Question:
Women & Post Op Hormone/Chemical changes

I am wondering if anyone knows exactly what happens to women post op?? I notice that there are women that experience extreme mood swings, cycle changes, etc. that just gets explained as estrogen released with weight loss. I am experiencing problems even after the weight loss has stopped. Does anyone know what else changes?? (FSH, LH, Prolactin or other chemical imbalances) It seems that this problem is frequent but put off by many surgeons (mine acts like she's never heard these symptoms from any of her 1000's of patients). I am wondering what I can do to look into this problem & maybe help others with the same problems. Of course all of us have cycle changes right after surgery. I also have the extreme mood swings, bouts of increased underarm odor (Yuck...I know..I have to wash 5 or 6 times a day till it finally clears up), occasional car sickness, and many other "real" symptoms that don't just occur in my head. While my PCP is very attentive & listens to me (I'm a lab tech so he usually takes me seriously), I am his first WLS patient & he is learning from my experience. Does anyone have any feedback??    — Kathy K. (posted on May 13, 2004)

May 12, 2004
I am going through the exact same thing, i was hospitalized for a day with excessive menstural bleeding and my TSH was really low. My free T3's & T4's are messed up and was taking Synthroid. I to work at a doctors office and they are stummped with what to do with me and where i need to go next with this. I am going to see a OB/GYN this month and have more testing done. Good luck to you. You are not alone, hang in there!!!
   — roxxyblue72

May 12, 2004
While my peroid issues have been corrected with the pill, I too have experienced odor changes. Men's deorderant though seems to solve the problem. I haven't really had mood swings (any more than normal). And car sickness! Oh God! Its terrible! Never had it before, but now I get it all the time!!!!!!!! I haven't mentioned any of this to my doctors simply because I didn't think it had anything to do with surgery!
   — Renee B.

May 13, 2004
I've got lingering problems, even though I'm 19 months out and done loosing (for the most part). However, my problem is that I do not get periods at all. I also somehow do not ovulate any more. I'm seeing a endocrinologist who specializes in fertitlty. All tests seem to indicate that homrone levers are 'normal', but yet, her I sit with no periods (which was never a problem pre-wls)and no ovulation naturally. No one seems to be able to explain this or give me any resonable course of action. So, if you figure something out, lease let me know. I'm very curious. Oh- one more thing...in preparation for surgery I started Depo provera. I took three shots, then stopped. I haven't taken any BC in over one year. Anybody else have a common experience???
   — LMCLILLY

May 13, 2004
My surgeon explained that our hormones are attached to fat cells. We have taken a "balance" and whacked the heck out of it, sending into a topsy, turvy woeld. I haven't had my period since 2 weeks after surgery, but then again, I'm not trying to find it again either. I'm 53 and more than ready for menopause.
   — Gail G.

May 13, 2004
My period lightened up significantly the first few months post-op. Then, I started taking the Depo shot. I had taken it pre-surgery and it stopped my period totally. This time, post-op, I bled for 3 months. Now I'm off that and on the OrthoEvra, and my bleeding has stopped. It's weird. Mood changes? I think you owe me royalties for using MY word in a sentence! :) I have the most extreme mood swings. I get annoyed very easily, then sad, then I'm in a great mood, then I'm grouchy...it goes on and on. I can't quite get control over my emotions and it's frustrating! I don't know why this is going on. If someone has some answers, I'd be really interested in hearing them, too.
   — jenn_jenn

May 13, 2004
Hi! I am currently 7 months post op and had gone through menopause 4 years ago. However,after having surgery, while my periods didn't return, the mood swings and hot flashes and night sweats are back witha vengeance. My poor DH deserves a medal of honor for putting up with it again. I was totally unprepared for it, as I was no longer flowing and never stopped to think it would affect me that way. I am hoping as the weight loss slows it will get better as well. LeeAnn 300/203/150 10/14/03
   — doglover

May 13, 2004
OMG! I am 18 mos post op, could this be my problem? I am having the same things, night sweats, (I am only 40) and I have been on antidepressants, I went to my doc. with depression issues. Now I went to a naturalpath, my labs look good, but then I was like, okay then whats wrong with me?? I am on Depo, and starting to have periods, never did before on it! I am getting off of it, but yes, my hormones are out of whack. Hummmmm
   — Leah G.

May 13, 2004
I would like to share this with you. This is just my experience. I have been taking NATURAL hormones for 6 or so months now. I am doing wonderfully with them. I have not had the RNY surgery yet. My date is May 24th. I take Tri-estrogen, progesterone, and testerone compounded especially for me. I take it as a vaginal suppository at bedtime, every night. I have them compounded for me by a pharmacy that specializes in compounds. I only have to pay my generic copay, so they are not expensive. I may or may not have to make some adjustments on the dosage after the surgery. We are going to use the same dosage and see how I feel. This stuff is wonderful! And to those who would say the studies say, ect, these are not the synthetic ones that were used in the studies that produced higher rates of cancer. My GYN has helped me with the prescription, dosage, support ect. If your in the KC area, I use Starks Pharmacy, and they would be able to educate you on them, should you wish to know about them. They also can mail prescriptions. But there are other places that do compounding. Try to find one that will work with you and your history and symptoms. My pharmacist knows more about the dosing and that part more so than my GYN. Because that is how you tell what dose is right for you, by how you feel. I would not give mine up for anything. I had a complete hysterectomy in Aug 2002. Tried all different things, thats why I can say with complete certainty, this is 100% for me. Hope I have helped.
   — Candy M.