Question:
For the women: How many are having whacko periods since surgery?

Sorry guys... I'm at my wits end. Since surgery my periods have gone whacko! I'm 39, and had regular periods every 28 days before surgery. I started out at 291, currently at 184 at almost 6 months out. I now spot/bleed 3 weeks out of 4 every month. I was on the pill (Yasmin), and my doc switched me to the nuva ring thinking my body would absorb it better, and I'm still bleeding just as much. I've heard others say this has happened to them, but when does it stop? My GYN doesn't want to do anything invasive at this point (thank God) due to the trauma my body has already been through this year. He thinks it's just hormonal from the rapid weight loss and will stop when my weight stabilizes. I'm not in pain, not weak or anemic, just very annoyed. Anyone have any words of encouragement about when this might stop? Thanks, and God bless all of you!    — Happy I. (posted on November 9, 2003)

November 9, 2003
Lisa, I don't know if I can share encouragement but my cycle has been in whacked mode, nothing for 9 months then bleeding for weeks at a time, spotting here there and every where. But I have been assured this is normal and related to the rapid weight lose and should stablize as weight stablizes. I'm 18 months post op ... but I'm still losing. Keep up the good work you're doing so well hopefully we'll get back to normal sooner than later:)
   — Laurie B.

November 9, 2003
Yes! I am 2 years out TODAY, and still having spotting troubles. For the first year though, I was normal, as I was pre-op, but for the past year it has been so crazy! My GYN didn't have any answers for me and wants to see if it becomes regular again, and it hasn't. I'm just going to go back and let her know that it hasn't improved. I wish I had an answer for you. I just wanted you to know that you are not alone, so maybe it does have something to do with the weight loss.
   — Cheri M.

November 9, 2003
Hi Lisa~ add me in there too. I am almost 6 months out and I have been spotting pretty much the whole time. There is a short time I do get kind of P.M.S like and then I bleed a bit heavier but still not like before surgery. I was thinking it had to do with hormones and the sudden loss of weight. Good luck~
   — Maggie M.

November 9, 2003
Here's a thought...how about depo-provera (injection every 3 months)? A majority of women on this method have NO periods, so maybe it would at least make yours normal? Just a thought.
   — Kimberley E.

November 10, 2003
Me too! I have been sent to specialist for this very reason. I tried the patch, would just bleed through. So then, we tried the nuva-ring, I'm still bleeding through it. The gyno had no idea why this is happening. She simply tells me to track it and come back in 2 months. I know it isn't due to rapid weight loss, as I'm 2 years out and stabalized (have been for a while). I'm really getting sick of bleeding 3 out of 4 weeks a month!
   — Chloe S.

November 10, 2003
I too have had this same problem. I had a lap rny on 04-29-03. I had always had a regular cycle and even had a regular cycle the month after my surgery but then it went whacko and I have been bleeding every since. HEAVY BLLEDING most of the time. I have an appt with my PCP this evening to get a shot to stop the bleeding. I called my bariatric doctor and I was advised that this was not uncommon at all for the amount of weight I have lost. (I am down 120 lbs.) I'll let you know if I get any further information that I think would be useful to you. Thanks. Melony
   — Melony H.

November 11, 2003
Okay Lisa this is Melony again. I did go to the doctor yesterday and this is how he is treating me. He put me on 4 strong estrogen pills a day for a couple of days then backing down to 3 a day, 2 a day etc.. He advised me that once the bleeding stops to immediately start using the birth control patches that he prescribed but not to take it off for the last week of the month, (works just like the 28 day birth control pills-the last 7 days are sugar pills)and just leave the patch on non-stop for at least 3 months then take it off the last week of the month and allow myself to have a period. Beleive it or not..I took 4 estrogen pills last night and have already taken the 4 tablets for today and my flow has almost stopped. Hope this makes sense and hope this helps. Thanks, Melony
   — Melony H.