Question:
hysterectomy, weight gain & approval

Has anyone had a hysterectomy and gained a large amount of weight? and if so is this concidered when approving for sugery? i had a hysterectomy in 1999 and have gained soo much weight.....about 80 pounds and wanted to know if they concsidered that when its going through the approval process?    — LUVY L. (posted on December 11, 2001)

December 11, 2001
I'm just curious why you gained a large amount of weight due to the hysterectomy? I dont mean to offend but I am trying to make the connection. I cant see anything medically that would connect the operation per say with gaining 80lbs. I know when I had my myoctomony (removal of fibriods - 1999) I gained back the 86 pounds I had lost pre-op for I was working out 5 days a week. My regain had nothing to do with the operation its self but more to do with I got lazy during the 6 weeks of recovery when I couldnt do anything and after I was given a clear bill of health to return to work, I continued my lazy habits, thus regained the weight. I am just pondering your question is all and I am sure the insurance company will be thinking the same thoughts. Was there any medicines that would have cause weight gain that you were taking?
   — Gwen M.

December 11, 2001
Hi Luvy..I had my hysterectomy and ovary removal at age 37.I gained alot of weight after that also.For me it disrupted my hormone levels in all of my endocrine system.I became hypothyroid and take a med for that,but I am completely unable to lose weight and I have tried everything. This may seem like a silly comparison but when you have a cat spayed they usually gain weight also. especially the females, because it changes the hormonal balance.For the people that leave their ovaries, they may be ok for a while, but the human body is smart and the ovaries know that the uterus is not there and they can start decressing their estrogen and progesterone output. It is very complex, but I am living proof that it occurs.Your BMI is in the range for surgery so I don't see why you would have a problem getting approved unless your insurance has a specific exclusion.I have a BMI of 39 and many co-morbs and it took a while but I was approved.
   — garyzgurl

December 11, 2001
Thank you LucyAnn for you insight. Will I have problems losing weight after I have my hystertomy? I will be having something late next year. I am on coudium and wont be having surgery until my 6 months of treatment is up. I will be like 7 months out when I revisit the issue.
   — Gwen M.

December 11, 2001
Dear luvy, At the young age of 28 i to had a complete hysterectomy. Since then i have put on 55lbs. I thought maybe it was the hormone replacement or just me. I'm now 30 and not taking premrin. I take over the counter soy. (Helps with the hot Flashes)My first appt is not untill Feb. 11. I have gone to support meetings and spoke with people in regards to having this surgery andproblems because of the hysterectomy.The nurse for my doctor is there to and she told me that they are not even in the pelvic area and should not make any difference.
   — sarah C.

December 12, 2001
Glad I could shed some light on this subject.I am a statistic of a hysterectomy that pretty much ruined my life, but I chose to have my ovaries out because they were cystic and covered in endo. My sister had only her uterus removed and she is about 3 yrs out and is now 47. She did much better than me hormonally. I think she is just starting to go through menopause, because she talks of having occasional hot flashes. Everyone is so different and some ladies breeze through menopause and others suffer like crazy. I am on specially compounded hormones made for me by college pharmacy and they have been a godsend.You will have to see how your body reacts after you have your surgery.You may breeze through it. I will tell you that premarin is the worst hormone replacement anyone can be on in my opinion. I have done research on it and it is made from pregnant mares urine..hence the name Premarin. Whatever the mare ingests so do you. When I found this out I looked into alternative methods of HRT and came across college pharmacy.Hope everything works out for you.Email me if you have any questions.Good Luck<3
   — garyzgurl