Question:
Very personal question for the ladies ...
I plan to have surgery in March ... either the 7th, 10th or 12th ... hope to hear today which one. Anyways, I just started my period today ... it is Feb 5th. Now I am worried about being on my period at the time of my surgery and dealing with that during my recovery. Any suggestions?? I am a very private person ... ecspecially when it comes to stuff like this. The 2 day hospital stay on my period seems like a nightmare to me right now ... I don't think I will be in any kind of shape to try to use tampons ... what if I keep having leaks. Man, this could get embarrassing! Thanks! Tammy — Tammy Cardwell (posted on February 5, 2008)
February 4, 2008
Tammy, call or see your GYN to see if he can prescribe the pill that will
make you not have your cycle for a few months to get over the recovery
period. It will make you not have it for a few months. I know people that
have took it so they didn't have it for their wedding and had no side
effects besides some very mild cramping. Its worth a shot.
— Karen M.
February 5, 2008
I was told to stop taking the pill until a month after surgery. I should be
getting my surgery end of Feb or March. I was told I needed to be off of it
because there is an increased risk of clotting.
— zoeyriv
February 5, 2008
Hi Tammy, I got my period about 8 hours after surgery. It was about 2
weeks early!!! I was told by the nurses that it is common for the surgery
to set it off. The nursing staff knew how to handle it and did not make me
uncomfortable or embarased. Don't forget they've seen it all. As far as
tampons, they said NO and I had to use pads and an old fashion belt. Not
to comfortable to wear but it did the trick. Good luck!!1
— Nee P
February 5, 2008
Do not worry. Your surgery will not be as bad as you think and you should
be able to deal with your period just fine. I had a tummy tuck, lipo and
breast augmentation in August and for some reason having all that surgery
put my body into shock and made me start my period a week after I had just
had it. UGH!!! It was an inconvenience but that was it. Congrats on your
surgery!!!! I am 4 1/2 years post Lap RNY.
— Carlyn M.
February 5, 2008
I dont mean to sound mean but your a grown woman. Its a fact of life. All
woman get it. If you have it oh well.
— Joanc
February 5, 2008
Tammy, You will be ok. They have seen and heard everything. I had to have
surgery 3 times for my wls (I had an IVC Filter I know someone would ask me
why lol). I started my period the morning of the surgery each time. Most
women do because having the surgery and the stress that comes with it will
sometimes make you start early or more often. I am a very private person
as well, but you will have a women nurse and just pull her to the side and
tell them. They will give you a sheet to put on your bed. More then likely
you wont be able to use tampons. They told me no, so you will have to use
pads for a few days. I didn't find it too hard to deal with. You will be ok
just remember there is nothing you can do or say that they haven't heard
already. I wish you nothing but the best of luck with your surgery.
— TattooGirl1982
February 5, 2008
This is embarrassing but, I got my period the day before my RNY and went
into the surgery wearing a tampon! No one asked me if I had my period so I
figured I would be fine. Well, after the surgery when I woke up it was not
in there anymore. As someone mentioned before, they (the doctors and
nurses) have seen it all. Having your period is not going to shock them,
nor should it make you embarrassed. After you wake up, your period will be
the last thing on your mind! They will take great care of you. Best of
luck to you!
— Lepp78
February 5, 2008
Girlfriend, I started my period the morning of my surgery! And, even
worse, I had a male nurse! Well, tampons are out. They will give you
pads, and a belt if you need it. There's not a darn thing you can do,
except grin and bear (and bare!) it. Most important thing is to try and
keep as clean as you can. Let them know - believe me, they've seen FAR
worse, and are very understanding. As soon as they let you get up to
shower, go! But don't be held back by that modesty, because, believe me,
it's gonna be tossed out the door while you're there! Hang in there and I
hope everything is as successful for you as it was for me. I am 5 years
post-op and lost 282 pounds! YOU GO GIRL!
— jaggirl
February 5, 2008
Girlfriend, I started my period the morning of my surgery! And, even
worse, I had a male nurse! Well, tampons are out. They will give you
pads, and a belt if you need it. There's not a darn thing you can do,
except grin and bear (and bare!) it. Most important thing is to try and
keep as clean as you can. Let them know - believe me, they've seen FAR
worse, and are very understanding. As soon as they let you get up to
shower, go! But don't be held back by that modesty, because, believe me,
it's gonna be tossed out the door while you're there! Hang in there and I
hope everything is as successful for you as it was for me. I am 5 years
post-op and lost 282 pounds! YOU GO GIRL!
