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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gardenergirl on September 8, 2004, at 20:54:10
Ugh, I've gained so much weight on Nardil and with the recent edema fiasco, I've got major stretch marks in several places. I don't like them. I didn't "earn" them. Anybody have remedies? I've heard vitamin E helps, but I feel like I need it by the gallon! :(
Thanks in advance,
gg
Posted by partlycloudy on September 8, 2004, at 20:58:55
In reply to Stretch marks from weight gain...any ideas?, posted by gardenergirl on September 8, 2004, at 20:54:10
Get a highly concentrated cream. Also shea butter helps. I've had stretch marks on my butt since my growth spurt in 7th grade. I think they are permanent.
Posted by Cass on September 8, 2004, at 22:28:22
In reply to Stretch marks from weight gain...any ideas?, posted by gardenergirl on September 8, 2004, at 20:54:10
Hi gg,
I've heard that dry skin brushing is good for stretch marks. I do it every morning, but not for stretch marks, so I don't have any personal experience with that. Dry skin brushing is generally really good for the skin. My skin tone has improved a lot since I started. If you're interested, morning is a good time to do it. Use a vegetable bristle brush, and start at the feet, brushing upward toward the heart. Always brush toward the heart. Avoid the breasts, neck and face. Then take a warm shower.
Posted by saw on September 9, 2004, at 3:19:04
In reply to Re: Stretch marks from weight gain...any ideas? » gardenergirl, posted by Cass on September 8, 2004, at 22:28:22
I gained and then lost a vast amount of weight in about a 5 year period. I have been left with tremendous stretch marks on my tummy, thighs, butt and breasts. The stretch marks on my tummy I have just learnt to live with. They are "baby" earned. Tissue oil has helped the stretch marks on my breasts. They are not nearly so visible to me. (Actually they are a teeeeeny bit firmer too). I have a feeling though, that the marks on the thighs are there to stay.
Sabrina
Posted by gardenergirl on September 9, 2004, at 8:28:36
In reply to Re: Stretch marks from weight gain...any ideas?, posted by saw on September 9, 2004, at 3:19:04
Thanks for your input. What is tissue oil? Sounds interesting. I have a problem with any kind of lotions of oils on my chest or breasts as it tends to make me break out. But I'm willing to try anything that might work.
Thanks,
gg
Posted by gardenergirl on September 9, 2004, at 8:30:39
In reply to Re: Stretch marks from weight gain...any ideas? » gardenergirl, posted by Cass on September 8, 2004, at 22:28:22
Hmm, that brushing sounds really interesting. Kind of like a really good exfoilating every day, with some nice self-stim along with it. Sometimes when I am a bit agitated I lightly scratch my arms, and that seems a bit soothing for some odd reason. Might be worth a try.
Thanks,
gg
Posted by gardenergirl on September 9, 2004, at 8:32:29
In reply to Re: Stretch marks from weight gain...any ideas?, posted by partlycloudy on September 8, 2004, at 20:58:55
Permanent stinks! I did want to try a cream, but for my chest and breasts, just about any kind of lotion makes me break out. I was thinking of trying to find a less expensive, OTC alpha hydroxy type oil free lotion, but haven't even had luck with that. And I'm not willing to use my expensive facial stuff on such a large area...
Thanks for input.
gg
Posted by saw on September 9, 2004, at 9:04:16
In reply to Re: Stretch marks from weight gain...any ideas? » saw, posted by gardenergirl on September 9, 2004, at 8:28:36
Hi gg
Tissue oil is very much vitamin e based, specifically geared for stretch marks, scarring and pregnant tummies. Probably travels under a different name your side. It is way too expensive. The bottle I'm using was given to me by my mom-in-law at my bridal shower. (To give me honeymoon boobs :) She is so sweet).
Sabrina
Posted by Larry Hoover on September 9, 2004, at 9:13:15
In reply to Stretch marks from weight gain...any ideas?, posted by gardenergirl on September 8, 2004, at 20:54:10
> Ugh, I've gained so much weight on Nardil and with the recent edema fiasco, I've got major stretch marks in several places. I don't like them. I didn't "earn" them. Anybody have remedies? I've heard vitamin E helps, but I feel like I need it by the gallon! :(
>
> Thanks in advance,
> ggStretch marks are nearly certainly related to zinc deficiency. What to do about them? See:
http://www.ehow.com/how_3358_reduce-stretch-marks.html
Posted by Larry Hoover on September 11, 2004, at 17:42:40
In reply to Re: Stretch marks from weight gain...any ideas? » gardenergirl, posted by saw on September 9, 2004, at 9:04:16
Posted by sb417 on September 12, 2004, at 3:06:30
In reply to Stretch marks from weight gain...any ideas?, posted by gardenergirl on September 8, 2004, at 20:54:10
Hi gg,
There is an article in the August 2004 issue of the ARCHIVES OF DERMATOLOGY reporting success using the excimer laser for treatment of stretch marks. If you do decide to get laser treatment, be sure to use only the best doctors. In the right hands, lasers can work wonders. In the wrong hands, they can cause scarring or worse.
Posted by Cass on September 12, 2004, at 17:13:45
In reply to Re: Stretch marks from weight gain...any ideas? » gardenergirl, posted by sb417 on September 12, 2004, at 3:06:30
A friend of mine recently had laser work on her skin, and she ended up with lots of burn stripes all across her skin. If I were going to have laser work done (and I don't have any plans to), I would talk to previous patients and do lots of research on the practioner.
