WLS and the M-word

Hi all,

I'm realizing as I've gained so much weight this year (35lbs) that a lot of mood swings and depression I'm having feels very familiar.  When I was over 200lbs 8 years ago (before lap band surgery) I also had bad PMS, and depression - so I know my weight and hormonal emotions are linked.  I am thinking, however, that it is even worse because I think I'm in perimenopause (I'm about to turn 50).  So, here's my question - for those of you who have passed, or are entering menopause does the WLS and weight loss help?  Does it help with the emotions, the mood swings and most importantly - do you think it's harder to lose the weight?

I appreciate your thoughts on this subject, it's all new to me.

Thanks,

Just wanted to wish you good luck getting off your regain.  I was completely through menopause when I had my surgery so I can't help you there.  I went through some emotional times when rapidly losing the weight but that settled down.

I know for me the 5 pound regain I have had is a lot harder to lose and takes a lot more effort on my part.

It really helps me to post my food on Roz's Menus and Miles each day and in My Fitness Pal to stay accountable. Staying connected here helps also.  We would love for you to join us.  There are lots of us in the maintenance phase now.

Linda

Hi lInda,

Thanks so much and I will but I should have been more clear - I'm planning on having the RNY in July - My regain came when the band slipped and I had it taken out last January.  I'm hoping that having the surgery in July - when I seem to be entering perimenapause won't make it more difficult to lose.

My dietician told me about my fitness pal and I have also just signed up for that.  She gave me a bunch of goals last week - cut caffeine/coffee, cut soda, write down food at least twice a week, etc.  I'm doing the first two this week and working on the third.  I also have been checking the lightweight board nearly every day - I know it will be very important after my surgery.

Christine

Christine,

Good luck on your revision.  Sorry about your band slipping.  I bet you will do great. 

Your goals sound close to what I had to do also.  I had to do the journal for about 4 weeks for my dietician to review prior to the surgery.  Also had to cut the caffeine and diet coke!! 

Welcome to the LW Board!

Linda

Hi Christine

I usually surf the rny board but am looking through the lightweights today and saw this post from the other day.  I had a lap band to rny revision in December.  I am so glad that I did it.  I got the band in 2005, lost 50 pounds (started at 270) and gained back 25.  It didn't slip but I couldn't have any fluid in it - I would throw up everything.

Anyway, my doctor told me that my metabolism is so slow that I might only lose 50 pounds.  I decided it was worth it and, at 5 months, am down 55 pounds and under 200 for the first time in 30 years.

My reason for writing is to let you know that you will do great.  Learning to eat small bites, chew well and not drink with meals for my band has made this process a little easier for me.  I think we have an advantage..........we realize that there is no magic, we just need to learn to control what goes in our mouths.  It's a process and doesn't change overnight.  Good luck to you on your journey.

One other thing....I had to do a 6 month monitored diet meeting with my NUT each month.  I regret wasting this time.  I lost a few pounds, learned a lot but regret that I didn't work harder and start out at a lower weight than I did.

Linda

Welcome to the LWs.  Congrats on your upcoming surgery.  I love my RNY.  I was 61 and had a hysterectomy years before so I don't know about the M stuff.  But the weight fell off me.  It is common to have mood swings and emotions when you do WLS because hormones are stored in fat and released when you lose weight.  My surgeon suggested everyone go on a antidepressant for the first 6 months or so.  I never had been on one before but I did go on it and I think it helped.  Around 6 months, I weaned off it and have been fine since (DH may say differently).

good for your nut in getting you off soda and caffeine.  That is a great start.  Also, stop drinking with your meals.  Best to be in that habit now.  I also thought decarbing was helpful. 

Hope to see more of you as you proceed through your journey. 

Congrats on your upcoming surgery!

I am going to be 60 next month and  I had a hysterectomy when I was in my early 30's so I don't actually know if I ever went through  menopause.  I have never suffered with crazy emotions or depression on a regular basis but after WLS I was an emotional wreck for awhile.  My Surgeon was completely baffled when I went in for my 1 week checkup because never once did I have a doubt or fear about having surgery.

I had my revision nearly 3 years ago, at age 52.  I was somewhere in menopause but I'm unsure where because I had a partial hysterectomy years ago so I had no cycle to help me judge what was going on.  I was having terrible hot flashes and other issues.  I weighed about 220 lbs at the time so I am sure that didn't help.

Almost immediately after my revision the hot flashes got a lot better.  I think it was because of the estrogen being released from my blood stream with the loss of fat.  My doctor wouldn't put me on hormones and wouldn't give me a blood test to see where I was at because she told me that hormones fluctuate so much even within a day that I wouldn't get an accurate picture.

Now I have stabilized a great deal.  No hot flashes and my mood and emotions are a lot less erratic.  If I had to guess I would say I am through menopause but I am unsure.  All I can say is if I have gone through menopause it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected.  I also have noticed that I don't have the signs of ovulation such as pain and water retention once a month and no PMS symptoms.

I had my surgery after the change.  But the weight loss in the first 2-3 months averaged 25 lbs a month.  I was a little crazy with all the hormones being released.  I wish my doctor had offered an anti-depressant for the first 6 months.  That is a good idea - and I would start taking it 6 weeks to 2 months before surgery.

The symptoms of menopause are going to be easier after the weight loss and surgery.  Right after surgery, estrogen is released from all the fat cells you burn through.  But you will feel like you are PMSing because of all the estrogen.  I was moody, depressed, cranky, etc.  Just like I was when I was on my cycle.

So menopause down, PMS up.  That was my experience.

Both my wife (RNY 11/12) and I (VSG 10/12) are peri- or pre- or whatever-menopausal. She's 48 and I'm 49. I think from what I've heard and read, our weight loss has been right on par with others. I no longer believe those commercials with the "Are you over 50 and gained weight and just can't get it off? It's not your fault, you're MENOPAUSAL! So try this pill!". It all up to you, the work you put in. I'm finding that being so close to my normal weight, every ounce is a struggle at this point. But it will be for everyone who has had WLS, and even those who haven't. All I know is that I'm taking full advantage of my small tummy to go 100%, get my body fat % down to a "fit" level. I'm 100% positive that the WLS has afforded us this opportunity to go all the way. Menopause or not, depression, anxiety, feeling blah......I'm staying on top of it and immersing myself in activities and athletic endeavors and sucking up lots of knowledge about food etc. I quit taking my low dose of prozac a few months ago, and have seen no issues. I used to get a bit of depression right before my period every month or two, but I don't really experience that any more. I'm sure working out has taken care of what otherwise would be grumpy, emotional me. Also my food choices--the right combinations of fats, carbs and protein I'm sure have helped too. It all depends on how much work you want to put into it. I'm reading about different foods, nuts, seeds, fruits etc and trying different ones to see how they affect me. It's sort of fun, like an experiment. 

Without any credentials to back me up, I would venture to guess that WLS and its accompanying weight loss, proper nutrition and exercise can help. It won't hurt, that's for sure.