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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