Question:
Where will the I.V. be and how soon will I get my period?

I have seen a few people get I.V.'s in their neck - is that the only place they put them? And how soon after surgery does your period start. A few people told me a day or two after surgery. They said that it was hard to wear pads because you won't be wearing any underware. I am afraid of Tampons - what should I do?    — Tasha B. (posted on November 22, 2000)

November 22, 2000
My IV was in my arm. I started my period the night before surgery. When I went into the hospital I told the nurse that I was having my period and the put a pad under me during surgery. I wore underware in the hospital with a pad. There was no way I could have delt with having to put a tampon in and out. If I had to do it over again I would take disposable underware ( they make them to absorb alot) and used them instead. Good luck
   — Paula G.

November 22, 2000
My I.V. was in my hand and I got my period hours after surgery. They gave me pads and disposable undies. It was very light though. Good luck!
   — Jill M.

November 22, 2000
My IV was in my hand (not in my palm, but on the top). It was not bad at all. Periods are not an issue for me anymore so I cannot tell you about that! <grin> But I agree that I would not have been able to use a tampon then. --Libby
   — Libby B.

November 22, 2000
My IV was in the top of my hand. The site often depends not only on how easy (or difficult) it is to find available veins in the hands or arms, but also on the individual preferences of the anesthesia personnel. Some anesthetists/anesthesiologists will automatically opt for veins in the neck or behind the collarbone with very obese patients, rather than have to make multiple IV attempts trying to find smaller veins in the hands or arms. I think you just have to trust the judgment of professionals who are expert in that area. With regard to your period, it's hard to predict what will happen. Major surgery is a "shock" to your entire system. Sometimes surgery will "jumpstart" your period early, and many women find that they might not have a period for several months following surgery, so don't be alarmed if either event happens.
   — Diana T.

November 22, 2000
Regarding the IV - I agree, it depends on where they can get it into a suitable vein. They had a little trouble getting mine in as they need a fairly large guage IV for open RNY. They finally put in a small IV, used that to put me sleep, then put in the "heavy duty" IV in my arm after I was asleep. Over the 6 days I was in the hospital, I had an IV in both hands and both arms (not all at once, of course). However, everyone is different and I happen to have small, deep, fragile veins. Regarding your menstrual period - mine came right on schedule, which was while I was in the hospital. I knew it was "that time", but did not want to postpone surgery and then possibly have another period anyway. I had to use pads, tampons were impossible. The nurses got me some of those big, heavy duty maternity pads and they worked well. I tucked these in my undies (I just wore regular panties when I could. At first I just tucked the pad in where it needed to be.) We put waterproof pads on the bed and it wasn't unbearable. This was a little embarassing and pretty messy; however, I found that when I am on heavy narcotics like demoral, my sense of modesty is greatly diminished. I found the flow to be heavier than normal and was thankful to have my sister help me clean up in those "hard to reach areas". Remember your tongs and wooden spoons!! One nice side effect ... with heavy duty pain meds, cramps are not a problem <g>. PMS, however, is alive and well, and was rampant during my first few days. This was basically a big pain in the butt, but not a showstopper IMHO.
   — Lynn T.

November 22, 2000
Tasha ... greetings from the woman with the world's WORST veins! Getting blood drawn at the doctor's office is an adventure and a half, although since I've lost 110 pounds it seems to be going better. When I had my surgery, my first IV was in my forearm just below the elbow (on the inside). On the second day after surgery, my teeny tiny veins popped the thing out and all the IV fluid was going into the tissues of my arm instead of my vein. Arm like a balloon that lasted for WEEKS. So they moved it to the back of my hand, which hurt like hell because my vein kept "rolling" as the poor nurse was trying to put it in. That lasted for about half a day before I told them to take it out or I would. But I have terrible veins, and most people don't have that trouble. As for the period, I went to the hospital prepared (I wasn't due for another week, but I'd read on this site about surgery bringing it on), but nothing happened. In fact, I was a week LATE, and then back on track by June. I used pads, not tampons -- which I hate at the best of times. As an aside, when I was in hospital having my second son (by c-section), the hospital gave me these expanding netty-type underwear that the big maternity pads fit into. I had a cut (from the section) across my pubic bone, and didn't have any discomfort, so you might ask about those. Good luck and warm thoughts,
   — Cheryl Denomy

November 23, 2000
My IV was in my neck during and after surgery, I was under anestesia when it was inserted. It didn't hurt at all, even when they took it out. I'd rather have that than being poked over and over. My first period after surgery was two weeks late.
   — Joy Z.

November 24, 2000
I had the central line that had several ports.It was placed about two inches left of my collar bone and was placed after I was put to sleep. IV fluids, blood drawing, iv medications, etc. It was not bad especially when it came to drawing blood. I also have those deep troublesome veins. I was in the hospital for 10 days and took it out about seven days into my stay. As far as my period. I have maybe 2-3 periods per year and they seem to come on whenever I have a major event going on in my life. This was one time when it came on. About five days into my hospital stay. When I went to the regular floor, the nurse told me this is a common occurance after surgery for women. So the the nurses should be ready to handle the situation. They gave me the maternity pads and the blue absorbant pads to put under me. Thank God feminine products have came a long way. The maternity pads where you have to have the belts are for the birds.
   — Jan M.