Menopause

[Naughty Glitter Goddess 645]

I’m one of those lucky ladies with early onset menopause. I’ve been experiencing a variety of symptoms since last October and am currently managing without any hormone replacement therapy. How have your menopause symptoms been effected since surgery? I have lost about 25 lbs preop and have definitely noticed a decrease in some of my symptoms. Most noticeably: migraines (which I never had before menopause), severity of bleeding, general fatigue

I’m expecting that my symptoms will improve with weight loss as the inflammation in my entire body will be greatly improved. But, I think I’m looking for some encouragement, ladies! It’s been an eye opening experience to say the least; a wild ride I was not ready for!

[Sosewsue61 3,185]

The surgery actually does a number on hormones for some ladies, as it disrupts them during the healing. Some get crazy periods, heavier, more frequent, etc - just beware of that. Fat mimics estrogen and as we lose weight it can change the course, that is why some ladies with PCOS that can't conceive get the surgery to correct it.

[CrankyMagpie 509]

Just seconding Sosewsue61's comment: I've been told (by nutrition professionals, if not actual doctors) that hormones get stored in small quantities within our fat, and losing a lot of fat quickly can do a real number on our hormonal systems because they're all released at once. It's a little unpredictable. For me, in my early 30s, on a low-fat Keto plan, that looked like some skipped periods, some longer-than-average periods, and a few extra cramps--and I'm ready for that again in my late 30s, after the VSG. I don't know what that would look like for me on menopause, or for anyone else, though.

The one reassuring thing I can say is that it's temporary. Your body adjusts. The really rapid weight loss tapers off, and you go back to some kind of homeostasis. (I don't want to say "you go back to normal," because it's generally a new and better normal, right? Like you said, there's less inflammation when you weigh less, and that has positive impacts for every body system.)

[Frustr8 7,886]

One lady on here stated she thought she was well into perimenopause, after her surgery she went back to heavy 5 day periods for 6 months before things settled down. Said she had been ready to go into "old ladie-dom" before those hormones went into a last "power surge",

[Sanders001 10]

I had a mommy make-over (152 lbs 10 years after lap-band) and 6 months later started gaining weight really fast (gained 60 lbs within 4 months which is why I’m back on the Bariactric site), got tested and I was IN menopause at 48. I read that surgery can push you in to it. I having a revision done on Tuesday and I’m scared to death it won’t work as well thanks to the hormone/surgery thing.

[Sanders001 10]

Sorry that wasn’t encouraging but more of a “your not alone” comment. Truth is everything WILL be okay and we will look fabulous no matter what that hag Mother Nature throws at us :)

[Frustr8 7,886]

Remember my Sisters ; Karma, Menopause and Mother Nature, all 3, Are A Female Dog!🐶

[pvc 0]

Regain

[Frustr8 7,886]

Don't regain, smile, believe in yourself, maintain and sustain. Life is a funny old thing after all!

[lifeasfaith 48]

I’m one of those lucky ladies with early onset menopause. I’ve been experiencing a variety of symptoms since last October and am currently managing without any hormone replacement therapy. How have your menopause symptoms been effected since surgery? I have lost about 25 lbs preop and have definitely noticed a decrease in some of my symptoms. Most noticeably: Migraines (which I never had before menopause), severity of bleeding, general fatigue

I’m expecting that my symptoms will improve with weight loss as the inflammation in my entire body will be greatly improved. But, I think I’m looking for some encouragement, ladies! It’s been an eye opening experience to say the least; a wild ride I was not ready for!

I was thrown into instant medical menopause with the removal of my one remaining ovary (twisted and removed in an emergency surgery and my other was removed ten years earlier under the same circumstances). I have never had a single menopausal symptom and it's been over 3 years now.

Sent from my moto e5 (XT1920DL) using BariatricPal mobile app

[Frustr8 7,886]

You are one blessed individual, for every one of you there is a Stormin' Norma, Weeping Wilda, Screaming Sarah, Foul-tempered France's and Bewildered Belinda all saying WTF just happened to me? Do you remember Edith Bunker telling Archie she was going "through the change" and he told her to hurry up because he didn't have the time for this? You drew a dressage mare but most of us get a Bucking Bronco which we're gonna have to ride bareback and try not to get thrown!

[Naughty Glitter Goddess 645]

So, just to update, it's now been 5 mo since surgery and things are looking very differently! I've lost 100lbs, I'm much more active and my menopause symptoms are mostly gone. My period has regulated, the heavy bleeding is gone and I've only had 1 Migraine that was very mild. My OB/GYN was all set to do a hormonal IUD but we decided against it now that things have changed so much. Not to say that I'm no longer in menopause but it's looking more like a gradual transition now. It was a wild ride for a while!