Question:
I had surgery 6 mos ago and I am in my late 40's. I had a menstrual period

the week before surgery and haven't had one since. I had bloodwork taken and it has been determined by my ob/gyn that I am in menopause. Quite a surprise since I had no symptoms of menopause at all! Anyway, my gyn wants to put me on hormones...low dose of estrogen and progesterone. I am wondering if anyone has the Combipatch which is a patch that you wear on your tummy instead of taking pills. Since we take so many vits I would like to avoid any more pills. Also is malabsorhtion a problem when taking hormones? Anybody that has experienced this, please advise. The doc seems to think the surgery helped push me into full menopause. Anyone else experience this and what do you take after WLS for menopause?    — [Anonymous] (posted on June 13, 2001)

June 14, 2001
Just wanted to put this one back in as it was gone so fast no one even saw it. Sometimes the questions come so fast here on the site, they are gone before they can get answered. I am now scanning through the last 300 questions each day to see what I missed! Please if anyone has used the COMBIPATCH for estrogen/progesterone,let me know. I am getting frustrated by all the negative things that have happened to me. Such as low iron, very slow wt loss, ugly big scar, and now menopause. I need encouragement badly.
   — [Anonymous]

July 9, 2003
I too am having menopausal problems. I was on HRT for 5 years and had not had a period for 18 mos. prior to my RNY 04/15/03. I got a period 5 days post-op and again 2.5 months post-op. Also have a new ovarian cyst and pelvic pain which will require laparoscopy and hysteroscopy for biopsies. Sees Surgery/rapid weight loss disrupts female hormones significantly. Have used Vivelle patches and oral progesterone, tolerated this well in the past.
   — Polly J.