for the women

I am having my first period since surgery and it is very heavy. Also, since I started on Thursday the scale isn't moving at all. I was wondering if any of you could share your experience with this with me. Thanks, Gianna

Hi Gianna, My first two (my first was 3 days post-op) were normal, but this one is the heaviest I've had in years... though I have symptoms of pre-menopause so that's more likely the issue. As far as the scale not moving... remember the ol' monthly issue of water retention. Up your water and be sure to exercise to encourage it out of your body. Next week I'm sure you'll see movement. Dawn

Gianna - I feel for you! I had lap RNY on 8/2 and got my period on 8/9 and it lasted for FOUR weeks. This was after getting my depo-provera injection, which causes no periods. It was so bad I was going through a super plus tampon and a super plus pad every two hours (I know - TMI!), and passing blood clots the size of Florida (again - TMI!). The nurse at the surgeon's office said it was normal because of the surgery, but trust me, there was nothing normal about this. I finally had to have an emergency gyn appointment, and he gave me progesterone to stop the bleeding and had me get another depo shot. All in all, not a fun four weeks. Also, during this time, even though I did everything by the book, I didn't lose as much as I had hoped, and the nurse said it was because of water retention. Obviously, it was a man who named it a woman's "monthly friend!" There's nothing friendly about it!!! Good luck - and if it gets worse or continues for too long, call your gyn. Teresa