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.




Click Here to Return
×