Question:
Has anyone's first period after surgery been horrific?
I had my surgery on June 6th and have been on my period for the last 14 days. The last 7 days have been nothing but clots and extremely heavy bleeding. (so much that I am weaker than when I left the hospital) Anyone else experience this???? — rhonda R. (posted on June 26, 2002)
June 26, 2002
I never had regular periods until after my surgery but I started a birth
control pill and had a period for 2 months and some of it was just clots.
My doctor told me because I never had regular periods before that my body
was just clearing out. I felt very weak though and had some lab work done
to make sure I wasn't anemic which I wasn't. I would definantly see my doc
though if you feel weak all the time.
— Jessica M.
June 26, 2002
Rhonda...my first period after surgery was bad. I attributed it to not
taking birth control pills anymore, and the changing hormones in my body.
It was just bad bad cramps though for me. I think that what you describe
needs to be checked out, and I am happy that you are seeing your GYN
tomorrow. Good luck, hope everything goes well.
— Nichole B.
June 26, 2002
Oh my gosh yes! I had an open RNY on 05/07/02. My first period after
surgery was the absolute worst I've ever had. The flow was incredibly heavy
with intense cramps. I'm due to have my next period within a matter of a
day or two and if it's anything like the last I plan to go see my
doctor/GYN. I had a tubal ligation 8 years ago so I'm not on any birth
control nor do I take any medications. I was thinking my first post-op
period may have been bad due to the hormonal changes from the anestesia
(sp?). I've also heard that losing weight increases the amount of
"free" estrogen in the blood which I guess could also contribute,
but I'm not a doc nor do I play one on TV, so who knows.
— Kelly S.
June 26, 2002
Yes, yes, yes! The pain seemed particularly bad too since I already had so
much soreness in that area. I was just grateful that I didn't start while
in the hospital, the stress of the surgery causes many ladies to start
shortly after the surgery (or during). For the first period, I still had
some Tylenol 3 left and that is what I used to get through it. Hang in
there!
— Tracie B.
June 26, 2002
Hi Rhonda. My first period after I came home from the hospital was
terrible. Very heavy, clots, and very painful. Thanks goodness I had pain
meds! My periods since then have been normal with very little pain, if any.
Sounds like this is a normal thing.....
— Kim B.
June 27, 2002
I'm a year post-op, and STILL have heavy and clotted periods since surgery.
I also have cramps, but not so bad where they'll keep me home from work.
Before surgery I was irregular unless I was on the pill, so now I'm just
thankful that my period comes when it's supposed to! Although I can't wait
until I don't have to deal with it anymore! Good luck!
— Becky H.
June 27, 2002
ABSOLUTELY YES!!! I actually went to the ER the night before I got my
period thinking I was dying. They ran a ton of tests, gave me pain meds
and a shot to stop the nausea and sent me home. I woke up the next morning
to my period. In talking with my Doctor about this, it is my understanding
that it has to do with hormones being "messed up." I went
through 2 really bad periods and then decided to do something about it. I
am now on the patch (ortho evera)which regulates my periods, however
doesn't act as birth control (until I reach 198 lbs.). I hope you find
some way to get your period regular and not so painful. If you have any
questions, please feel free to email me!
— Chloe S.
June 27, 2002
Wow. I was going to post this question yesterday. Horrific puts it mildly
-- and mine has only been here for 3 days. Aren't we so lucky?
— Karen F.
June 27, 2002
14 days is a lot of blood to lose under any circumstance, but it is a
critical circumstance now. PLEASE call your surgeon today. He may want to
check your iron, give you something to stop it, or have something far more
professional to suggest versus all of the empathy you will get on this
site. Really, call him. It takes a while to build up your iron levels
again -- don't let it go any longer! If you feel like it, post back on
this question as to what he/she says, so the data base has some answer for
future sufferers. God Bless!
— Karen F.
June 27, 2002
I had my surgery on 5/28 and started my period that evening. My period
finally ended on June 22. I called my surgeon's office and they felt that
my estrogen and progesterone levels were changing rapidly and attributed
the bleeding to that. They did advise me to see my gynecologist just to be
on the safe side. Best of luck to you.
— Andrea C.
June 27, 2002
My first period after surgery was painful, long and very heavy. My doctor
told me that that is normal due to the stress the body went under. Since
then though, I've had normal periods - well normal for me - and on time
every month.
— Gremlin Q.
June 28, 2002
My first....second...and third periods after surgery have all been terrible
and I am only 8 weeks post-op!
— pam29922
January 8, 2003
I have missed 2 days of work because I just experienced my first post-op
period! This is terrible! I have never had such intense cramps and heavy
bleeding. Must be normal, looks like lots of you are experiencing it.
— Haley G.
January 8, 2003
Rhonda - I had the same problems. I started my period about 2-3 days after
leaving the hospital and it continued for about 4-5 weeks. It was also
extremely heavy and I did feel very weak from it. I am 7 weeks post op now
and it did stop for a week and now I am back on my period again. This time
it is a normal period though. My doctor said not to worry - that our
hormones are just really out of whack from wls and that it will get better.
— kandi S.
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