Question:
Probably overreacting, but nonetheless-HELP! Weight gain and 15 day long period!!!

I've gained almost 7 full pounds in only two days. So here I sit, in the position of hundreds of other post-ops I've "there-there'd" on this site...but man, when it's your turn you really flip out, huh? :) Background: I'm just over 7 months post-op. The weight has been coming off very steadily over this time, very standard. Huge weight loss in the beginning, slower yet still very satisfactory decline since the initial huge drop-on average, about 5-7 pounds a month. All together I've lost 97 pounds since September and as a "mediumweight" (5'8, 287lbs), I've been tickled pink. I never stress over plateaus, because I only weigh twice a month generally. Since I am usually walking around without a clue as to how much I weigh, I don't worry if I stall at a particular weight; I see the loss of inches and assume the weight is dropping as well. This system has worked great for me. Less stress! However, here I am, the last week of vacation. I went from 198 to 190 while I was here, and then started my period on the 12th of this month. This is when I lost 4 of the 8 pounds I lost this month. Anyway, here it is, the 27th and I'm STILL on my period (it's ridiculous!) I weighed myself this morning and BAM! 190 no more! All of a sudden, I weigh 196 and a half!!! Now, I have no idea if this is a normal fluctuation that happens from day to day in a post-op's life-as I told y'all, I don't usually weigh more than twice a month, reason being that I refuse to buy a scale. However, at my dad's house, he has a scale, so I've found myself attached to it! (And ever more happy that I don't have a scale at home!) So is this normal? Does our weight have that large of a discrepancy day to day or is something up? And why would my period last 15 days when they usually last a mere 3-4 days? I got a depo shot in February for the 1st time, but it hasn't affected my other two periods up to this point, they've been very regular. I am due for another Depo shot on the 11th of May, but am not getting it. (It has made me ravenously hungry-I don't eat any more than I KNOW I should, but I hate being hungry all the time!) Also, I was due for my B-12 two weeks ago, but can't get it till next Monday. (the Army base I live on makes you come in to get the shots, and there's not a base near where I'm staying here, so wait I must.) Anyway, could any of those have a reason to do with my MAJOR WEIGHT GAIN? I know it's not my eating, I track on fitday and have FINALLY kicked the regular soda habit I never gave up post-op. (3 weeks, no pop-it's a record for me, yay!) So what the heck is going on?!?!?!?!?!    — jenn_jenn (posted on April 27, 2004)

April 27, 2004
Jennifer: Yes your depo shot could make you gain weight. It made me gain 60 lbs in a matter of months, (I haven't had the surgery yet, so don't get too scared). Hang in there. I would suggest you stay far away from the depo shot. Yes, what an easy fix to make sure you do not get pregnant but all the side effects I had I would not recommend it to anyone. I bled for four months, gained 60 lbs and then was told I couldn't have any more children. I think that part was wrong as I just lost a set of twins. But anyway, it will taper off. You have done a great job at not eating more than you should. I was starving a the whole time I had the shot in my system. Take care and God bless.
   — Virginia D.

April 27, 2004
Hi hon, My opinion is that your problem is the period. why is the period so long? we know that during our monthly we swell and bloat up. and have the issue with gaining water weight. Go to your doctor and see what's going on with your period. I truly think this is the problem with the weight gain, probably taking a water pill will solve this wt gain very quickly. I said probably, cause I'm not a doctor. check it out. Best wishes
   — B4real

April 27, 2004
Jennifer, I understand your concern. Let me tell you a little about my experiences. I was on DepoProvera for two years. I barely had a period the majority of the time I was on it, then after almost two years I had a period that was three weeks long! My doctor at the time said I should not be concerned. She said Depo actually causes some people to bleed more than normal. I decided I wanted to stop taking the shots. Not because of weight issues, but becuase it caused me to have horrible mood swings. Anyway, when I was due for that next shot and didn't take it, I started spotting. I spotted for six weeks before I finally quit! But now I am right as rain. I am not sharing this to scare anyone, just to let you know that what you are experiencing is not abnormal. As for the weight gain, please understand that you cannot gain seven pounds of fat in two days. You would have to be consuming massive amounts of food (more than you should be capable of eating). What can happen is that you can retain that much water in your system. I have noticed over the last three months that depending on where I am in my cycle, my weight can fluctaute as much as 8 pounds. I mean I literally gain 8 pounds overnight, then within 2 to 3 days it is gone and sometimes I lose an extra pound with it. My family doctor said this is normal, and that he has patients who report a 10 pound water weight gain every single month. So what I am trying to say is don't worry too much. But an irregular period (in some cases) can be a sign of a more serious medical condition, so it definitely wouldn't hurt to make an appointment with your doctor when you get home from your vacation. Best of luck!
   — Jenny S.

April 27, 2004
SOunds like the Depo is not working for you. You do know you're not supposed to get a period with Depo, right? Maybe it's just not the right form of BC for you. If you are are sure you have not changed any major eating habits for the worse (grazing?) then, it could all be water and BC related. Get yourself back to your OBGYN. I'm confident that the weight will go away soon, but you should address this period thing right now. Hormones get wacky after surgery!
   — LMCLILLY

April 27, 2004
One of the side affects of depo is extreme hunger and weight gain. Believe it or not, I had a cockatiel that was put on depo injections to get her to stop laying eggs (she couldn't stop!). Well, it worked, but that little bird ate everything in site and gained 1/3 of her weight in barely a month!! Can we say puffball? As far as the 7 pounds, you said you weighed at your dads house but do not own a scale of your own. If you are weighing on different scales, there can be a discrepancy in scales. Its best to weigh on the same one. If you are eating normally, don't worry, those 6 pounds will melt away soon...
   — Cindy R.