Question:
For Females Only

Did your menstral moods changed after you had gastric bypass? Like cravings, mood swings, irritability, etc. or did they get worse or better. I'm scheduled for my surgery on Mon. 2/16 & I'm due for my period & I'm on the liquid diet & have lost the required amount of weight but at this moment, I am starving and want sweets badly.    — Ruth M. (posted on February 5, 2009)

February 5, 2009
Ruth, Your date is getting so close.... All those dreams are keeping you awake at night aren't they?? The days are just draging by? Before you know it you'll be loosing pounds and loving it :) As far as menstrally nothing has changed for me. I was a sweet person and I craved them and indulged on them daily. I still crave sweets and luckily I don't get dumping so I can still have them. ;) my theory is a bit different than everyones here on OH, I basically eat what I feel like eating but the portions are what have changed dramatically. I am near 3.5 mos out and it is getting easier to eat things now, but for the first 3 mos I felt so depressed that I needed to satisfy myself as best as I could so I started have a tiny bit of all the things that I loved, like salty foods and sweets. I My periods have gotten weird though, honestly. Very irregular from what I have noticed. As much as I thought that my attitude was going to change, it hasn't, I am still bitchy :) good luck Ruth!!!!
   — tiffaney2183

February 5, 2009
As I get older, I think menstral moods were always "itchy" with a capital B...but only for a day or two right before it started...I did become anemic after surgery and my cycles made it difficult to keep my iron stores safe (ferritin) But I am no longer anemic even with lower ferritin levels...I just keep an eye on it every 6 months rather than yearly....I also noticed that I can eat soooooo much more food and tolerate stuff I normally cannot only when on my period...I eat so much it scares me at times, but I do not gain weight...After 5 years...I just allow that monthly pig out! I think it keeps my metabolism going....Lately though, I have had odd cycles and severe cramps, but I think it's me aging rather than the surgery itself...Time for an appt! Ugh!
   — .Anita R.

February 5, 2009
Each and every person is different. For me my moods swings and cravings are alot worse. Before my surgery I hardly ever had a period, but now they are like clock work. I can tell about 2 weeks before my visitor is to arrive that my mood changes and I start to not get satisified with what I eat and have to really watch it. Also I feel "big" and I suppose that is being bloated. But this past month I had these feelings for the whole month. I will be 2 years out in April and have lost 170 lbs. Good luck. It has been the best things I have every done for myself.
   — GrammaAnn

February 6, 2009
I have always had "tough" cycles.... I had RNY 8/28 and my craving are the same, emotions the same, very heavy flow and headaches the same... the only that has changed is that during I can not eat much I go back to soup and liquids becuase I have always been sick to my stomach for 5 days and this makes it ever more so... BUT... my cycle has always been tough on me so I just take it in stride.. I wouldn't change anything about my surgery. I am down 80lbs and have never felt better about myself.
   — phyllismmay

February 6, 2009
Nope, they are still the same. Sometimes I feel like I can not get enough chocolate. LOL!!!
   — Carlyn M.

February 6, 2009
I had to change birth control after my surgery(the pill isn't absorbed after surgery so it won't work) also I think I'm going thru "the Change". I do have sugar cravings tough. I started taking Chromimum Picolate for carb cravings when they hit. You may need to crush them and I don't even know if they really work but I think they do and my cravings do weaken or dissappear even so I still take them.
   — JODI_13

February 6, 2009
I crave chocolate a lot when it is that time. Thank heavens for murrays SF cookies, especially the chocolate ones. I alos find the chocolate protein powder helps with the cravings, I add SF fudge topping from Smuckers or SF jello pudding singles to the protein drink. I only use a small amount and as for the jello singles I do not use the whole pack. I also have found that I am not on a set schedule for that time, it skips around a lot and it wasn't always like that especially after I had my son. I am not on any BC but then I haven't been on any BC since 1996. I also think I am more grouchy than I used to be. Good Luck!!
   — im3d2

February 8, 2009
I would have to say that yes my cycle has changed a bunch.They are heavier,last more days...sometimes two weeks,I am very moody. I have all the symptoms of peri-menapous,but my Dr. says NO,that's not it,I'm too young he says. I'm looking into finding a new PCP...LOL. He says my body is still making hormons for a 365 lb woman.I have lost 165 lbs.so far,but am on a plateu at this point.Good luck to ya Ruth.
   — pcjacobus