Posted by gardenergirl on September 12, 2004, at 22:44:08
In reply to Re: Stretch marks from weight gain...any ideas? » sb417, posted by Cass on September 12, 2004, at 17:13:45
Yikes, good thoughts about research before laser stuff. I would love to get LASIK, but am still chicken. If I ever do, though. I am planning to go to the surgeon most recommended by opthamologists in town...even though he will cost more.
gg
Posted by sb417 on September 12, 2004, at 23:38:58
In reply to Re: Stretch marks from weight gain...any ideas? » sb417, posted by Cass on September 12, 2004, at 17:13:45
Hi Cass.
Yes, it is so important to do lots of research before any medical procedure these days, but I think doing one's homework is particularly important with the cosmetic procedures. ANYONE with enough money can buy a laser. Even a psychiatrist can buy a laser, take a weekend crash course in how to use it, and set up a laser "surgery" practice. It's frightening! I do know of an excellent laser specialist in the New York City area who is one of the trailblazers in the field. He has done a lot of the original research. He is the only person I would go to for any kind of laser work. I had a few broken blood vessels on my face a few years ago, and I had him treat me with a laser. The spots are perfect now. I have no scars, no broken blood vessels and no evidence that anything was ever done. The area had to be treated a few times before it was "clear," but that was OK.
Although I have nothing against cosmetic surgery or cosmetic procedures, I am opposed to the fact that many doctors are abandoning their patients with real medical problems in favor of the cosmetic patients. The main reason for this is, of course, money. Doctors don't have to do any paperwork or deal with insurance companies for the cosmetic procedures. They make patients pay up front, before the procedure begins, and they make a lot of fast cash that way. I've been to several dermatologists whose practices have been almost entirely converted to cosmetic procedures, and they even sell their own cosmetics and facial lotions, etc.
I was discussing the proliferation of self-proclaimed laser specialists with a friend of mine, and she said, "Beware of the boy [or girl] with a toy." Research the doctor, research the procedure, and talk to lots of patients who've been through it. Also, don't choose a doctor because he quotes the cheapest price. On the other hand, the most expensive doctor may not be the best one for you either because it isn't necessarily true that "you get what you pay for."
Posted by sb417 on September 12, 2004, at 23:41:38
In reply to Re: Stretch marks from weight gain...any ideas?, posted by gardenergirl on September 12, 2004, at 22:44:08
Hi gg,
If you are in the New York City area, I can give you the name of one of the best laser specialists in the world. He is the only person I would ever go to for any laser treatment and, in fact, many of the other doctors around the country who perform laser surgery learned from him. If you are interested in his name, let me know.
Posted by gardenergirl on September 12, 2004, at 23:49:35
In reply to Re: Stretch marks from weight gain...any ideas? » gardenergirl, posted by sb417 on September 12, 2004, at 23:41:38
Thanks for the offer. That's very generous of you. I'm actually pretty far from NYC. And I'm still too chicken right now. Not to mention still in grad school, so paying for it seems like a luxury.
gg
Posted by gardenergirl on September 13, 2004, at 14:22:13
In reply to Re: Stretch marks from weight gain...any ideas? » gardenergirl, posted by Larry Hoover on September 9, 2004, at 9:13:15
Oops, just realized I never thanked you for this. Sorry, brain fart...I will check this out.
gg
Posted by Larry Hoover on September 15, 2004, at 14:09:24
In reply to Re: Stretch marks from weight gain...any ideas? » Larry Hoover, posted by gardenergirl on September 13, 2004, at 14:22:13
> Oops, just realized I never thanked you for this. Sorry, brain fart...I will check this out.
>
> ggThanks for the thanks....it looked weird that an active thread just stopped after I posted. I don't wanna do that to a thread.
Lar
Posted by Pfinstegg on September 17, 2004, at 15:55:46
In reply to Re: Stretch marks from weight gain...any ideas? » gardenergirl, posted by sb417 on September 12, 2004, at 23:41:38
I'd be interested in knowing about tht laser surgeon. Could you tell me his name?
Posted by sb417 on September 17, 2004, at 21:11:07
In reply to Re: Stretch marks from weight gain...any ideas? » sb417, posted by Pfinstegg on September 17, 2004, at 15:55:46
Hi Pfinstegg,
Yes. His name is Roy Geronemus, M.D. He is at New York University Medical Center and at the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of New York, at 317 East 34th Street, in Manhattan. The phone number for the appointment desk is (212) 686-7306. Be sure to request Dr. Geronemus. All of the doctors he works with are good, but he is the best. A word of warning . . . Dr. Geronemus is an excellent laser surgeon, Moh's surgeon and researcher, but sometimes he can seem a bit distant and a little too reserved. Perhaps that's just his professional demeanor. Don't take it personally. If you decide to go to him for treatment, keep in mind that you'll be getting the best laser treatment anywhere, but you'll probably have to go elsewhere if you're looking for "bedside manner." I get the bedside manner I need from my therapist and from a few other physicians, so it doesn't bother me if my other doctors don't provide it.
Posted by Pfinstegg on September 17, 2004, at 21:27:45
In reply to Re: Stretch marks from weight gain...any ideas? » Pfinstegg, posted by sb417 on September 17, 2004, at 21:11:07
Thanks so much! I really appreciate it. And thanks for the *heads-up* about his manner. I always try to choose the best surgeons, and they usually aren't much with bedside manners. I don't mind that at all- I just want them to be the best- thanks again!
This is the end of the thread.
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