Question:
I'm having trouble eating during the week before and during my period.
This is only my third cycle since surgery, but I've noticed that the week before and during my period I have trouble eating and keeping food down. I eat the same things as other times but notice that many things (especially the starches and dairy products) don't agree with me and I end up having to vomit. So, I tend to try not to eat in order to avoid getting sick and instead try to drink more fluids. I've also noticed feeling really lethargic and sometimes my head feels spacey. It's hard to tell if this is due to the surgery, the anti-depressents I take, or simply from having my period. Has anyone else experienced these problems? Also, does anyone know if it's okay to take ibuprofen for pain after having surgery? — Andrea H. (posted on February 18, 2001)
February 18, 2001
Andrea, I had the same problem, but I "outgrew" it. I am not
sure when it changed, but I am 13 months out, down 130+ pounds
and I want to eat everything the week before my period!! I
treat myself to sugar free fudgesicles, and extra protein shakes
to get through it, but at first I was worried I ate to much.
I haven't gained, and still continue to lose (even if it is only
3 pounds), so I guess for me, this is normal. Give yourself some
time and be flexible- hopefully it will get better. Good Luck!
— M B.
February 18, 2001
All surgeons are different. My surgeon allows us to take ibuprofen. The
only thing we are "forbidden" is aspirin. In fact, when I got
home from the hospital I stopped my prescription pain med and took 600 mg
of ibuprofen for a couple of days without any problem. As I stated before,
all surgeons are different so check with yours. Shelley
— Shelley.
February 19, 2001
Andrea ... and I thought I was the only one! I'm ten months out from an
open VBG, down 125#, and the week/ten days before my period are absolutely
awful. I can't keep much down other than liquidy stuff (soup, yogurt,
pureed stuff, etc.) and, of all things, cheese. Meat's a dead loss,
literally and figuratively. Basically, I've learned to live with it, and
adjust my food plan accordingly. The
"spacey head" stuff could be a problem with your middle ear (I
had a heck of a time with it for about six months after my surgery). My
PCP explained it this way: As you lose weight rapidly, your balance
becomes affected and can give you a spacey, dizzy feeling because your
estucian (wrong spelling, I'm very sure) tubes (that lead from your ear to
the back of the throat) are kinda flopping around in your head. Eventually
they stabilize -- I've had no problem for the last four or five months. It
could also be your period; I often felt lethargic and yucky pre-op, and
still feel that way post-op. Has your doctor adjusted your antidepressant
dosage since you started losing weight? If not, it might be something to
look at. I'm now at 1/3 the dosage I was at pre-op, and my psychiatrist
and I are looking at phasing it out entirely. I've been ill with the flu
for the last three or four days and haven't taken it at all, with no
noticeable effects. It might be something to check out with your doctor.
Good luck and skinny thoughts always,
— Cheryl Denomy
February 20, 2001
9.5 months post-op, ovulation and menstruation are the worst times for me
as far as cravings. I use ultram for pain. Good luck.
— [Deactivated Member]
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