Fresh Post-ops - Chapped lips and irritated skin?

 I'm 2 weeks out now and have noticed a rather sudden onset of some various skin issues.

I had a bad reaction to the steri-strip glue (which I hear is really common), so I broke out in little rashes around my incisions, but they started to go away once I removed the strips. 

Now, however, my lips are chapped and itchy, and I've developed an itchy, pinkish rash on my legs.
Also, when I recently had my eyebrows waxed, there was some irritation and excessive dryness/scaliness where she used the wax. I've had it done several times at the same salon, and never had problems before. 

I did a little reading and learned that the cobalt in B12 can cause some similar reactions, but I'm not sure why it would wait three weeks out to do so (I started taking B12 a week before surgery). 

Anyone have similar experience, or know why my skin would be revolting? I know I'm a little dehydrated, but not badly. I have no allergies that I know of, and haven't done anything different except for the surgery and vitamin regimen. No new soaps, shampoos, clothes, dryer sheets, cosmetics, chapstick, nothing. 

Well sometimes it can be related to the really low fat aspect of our diets post up, particularly right after when your absorption is the most reduced.  Dry hair and skin, I mean. 

Might help to chew a tums prior to waxing.  Not sure about the rash on the legs however. 

 

 Tums?  Why??

It's just an old beauty tip.  I am not sure they even know exactly why.  I have read that they think that the antacids block histamines thereby reduce redness. 

It does seem to work, however, if you have sensitive skin. 

I think general anesthesia wreaks havoc on our systems also with regard to the dryness. My hair and skin were awful for a couple of months post-op.

I'm in agreement that it is probably due to the no fat diet we're on. All the vitamins that keep the skin healthy and supple are fat soluble vitamins. One of my old friends is a vegan and he developed a rash and skin problems. I told him he needed to have some fat in his diet and it did the trick. There are healthy foods with fat in them...all I can think of is freakin avocados which are high in fat, guacamole? I am not an expert though and just thought I'd chime in. Good luck.

Oh, there's plenty of healthy fats - avocados, olives, peanuts, walnuts, pecans, macadamias, fish, soybeans, flax seed...  But if we can't absorb fats, then it won't matter if I eat those things or not (many of which I can't eat right now, anyway).  

Anyone know how much fat we CAN absorb immediately post op? I have no idea. 

 Not sure on the amount.. but I will say still eat them cuz they will help you poo!

 You make a good point. I've been going about every other day. o.O  Not constipated at all, just....infrequent. 

I LOVE ground flax. One of my favorite breakfasts ever is vanilla yogurt with fresh blueberries and ground flax. I bet I could eat that now. The extra fat and fiber would probably do me some good. 

Oh my!  I remember those itchy skin days all too well.  Bio Oil really helped for me.  My skin soaked it up like a sponge.  I also tried not adjust the water temp for showers and bath as well as gentle body wash like Aveeno.