Question:
I am 8 wks postop and have started to have night sweats each night.

During the day I freeze a lot (metabolic changes) and go to bed to warm up only to wake 2 - 3 hrs later drenched with sweat. I have to change night clothes. My hair is even wet. I read that this could be high blood sugar. I have never had a problem with diabetes. Could the surgery bring on high blood sugar? I am in my late 40's and used to have regular periods before surgery. I haven't had one since surgery. Could I be having menopausal symptoms? I have never experienced a hot flash so I don't know if night sweats are like them or not. Anybody have this experience?    — [Anonymous] (posted on January 22, 2001)

January 22, 2001
Well, that happened to me the first month after surgery...But I was told it was me sweating Fat. It was the fat coming off of me. That made sense to me. Haven't had it since. I now see the fat go in my urine and bowels. Kind of weird. I knwo this doesn't help you. Just go to the doctor hon...Hope you feel better.
   — Angela A.

January 22, 2001
Hmmm, sounds like menopausal symptoms. But, since we're not doctors I'd go see your doctor to make sure. I've never heard of sweating fat.
   — Betty Todd

January 22, 2001
My Ob-GYN told me we store estrogen in our fat and when we experience rapid weightloss, our periods could get whacked out. That being said, your body could be reacting by having menopausal symptoms that may not last. Given your age, they may last. I am 41 and have experienced night sweats, but not all the time and not with the intensity you have. I would call the Dr. just for your own peace.
   — M B.

January 23, 2001
I agree with Angela, you could be "sweating off fat" so to speak, in ketosis. I did this for about a month after surgery too and I didn't like the sickeningly sweet smell of it either -- yet my family said they didn't know what I was talking about. It stopped on its own. However, you could also be in the beginnings of menopause too. I've been there, done that! Hormonal changes aren't fun!
   — Cindy H.

January 23, 2001
No, no, no...we do not sweat fat in any way, shape or form. If we did sweat fat we'd have all built a sauna instead of having our insides rearranged. <p>What is ketosis? ketosis is a metabolic disorder marked by high levels of ketones in the tissues and body fluids, including blood and urine. There is less sugar than normal in the blood and less glycogen (the storage form of sugar) in the liver; fat accumulates in the liver, as do amino acids, from which the liver can produce more glycogen. <p>Ketosis is a common result of fasting or the modified fasting we do in the early stages of post-op eating. Ketosis can cause a sick/sweet smell to the breath or perspiration. It is not, however, fat being sweated out. <p>It is most likely that night sweats are being caused by estrogen, which is stored in fat, being dumped into your system. Have your physician do an FSH test to check your horomonal levels. Best of luck to you!
   — [Anonymous]

January 23, 2001
AN UPDATE***** Thanks to all for your responses. Just wanted to let you know in case this is happening to anyone else....Went to PCP today and had a fasting blood sugar test and my sugar is borderline high. I can't explain why this has happened especially with the post op diet I am on except that my physician recommended a small glass of red wine right before bed to aid in healing (antioxidant) and that may have raised my blood sugar. I am not Diabetic but since surgery, things are really screwy with metabolism etc. Doctor says a rise in blood sugar can cause night sweats and it is like when you have a temperature and it breaks causing sweating. So, I am to not eat any sugar late in the day or evening. Of course, it still could be hormonal. Doctor says so many things are happening in my body right now it is hard to pin point without further testing. Changes are occuring so fast! He thinks all will resolve itself eventually and to be patient for now. I guess it takes a while to be your "new" self!!! Thanks to all you wonderful, caring people.
   — [Anonymous]