Period Talk

[MrsFlipFlops 2]

I'm not looking for medical advice, I'm scheduling a doctor's appointment in the next couple days... but I'm wondering if anyone has experienced the same type thing. I hadn't gotten my period in two years. I got it really light in September. And then for the past three weeks I've had it. At first it was light, but for several days it's been very heavy. When I get periods, they're typically very heavy, so the heaviness I'm not so worried about.... it's the length of time in addition to the heaviness. I don't want to become anemic! :rolleyes2: Can anyone else relate to this type experience?

[*slim* 2]

It hasn't happened to me yet. I haven't gotten my first period since banding. I was and am afraid that when it starts, it will be just like you are talking about. My surgeon actually told me to expect something like that because of the influx of hormones. I hope your doctor gives you either something good to help or some good news about how to make it stop.

[Sunwyse 1]

I had something similar about 6 years ago, but that wasn't related to the band. I've heard quite a few women with PCOS get a quite heavy period not long after getting the band and then nothing for a while. Just the shake up to the system from the op I think. See your doctor, but also look at taking and Iron supplement for the time being.

[AngelicOne 0]

Mrs. F.F., this happened to me a couple years ago when I lost a significant amount of weight. After about the first 30lbs my period came on like yours and stayed on for about three weeks. As more weight came off I guess everything regulated itself because for the following months my period was like clock work. You could set your watch by it. Unfortunately, after awhile I started to gain the weight back. The closer I got back to my original weight the more screwed up my periods were until finally they just stopped again altogether. Hopefully if you continue losing everything will go back to normal, or at least your new "post band" normal. My endo has me on birth control pills now to help with this. That may be something to consider until your body is ready to regulate on its own. The benefit of the birth control is that your uterus will have an opportunity to shed its lining every month and you won't have to worry so much about the complications of endometrial hyperplasia. Also your periods will be shorter and lighter. Also you won't have to worry about getting preggo before you and your doctor are ready (Something that typically seems to occur in women of childbearing age who become pregnant after significant weight loss when they were previously unable to concieve). I'm getting banded today, YAY ME, so I may be out of touch for awhile but let us know how things turn out.

[AppleSmith1226 1]

Hey Flip ... girl I say dont worry! I went thru the same thing after I was banded. I had my period for damn near 4 weeks ... like 3 1/2 weeks. But I hadnt had a period in like 8 months prior to that so the first one that I got was extremely long. And I went to the GYN screaming my head off LOL! And she gave me the clear that I was fine. But it will stop. Ur body is just shedding all of that built up lining! Blessing to you! Apples!

[~Bridgette~ 0]

I really needed this thread right now. I have had my period for almost 2 weeks and was banded last Weds. It got worse afterwards (I think b/c of the blood thinners they gave me in the OR) but anyways... it doesn't look like it's ever gonna go away! If I still have it in a week, I'm planning to call the doc. I've had one every month for the last 3 months (since I started losing weight preop) so there shouldn't be but so much lining for it to shed...

[AppleSmith1226 1]

yeah ur right ... my longest period was the first one after surgery ... it didnt do it again afterwards... after 3 weeks I say go to the doc ... unless it really gets to u before then!

[MrsFlipFlops 2]

Angelic- congrats! I hope the surgery goes well! My sister got banded about a month ago and she is adjusting.

I'm glad to hear I'm not alone. I get so worked up when I start reading WebMD. I called my doctor today. I did notice it seemed to lighten today. She said that if it's still going on fast and furious on Wednesday, to come on in since that'll be three weeks from when it started. It seems like 3-4 weeks is really the cut off time of "Okay, people, time to see a doctor."

I went from being elated to at least HAVING a period, to being depressed because it was going on for so long! No wonder my husband says my emotions are like a roller coaster ride... "wheeeee!"

I've cut so many coupons for pads and tampons in the past few weeks, I'll be glad to have a break.

I was concerned about my Iron. If I go in on Wed I'm sure they'll take my blood. But the good thing is I'm not feeling any other "typical" symptoms of having low Iron.

Thanks for all your replies. Sometimes in the PCOS and band journey, I feel alone. I know I don't post a lot, but I read all your posts... It's nice to know I'm not alone.

[AppleSmith1226 1]

LoL I feel you flip! I was sooo happy to see my period back then ... And then "dun dun dun" I had went through a whole box of tampons and I was like what the "F" ... LOL I never go through a whole box of tampons in 1 cycle ... then it was box number 2. Cause I dont use pads. But anyway the bottom line is was that I was so happy 2 have a period and feel like a normal woman that I hadnt even noticed that I had been bleeding for over 2 weeks. But "And this too shall pass" and it did LOL. I have had a regular cycle since pre op thank god! And I am ovulating still have crappy PCOS symptoms like awful Hair growth and wretched dandruff but I am pressing on!

[MrsFlipFlops 2]

You're so right on about the feeling like a woman thing. Who knew that a period had so much power?!

[ThinDolphin3 3]

Wow I havent had the problems you ladies are describing but aunt flow showed up the day before my surgery on May 8th and then disappeared til July.:biggrin: Now she just finally decided to come back around on Sunday and it was heavy at first but now it's tapering off. I usually only have it for about 4 to 5 days (thats WHEN I have it):biggrin:. I am just wondering if it will ever get regular month after month instead of just showing up when she feels like it:cursing: and I would like to know that I can ovulate without having to take a pill that makes you gain weight because your woman parts dont want to work like they should (was on clomid for a while a few yrs ago and it made me gain alot of weight) it makes me feel like I'm not a proper woman because I cant have normal cycles like everyone else. I HATE PCOS AND INSULIN RESISTANCE!

BLESSINGS,

dolphin

[MrsFlipFlops 2]

I hear ya Dolphin! I think today is the last of my period, which is ultra exciting.

[justicenyce 0]

Hey ladies,

Just wanted to chime in. last year before i got the band I had a period that lasted weeks. My last period before that one was like a year and half prior. It lasted 2 weeks and was outta control. Cramps, lotta pain, and clotting. It was gross and dramatic. over the counter meds were a joke. But like someone mentioned its normal. your body has to shed the lining that was building up. Anywho now that im banded for a little over three months i have had a normal 4-5 day period on my own (i lost 25 pounds) i think i am about to start another lovely period.

Hang in there girls :smile2:

[*slim* 2]

Well, I finally got my first period since banding. I have had it for going on two weeks now. It was light at first. It has started to get heavy now. How long does this last? This is the first period I have had since maybe May? I know it has been a while, but this is crazy. I have already gone through a box of pads and half of a box of tampons (I have to use both). My husband is ready to shoot me because of the emotions. Tell me this is going to end soon. Please?!?!?!?!

[smsmithart 4]

Been there done that I hvae pcos and after I lost 30lbs my period lasted 3 weeks...now it a little better lasting about 7 to 10 days