enough weight it was no longer hidden in the fatty tissue!

This is a very common occurrence. As a bariatric surgery patient loses a lot of weight, say 100 to even 200 lbs or more they are able to “find things” they did not even know they had such as hip bones, back bones, clavicles, tail bones and even ribs that they thought were breast masses!

Of course these patients are often embarrassed when they find out these structures were always there but could not be felt until they lost significant amount of weight but it is just part of discovering themselves anew.

Having bariatric surgery is truly a Fresh Start for many and a new discovery of the new you.

Update on the Use of the da Vinci Surgical Robot

Last Tuesday, September 14, 2010, I was privilegded to perform 2 gastric bypass operations with the assistance of the da Vinci surgical robot. Although it is always challenging to begin to use new technology, both patients did well and one left the hospital after only one night stay.

The following is an exert from an email sent out by a representative of the company that makes the da Vinci robot to some of the Medical staff at our hospital. I thought you might be interested in this anouncement:

"OhioHealth has established itself as a leader in robotic surgery and Dr. Myers has established himself as a leader in bariatric surgery. This is another application where da Vinci is helping surgeons deliver minimally invasive surgery to a broader base of patients every day. Dr. Myers gave the following reasons for using the da Vinci for his gastric bypass procedures:

1. Stronger anastomosis
2. Patients are less likely to bleed
3. Less incisions - reduced from 5 to 4 with about 50% reduction in incisional "footprint"
4. Less pain at trochar sites
5. No need for largest incision to pass circular stapler

Dr. Erik Wilson from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston proctored Dr. Myers with the use of the dual console da Vinci Si system."

This important device will be able to help make this operation even safer and better. I will have the oportunity to use the robot to perform a gastric bypass for three more patients in the coming week.

Learn more about the da Vinci robot at www.IntuitiveSurgical.com

New Video! Dietitian explains Nutrition Facts Label

In this video, You will see Dietitian, Kristi Highley sharing the importance of the Nutrition Facts Label. The photo on top is an image of the exact Label she is refering to but enlarged. One more thing before we get started, Dr. Myers wants to know something about the beginning of the video, "What's up with the tongue Kristi?"

Brian Stinecipher shares his success story after gastric bypass! Part 1

We begin this video with Janet Dearwester, a Fresh Start Bariatrics patient, who went from 200lbs to her current weight of 130 lbs. Then, Brian Stinecipher shares he and his wives' success stories as patients at Fresh Start Bariatrics. He shares before and after stories and pictures.