— jaggirl
February 5, 2008
I have to laugh at most answers..... Seems like everyone had or had gotten
their period during their surgery! I did as well! I had a male nurse also,
but to be honest, I preferred him over any of the others! (He was so
professional and easy to talk to) But anyways, I wasn't prepared so I had
to use what they gave me. You at least will have that "hindsight"
going into this. I find that if you use 2 overnight pads end to end that
should work and avoid any mess or embarassment! (Hope this isn't to gross?)
Good Luck and don't let "life" hold you back!!!
— Toni Todd
February 5, 2008
I had my surgery early in the morning ---started my period that
night...Nurses and Doctors have seen it all. Pads --no tampons, we are all
human...sorry --grow up, you really are more upset about impending surgery
than having your period. You will be fine
— debmi
February 5, 2008
I had my surgery in the middle of my cycle, and guess what? I got my period
right after my surgery. My bariatric staff warned me ahead of time that it
might happen, so thank heavens I took pads with me. I hated using them
because I always use tampons, but it worked and was just a minor
inconvenience. Don't worry about this minor detail, just take a few pads
with you. This too shall pass. Best wishes for health and happiness.
— djfoz
February 6, 2008
Tammy -- The one thing that hasn't been said: Since you have the
hindsight, BRING PADS WITH YOU TO THE HOSPITAL.....yes, they can provide
it, but they will probably charge you for it, too. It's like the aspirin
for a headache, you can get it cheaper at home. Good luck
— zandeldm
February 6, 2008
When I woke up from surgery, I WAS ON MY PERIOD! The nurses were great
tho, they went to the OB wing and brought me maternity pads... i was
embarassed but, the nurses told me not to worry... one less thing i had to
worry about that month anyway! :-) you'll do just fine! God Bless.
— 502Laxi
February 6, 2008
Tammy Dear, let the nurses and hospital staff take care of this. (I doubt
that they will use Tampons.) That's what they are there for. Relax!! and
let them do their job.
— [Deactivated Member]
February 6, 2008
I got mine too but was warned before that I probably would after the
surgery. Always with wings makes a great overnight pad that is extra long
and extra thick and doesn't move. Bring them along so you don't have to
use the hospitals crappy ones. While you are at it pack some chapstick and
saline nasil spray too. You wake up from surgery VERY dry and these items
are a huge help.
— KristineMarie
February 6, 2008
I certainly can understand.... I started mine the day of surgery and I
didn't know until after I got into my room. Thankfully I'm a very light
first two day person.. :) As soon as I could get up out of bed (the sooner
the better after surgery) the first place I went was the bathroom and found
out that I had started... the nurse just brought me in some of those
fishnet panties and the stuff I needed.. :)
Hope this helps..
God bless you
Paula
— japaad
February 6, 2008
Along with everyone else ill just put this here as well....
First off congrats with the upcoming surgery :) its seriously the best
thing to happen EVER!!!
2nd i am also like u very private person when it comes to things like
that....an its true u CANT go ON the pill this close to ur surgery b/c they
make u get off it ATLEAST a month ahead of time!! i actually wus SOOO
embarrased the day after my surgery when i GOT my period as they where
taking the catheder out! talk about mordified! they say it is VERY VERY
common for this to hapen since it is a major surgery. So regardless of when
u are due....u are more then likely going to have ur period one way or the
other in there! they see it all the time....so i wouldnt worry bout it!! :)
part of being a woman....kinda sucks but i could think of sum worse things.
— Udnevaknoe
February 7, 2008
Tammy,
Like all the others. This will most likely happen anyway. For reasons
unknown major surgery makes us start our monthly. I had mine just hours
after surgery. Its common and healthcare profecsionals see it all of the
time and know how to handle it. No Worries. They will still do surgery even
if you have started. Good Luck and see you on the other side hon...
— Jo_Michalko
February 9, 2008
I had just finished my period right before my surgery...then the day after
I had surgery, I started again...it could have been because I couldn't take
my birth control pills for a couple of days or it could have just been the
effects of a major surgery on my body. The nurses were very supportive and
provided adhesive pads for me...and did not seen surprised by it.
Good luck! And like it's already been said, they've seen it all...don't
worry about it...just be prepared!
— BrendaMS
Click Here to Return