WARNING: Girly Issues Enclosed

Surgery is 10 days away. I started my period this evening. I have been warned by numerous sources that after surgery women may tend to get some really heavy periods - frequent and messy. I had a feeling this would happen. I got my period on my wedding night... lucky me, eh? How awful is this going to be if I have surgery at the tail end of my period and just how BAD are the post-op periods going to be? I am visualizing a pretty nasty experience if this happens during my hospitalization and really soon post-op. I keep thinking how embarassing this will be if I have to ask for help.... Yikes... shoot me now....

Brandee........... Mine are normal. Pre-surgery I had to be on the pill to even have a period.........now they come every month on their own. (don't know if thats good or not? lol) I haven't seen any heavier or worse. 10 days!!!!!!!! I am sooooo excited for you!! Kristin

I know... 10 days.... WOO HOO!!!!

I had mine right before surgery. You should be pretty good by the time you have surgery - however over the next couple of months - WATCH OUT!!!!! I guess is has to do with all the hormones that are stored in our fat, getting released as we lose weight. My first five - six periods after surgery were horrible beyond belief!!! I literally could not go anywhere for two days (if ya know what I mean). I'm a year out now, and they've pretty well stabalized and are just "normal" now. BTY, I started the day before my tt surgery and everyone at the hospital was GREAT about it. They acted like it was perfectly normal for that to happen (because it is) so don't worry about having to tell them about it or ask for help if needed. Wishing you the very best Laurie

When my body is wacked out, so goes my cycle. I have been irregular all my life, but the one thing that is regular is heavy crampy ka-ka periods... when they come. It's like the tidal wave of doom.... HOWEVER, I would glady take them if it means the thin girl emerges victorious! Thanks for your advice Laurie!

Brandee, For my WLS my period came just a few days before surgery and then I was done with it. Post surgery my periods have not been bad as far as more messy or length, but I do tend to get a lot more cramps. I will tell you that the day (actually I think during) my TT and breast reduction my period started and the hospital staff thought nothing of helping with it. I tended to be a little embarrassed too, but there was no need and even hunched over like a cave woman and with drains I managed to take care of it at home no problem! Good Luck!!! Mary

My PCP and Surgeon expect high fertility for me post-op. (Which is something we've dreamed about for a long time.) MY PCP plans on putting me on two types of birth control 4 weeks out and then hubby of course, will follow suit. I have never been on any Rx birth control before.

Brandee I started my period two days before my surgery so I was still on it when I went in. It didnt get any worse then it normally is. And the staff at the hospital was very nice, I told my nurse when I got out of recovery and she gave me a pair of those mesh undies to wear with a pad. Once they removed the cath. I used my own supplies and undies. It was just like any other period. Best of luck, Stacy

Well... all that you have shared has definately put my mind at ease. I imagine I'll be leaking from many areas of my body during the early post-op days... kinda gross... but I have set my mind to it that it is all well worth it. I'm stocking up on the necessary supplies *just in case* Oh, to be a woman! You girls are the bestest!! Brandee

Brandee- My cycles have not changed a bit. And I didn't start my cycle in the hospital after surgery as some do. I guess it's an individual thing-everyone is different. Teri