TMI TIme: How is TOM going?

[crosswind 134]

I know I should probably get this checked if it continues, but I *hate* the ob/gyn and would rather be put in a Russian gulag than go through an exam so I've been sort of watching this bemusedly. Wonder what y'all think.

I was having TOM when I got my surgery eleven weeks ago. It was heavy as usual but it stopped, then it came again, stopped again, all regular and rosy. Started again on schedule a little over two weeks ago and I've been on the rag *ever since*.

Do you think this is the estrogen factor from losing almost fifty pounds? Is it maybe the massive steroid injection I got four days ago? Anything similar happen to you? Usually my gyn will tell me that all manner of complete strangeness is completely normal, so I lose interest in hanging on the phone talking about my period. But this is a tad outside the lines, even for me.

You?

[MegInNOLA 531]

NOBODY hates going to the gyn more than I, but if I was OTR for 2 weeks, I'd be running there demanding to be fixed. LOL It's bad enough that I thought mine had stopped until the fateful "3 days after surgery" period showed up (and the month after that, too, and I bet again this week, darn it!)--seriously, that issue is not normal, and I hope you go see your doc. Better safe than sorry, really.

Meg

[swizzly 901]

Not to be glib about your delicate condition lol...but I have read about this happening all the time to people after WLS. All that estrogen running rampant in your body, well, it just has its way with you. I wouldn't be overly concerned, personally (well, *I* would, given that I had a hysterectomy four years ago lol), unless you're also having other problems besides just overspending in the girlie aisle at the grocery store. Are you feeling faint or dizzy or anything?

[kellyw74 258]

I finished my TOM 2 days before my surgery. Now, I have always been normal, you can set your watch to me kinda girl!

3 days after my surgery, I started again!! WTF??? And it was as if I had never had one a week prior! It was full-blown 7 day period! I was like, are you kidding me???

That was a month ago and I started again yesterday! Just like I should have!!!

What the hell?

Kelly

[crosswind 134]

Thanks all and thanks Swizzly -- no, I'm fine, I'm just on the rag. If you can call that fine -- this is usually my least favorite five days of every month, now booked for a longer engagement. I'm one of those women who can't wait til she doesn't have to deal with this anymore...

[LoLo78 0]

My GYN told me the heavier you the thicker your endometrial lining is and as we rapidly lose weight, the lining sheds. So we may not actually having a true period, just constant shedding. He put me on a good birth control and we are watching my Iron level.

[Miters36 0]

I definately feel your pain! I was sleeved March 15th and I have lost 60lbs since then. Since April I have been bleeding every other day,then stop, then 2 days, then stop for 3 days then bleed 1 day, you get hte picture. I never when or where it will strike and it is extremely irritating not to mention somwheat

unnerving! I also have had PCOS for over 20 years and haven't had a regular period ever in my life!

Thinking of seeing a GYN but don't really want to. Haven't bled for a few days now, maybe I get a reprieve. Was mostly wondering WHY my body is doing this now?? Thanks.

[Wheetsin 714]

That sounds pretty unusual. Weightloss AND surgery/traume (and things like medications, and stress of something like surgery, and... can mess with our cycles, but start/stop/start/stop/long time seems to be on the end of the weird spectrum.

When you say it started, then stopped, then started, etc. =-- do you mean started as in JUST started, and then JUST stopped? Or do you mean you bled for a few days, then a few weeks off...?

I react pretty strongly to different things and my body was all outta whack after my surgery (AGB) and for the first 3 months (I lost about 70 lbs in 3 mos). But not like that. I was starting late, and going longer (typically have a 3.5 day flow, but was seeing almost 7 straight, then about 2 days off, then bleed for another day).

You could always call your GYN and see what theym even though they're going to say "come in."

[Wheetsin 714]

BTW, pre-op I was 3 days, every 28 days like clockwork except for anomolies related to BCP and medications.

To this day (I'm over 5 years post-op) my anomolies continue. My cycle now varies +/- 2 days (26 - 31 instead of 28) and although I usually bleed for 3 days, it's sometimes 1 day, sometimes 9 days with one or two brief pauses of a day or two, etc.)

Dang it! Planning for convenient vacations was so much easier when I knew exactly what to expect.

[crosswind 134]

Ohhhh....I don't wanna go to the Uterus Doctor. I'll bet she tells me that it's completely normal. That's what they *always* say unless you're up for having it cut out or burnt up or whatever they do.

Thanks for all your reports. I was worried I was the only one.

[lucill35 73]

I am also living your story. Haven't had a period for years (depo-provera). One week after surgery, TA-DA, period for one week. One week off and another week later, another visit. Got another depo shot and had the month of march off. April, back again and still going on but nothing heavy or overly bothersome. No other problems though, no cramps, headaches, pains, nothing. I am due for an annual exam but can't get in until mid-July. Not thrilled but am chalking it up to years without a period and release of estrogen with my weight loss.

[crosswind 134]

I am also living your story. Haven't had a period for years (depo-provera). One week after surgery, TA-DA, period for one week. One week off and another week later, another visit. Got another depo shot and had the month of march off. April, back again and still going on but nothing heavy or overly bothersome. No other problems though, no cramps, headaches, pains, nothing. I am due for an annual exam but can't get in until mid-July. Not thrilled but am chalking it up to years without a period and release of estrogen with my weight loss.

Yep. That's what I think, Lucill. A Side Effect, if you will. On the other hand, estrogen is what gives us our dewy complexions, so we probably all have cheeks like ninth graders at the moment.

[Rev Me Up! 75]

Sounds like lots of people have weird periods after surgery. Mine have been primarily normal, except this last month came a week early. My question would be: is there any unusual pain associated with the bleeding?

If it continues for over a month, I would go see the OB/GYN. They can put you on a birth control pill short term to keep you regulated and make the periods lighter. I know it isn't pleasant , but you want to make sure there is no underlying problem.