Question:
Have any women ended up having their period the day of their surgery?

When I picked my surgery date I made sure that I wasn't due for my monthly. For the first time ever, except for my pregnancies, my cycle was off the other month by 3 weeks late and now I will be due right when my surgery is scheduled. Has this happened to anyone and if so was this a problem for the surgeon? Can they give you something that will stop it. I just didn't want to have to deal with that at the same time. I don't want to postpone it either.    — Lori M. (posted on September 12, 2002)


September 11, 2002
Lori, if I was you, I certainly would not postpone my surgery because of my period. I had open RNY almost 14 months ago and the surgery caused my period to start 2 weeks early (this happens to a lot of people). From what I've been told, surgery can cause the body to do crazy things. So I guess my point is that even if you were to postpone it to a later date, you still could end up having your period while in the hospital. It is a nuisance, but it really wasn't that bad. Best of luck!
   — Lori B.

September 11, 2002
hi, congratulations im 4 months post op i started my period the day of my surgery i just told the nursing staff at hospital when i went in..it doesent change any fact about having the surgery except you will be over your period by the time you get out of hospital or day you go home. i didnt have a period the next month but i was told that was normal and not to worry, so dont worry and good luck i hope all goes well. angie mathews
   — ANGIE M.

September 11, 2002
Hi! I am 9 months post-op (and -101pounds) and I ended up getting my period 2 days after surgery and I still had my cath in talk about fun! Good news it prompted them to remove the cath but none the less you already feel grumpy so you wont really notice.Good Luck!
   — MrsGus

September 11, 2002
I was due 3 days after my surgery, but my surgery set off my period. It wasn't a big deal. The nurses got me some pads and it was okay.
   — Cathy S.

September 11, 2002
Yes.. I started my period the morning of my surgery. Was I p***ed! I told the check-in nurse what happend and she gave me a pad to hold between my legs. I figure they've seen it all before and it didn't phase anyone there. However, I did freak out one of the nurses that had to check my urine output. She was releived when I told her I was having my period. And since having my surgery (-87 lbs) my period is like clockwork. Every 3 weeks exactly. It wasn't the big deal I thought it would be so don't worry about it.
   — Betty M.

September 11, 2002
YES, I wasn't due for my period but I got it anyway. I think the surgery must trigger it. I was very embarrassed because I was unable to change the pads myself, etc. but the nurses took care of it all for me.
   — Peggy D.

September 11, 2002
YES! I started mine about a 1/2 hour before going into the operating room. I was lying down waiting for the knock out drugs and asked to go potty, took my IV with me to go potty, and that's when I started. It was no biggie, the nurses where very helpful after surgery, they brought me everything I needed and helped take care of me. I was so embarrased, but the nurses understood. Good luck & God Bless!
   — stacjean

September 11, 2002
Lori, I got mine too! And it was 3 weeks early! I woke up in the bed full of, well you know, and it scard me to death not knowing WHY was I bleeding, then to find out. I was told the surgery messes with our hormones and wah-lah!
   — Gina D.

September 12, 2002
If you're on the pill, you can sip a period(s) by taking the active pills continuously (skipping over the blank ones that you take in during your period) and starting a new pack right away (or if you take the 21-pill regimen then just go straight to your next pack without stopping). If you're not on the pill, I don't have an answer about how to stop it. But, based on the other posts, it shouldn't be too big a deal, unless you have very difficult periods, I guess. If it REALLY bothers you, you could consider going on the pill a month or more before surgery (if you have the time). BUT... many MO ppl can't take the pill for health reasons, so it may or may not be an option for you.
   — Patricia E.

September 12, 2002
Your body is under so much stress and has been through such a change, that it comes when it wants to. Mine came about a weeks post-op. Scared me to death because I though something was wrong! It does mess with your hormones. It just knocks your system out of whack!
   — sammygirlwpc

September 12, 2002
Gosh the problems of being a women, I had mine a week prior, then it came back the day I was discharged from the hospital...And the flow was for a week rather than my normal 2 days and boy was it strong.
   — heathercross

September 12, 2002
Lori, I had that exact thing happen to me. I hadn't gotten my period since March 5th, 2002 (I have PCOS and am very irregular) and then all of a sudden, it came with a vengence the day after surgery on June 7th, 2002. My surgeon said that it is very common due to the trauma and shock to the body, wether you are due for a period or not. I just used x-tra large pads and cleaned up as best I could. Tampons were out of the question because I would have never been able to maneuver or bend for them, and I changed the pads while seated on the toilet so I wouldn't have to bend or twist for thoese either. Other than that, having my period was just an added delight to the pain and suffering. God bless.
   — Kelly C.

September 12, 2002
i to had planned my surgrey to be after my monthly, but guess what,,, yep , i started the day after surgrey,tho not ideal, i was just fine, the nurses told me this had happen to alot of women and not to be embarrassed.
   — stacey S.

September 12, 2002
My surgeon told us we CAN'T take birth control pills for at least one month before surgery because of the risk of blood clots! so I wouldnt take them to try and skip a period!
   — nicole79

September 12, 2002
HI, I am only 2 weeks out and low and behold my period started the day before surgery. The hospital will provide you with large absorbant pads, but if you feel more comfortable take your own. I also had a catheter(sp) in for about 48 hours which was no biggy.
   — Jennifer E.

September 12, 2002
Thanks everyone for your replys. I feel much more at ease about it. Seems like this happens to more people then I realized. Congratulations to everyone on their surgery and weight loss.
   — Lori M.




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