Question:
Getting your period right after surgery?True or False?
Someone told me that most women get their periods about 3 days after surgery,whether they were due to have it or not.I completely dismissed it as a ridiculous rumour, but then I got mine 3 days after going into the hospital, and I was NOT due! What is up with that?Can I expect this now in a month or will I go back to my original schedule?I should add that blood flow is lighter than normal.Also. if it's true,what would possibly cause it.It seems like adding insult to injury to me! — [Anonymous] (posted on January 18, 2002)
January 18, 2002
Luckily I didn't have to deal with that issue after my WLS. I had a
complete hysterectomy 5 years before that. But I have had several
surgeries before that and ALWAYS had the same experience that you describe.
Didn't matter if I had just had my period, I got it again! They say that
it is from the shock to your system that surgery and anesthesia cause. It
will return to normal in a couple of months. You will probably get it
again at the regular time. YEAH! Although with losing the weight so fast,
it will probably mess up your cycles anyway. Some women don't have it at
all for a while.
— livnliter
January 18, 2002
I got mine on the day of surgery and was not due to have mine till 2 weeks
later. then I had the next one the same time as surgery, then the following
month it changed back to my normal time of the month. So at least you didnt
have to deal with it at the same time as your surgery date :)
— kris71872
January 18, 2002
Hi, I got my period the day of my surgery and that sucker stayed with me
the entire time. It was particularly heavy I think because of the blood
thinners, but it definitely did not do anything to help my level of
comfort. It was the longest period I have had. When I spoke to one of the
nurses she said that the majority of women wind up having theirs at one
point in the hospital because of the shock of the surgery. Grin and bear
it and expect your cycle to be off for a couple of months.
— Elizabeth P.
January 18, 2002
Hi, I too started my period the day of surgery and had a very heavy
flow-not convenient when you've just had your belly sliced open. Prior to
surgery I was peri-menopausal and had only had a couple of periods in the
last year. However, I am now having one every 28-30 days. My surgeon said
it was stress hormones. One of my nurses said it happens to surgical
patients all the time.
— Susan A.
January 18, 2002
I'm a nurse at BTC post op. It happens all the time. Usually during or
right after your surgery. Going under messes with your hormones and many
get there periods soon after surgery.
— Barb B.
January 18, 2002
true for me also...got mine day after and had only had mine about a week
and a half prior, and i am usually one of them "clock work"
people. my next one came pretty much a month after that and has been on
time since that
— paula B.
January 18, 2002
Yep ... me too. It was due anyway and started the day after surgery.
— Lynn T.
January 18, 2002
I thought it would pass me up. I have not had a period is so long. Then 4
days later when it is the most inconvenient time in my life it hits. Guess
better late than never.
— domestic G.
January 18, 2002
I got mine 5 days post op. after not having one for over a year. I think
surgeons should tell women who are not menoposal that this is something to
expect either during or shortly after surgery. After not having one for
over a year, I was totally shocked as if I were 12 or 13 again.
— Jan M.
January 18, 2002
I wasnt due for 2 weeks, and sure enough, 2d day after surgery, here it
come.
— Phiddy B.
January 18, 2002
Yup! I got mine 4 days post-op for about 5 days. It was a light flow.
Then 23 days later I started again. The first two days were light, and
then after that, I was bleeding heavily for 6 more days. I was changing my
tampon every hour. :-( I think that it also has to do with my body not
being on birth control pills for two months. I've been on them for 7 years
and it was a shock to the system. I'm just waiting for my next cycle.
Hopefully I can go back to my regular 28 day cycle.
— tmrivas
January 18, 2002
Wow........I am definately in the minority here!! My period was not due to
start for about 2 weeks post op.. but it waited 4 weeks!!!! I was a happy
girl! This is a very interesting post. I had never heard of this.. but
VER VERY interesing.. thanks for posting..
— Pamela W.
January 18, 2002
yes yes it is possible i was not due to get mine until 2weeks after when
the nurse took me to the bathroom for my first walk there it was she said
due to the bodys truma after sugery it releases so dont worry
— melissa W.
January 18, 2002
My periods were messed up the three months prior to surgery. They were
coming 1-2 weeks early - I actually thought I was starting menopause. I got
my period the week before surgery, and as luck would have it, got the next
one 28 days later. The stress of the surgery plays all kinds of havoc on
your body. I even developed a facial tic the month prior to surgery, that
went away immediately afterwards. Now I'm almost 7 weeks post-op, and my
period is late (but I'm PMSing, so I know it's on it's way). I'm just glad
I didn't have to deal with it during the first week post-op.
— Cyndie K.
January 19, 2002
I had my surgery on 12/18 and got my period after I came home on 12/22. It
wasn't due until 12/31. So, YES it happens quite frequently. From when I
had it on 12/22...it is now due and I am having PMS symptoms. I expect it
tomorrow. I think usually it will start again normally, but we are all
different. If you have a large weight loss the first month...it plays
havoc with our estrogen because estrogen is stored in fat cells. I am
losing pretty evenly so I think my cycle will be OK.
— Karen B.
January 19, 2002
I was just thinking about this same question yesterday. You know..Im
wondering if the Heperin Medication has something to do with it? I know
that my surgeon gives Heperin shots (used to thin your blood to avoid blood
clots) so maybe that plays a part in it..something to think about.
— mastrnservnt
January 19, 2002
I got over my period 3 days before my surgery but still expected to start
another one shortly afterwords. I was so glad that it didn't happen that
way. One less hassle. My next period arrived right an schedule and the only
thing unusual about it was that it lasted 7 days instead of my normal 5.
— Donna L.
January 19, 2002
True. I got my period 3 days after (had my normal period during Christmas)
surgery and spoke to my Dr. and she said that due to the trauma of surgery
to your body it is very common to have a period.
— roshelle P.
January 19, 2002
TRUE for me go my period on the third day post op. I was very surprised,
and chagrined. JUst what we didn;'t need. good luck.
— michelle R.
January 20, 2002
TRUE!!! Ewww I got mine the 2nd day after surgery in hospital and was I
miserable... just go prepared the hospital stuff is HUGE.
— Sammie D.
January 20, 2002
I had the opposite experience when I had breast reduction surgery on 11/19.
My period was due three days post-op, but it never came. It didn't come
for another two weeks until (12/3), the same day my roommate got hers.
Then I got my period again on Christmas day, but it only lasted one day.
I'm still not back on a regular schedule. My doctor was surprised, he said
it's much more common to start early than late.
— Claire C.
August 10, 2003
I got mine on day three, too. Talk about adding insult to injury! I
figured it was because i wasn't taking my bc pills. They were the last
thing on my mind. Anyway, now, on day 5, the flow is disapating. I will
restart pills and figure I'll get back on schedule.
— terriny
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