When I had my surgery in 2007 I was still having a period and I noticed that during that time (pre, during & post) I had a dificult time eating. The band seemed tighter and I just assumed it was from the bloating and everything else that goes along with that time. But ...now I am in the menopausal period of my life and have not had my period in over 2 years however, like clockwork, once a month (or more) I experience the same tightness and can go 3-4 days without being able to keep anything down. Not even liquids. I don't feel bloated. Has anyone had this experience? Is menopause the culprit? If so, what is making this happen and are there any tricks to getting around or through these days any easier?

Hi WTC,

I am in the same boat as you. I don't get that TOM anymore (I had a hysterectomy in 2011) the way most younger ladies do, however I do have one ovary left and though it is in ovarian failure and doesn't ovulate any more what I have been told is that the simple fact that I have the organ still there, and this would apply to you triple if you still have all your organs, ovaries and uterus, that there are hormones that are emitted from the organs themselves even if they no longer function for fertility.

This is what leads our bodies (we wish it was true!) gracefully into the second phase of our lives menopause. So just like you once a month or so, my band will feel a bit tighter and sometimes depending on my Water in take and the foods I have chosen if they are high sodium I will get a bit bloated as well.

It's fairly normal, if you are uncomfortable it always a safe bet to say to speak with your doctor about it as well as others on the site.

Even when your periods stop, your body still does some cycling. I had a total hysterectomy 8 months before my lap band surgery, which pretty much put an end to all of it. But I had been post menopausal four years before that, and my body had still bounced around.

I can't help but think, if you can't keep anything down for 3-4 days during that time, you may be a bit too tight. Ongoing vomiting with the band is very dangerous, so I would suggest that you speak with your surgeon about it. If nothing else menopausal bothers you, other than the days you can't keep anything down, I would consider a slight un-fill to accommodate that time of the month.

I am sorry, I don't have a clue on this. I had my hysterectomy when I was 32. But for years following it, I would get the feeling of going into my time of the month. So, it kind of fits that you would get the :"feeling" of your tom. But, as mrsto said, you should check with your surgeon as to why you can't eat/drink during that time. Best wishes, Karen...aka..kll724