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Hey all, Just wanted to get a heads up out to those who are perimenopausal. I’m 54 yo and I’ve lost almost 70 lbs since I started WLS inquiry. At 3 month check up I was in the middle of a very heavy and unexpected period, feeling lightheaded and sluggish though alert. But 3 weeks of heavy period landed me in ER with very low BP and diagnosis of severe anemia. I’m on the slow boat to regaining healthy blood pressure/volume by taking it easy and iron supplements - though no transfusion. The doctor thought the very quick drop in estrogen (stored in fat cells) may have contributed to the heavy period, resulting in blood loss. If anyone has experienced strange periods (I was basically almost at 1 yr mark for not having period) I’d be interested in your story. Thanks much!

Hi, All! I am scheduled for gastric sleeve surgery next week (8/16/23)! Kaiser has prepped me to the extent that I feel comfortable with the whole process. I am a bit worried about pain post-op, as I am going home same day. However, doc says gabapentin will be good enough, and he will call me the next day to be sure. I don't expect much after 3 days, though. I wish us all good luck, a speedy recovery, and all the weight loss we are hoping for. 🙂 Happy trails, Marian

Thank you!!! I'm so close to my goal and I'm getting impatient to get there lol I know it'll happen, but I'm just ready NOW lol

I take Flonase and Singulair. I stopped taking Zyrtec for that same reason, and Claritin never really worked for me.

I wonder if Allegra crosses over? That's what I take when I need it. Though to be honest the big winner for me is Nasonex nasal spray. I have the itchy, burning, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing symptoms primarily and had two allergists tell me nasal sprays are by far the best for controlling those symptoms--especially the eye symptoms. I use it twice a day, when I wake up and at bedtime and if I miss a day man do I feel it. Much more effective than just a pill and no systemic side effects!

I stick with Benadryl. I've had allergies most of my adult life. They're perennial. I tried Zyrtec and Claritin, but they don't work as fast. Also, because I'm chronically dehydrated due to my sleeve 14 years ago, I try to deal with my allergies until I just can't handle it anymore. Too much allergy medication exacerbates my dehydration. Hope you feel better!

Isn't it strange how some docs just don't seem to give a darn about their patients ? Then others - will go out of their way for you . It boggles my mind how these bad docs still stay in business.

First few days post op bypass were ROUGH for me. I had post op depression, I was in pain, my potassium dipped so low I was symptomatic and thought I was dying. Spent from 2pm -4am in two different ERs that day. I would cry in my kitchen because of regret and guilt with having the surgery. I didnt know how I was supposed to get my fluids in and protein AND focus on healing. I was feeling very, very down. I started taking things moment by moment. I advocated for myself about the low potassium and low heart rate i was experiencing. I bought a 64oz water bottle and made sure it was finished by the end of the day. I got a pill organizer and organized all my meds and vitamins so that I didnt feel like poop. I started walking around my house to ease the pain since it was so darn hot outside. I told myself that my body had just been though A LOT of trauma and that I have to treat it with love. I have a tattoo on my arm that says, “this too shall pass” and I reminded myself of that every day. I reminded myself of what a beautifully raw process getting WLS is. I made sure to seek support and help when I needed it most. You WILL feel like crap after surgery, thats a given, but IT WONT LAST. Just remember that even in your darkest moments. You got this.

I’m scheduled for August 21st!