Problems with losing 100 or more pounds in the first 5 months

[WL WARRIOR 690]

I lost 103 pounds after the first five months after surgery and hit goal of 140 pounds lost at 7.5 months post op. While this may seem fast, it was originally what I set out to do from the beginning. There was willpower involved, of course, and I never ate unless I was hungry. My eating plan was under the supervision of my doctor and I stuck strictly to the rules 99% of the time.

Nobody informed me that problems could occur when losing weight at this rate. I had heard others mention that you get more loose skin when losing this quickly, but I don't believe that to be true. Most post ops develop loose skin no matter what rate they lose and the body adjusts once you his maintenance. So, it all evens out over time.

My issue with this rate of weight loss is what it does to your hormones. I'm beginning to go through menopause at age 38. The hot flashes and skin blotches are nothing compared to the mood swings. The medication available to help correct the issue is full of side effects, with the number one being WEIGHT GAIN. I've pretty much decided against it. I just wish that I was made aware that this could happen so that I could've been proactive.

I want to hear from others that have lost this quickly and their experience.

[maggie409 765]

Wow I have never heard of that. A new one to me. I'm already done with menopause so I should be good!

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I didn't know about it either but I wonder if it is temporary. Fat stores estrogen. ..you just released a lot of it , maybe it will stabilize in time?

[Liza001 10]

Do you get excercise in? I heard that is wonderful for menopause and it raises the serotonin.

[padremama 101]

All I can say is Sorry and good for you for posting for others.

[WL WARRIOR 690]

Yes, I get exercise everyday for about an hour and stay very active. I'm well aware that exercise is suppose to help release endorphins and serotonin, but I don't see how is going to bring my period back. This problem could resolve itself, but it has stayed the same for the past six months.

[padremama 101]

I was 40 when I started menopause. I think I was about 60 pounds overweight then. Now I am trying to remember what I weighed and had I lost weight.

[WL WARRIOR 690]

I just want to make a quick update to my post. Last week, I emailed Dr. Weiner (reputable bariatric surgeon, known worldwide as a leader in bariatric surgery) and he told me that my problem is quite rare. He couldn't recall any of his patients having the same issues.

I'm a little bummed about never getting pregnant again. One of the reasons I underwent surgery was so that I could have a healthy pregnancy. My first one was high risk and he was born two months early after I started experiencing heart failure. I knew the only way I could ever have a second child successfully was to lose a lot of weight so that my heart wouldn't have to work so hard. Now that my heart is in good enough condition to tolerate a pregnancy, I can't do it because of this early menopause problem. I've been going back and forth with deciding whether to take hormone pills. I'd like to be this weight for awhile longer since I've worked so hard to get to 130 pounds.

[jess9395 5,448]

Wow I'm so sorry! I lost about the Rate you did but had already gone through an pretty early menopause (I was 43) the year before surgery.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

Dr Weiner of Frankfurt Germany? He did my original band in 2001.

I went through menopause young - mid 40s. Never given a reason but I attribute it to extreme stress. My doc said she had a woman under 30 go into menopause for no apparent reason so I guess it happens. Who knows for sure the"why"? It made me sad when it happened to me too, I am sorry you have this experience.