Question:
Girls Only-What if my period start date is the same week of surgery?
The joys of being a girl! :) After waiting over 4 months to get a date, I didn't want period week to stop me, after the first day of surgery, I figured it wasn't a big deal since we are up walking around. Normally I would just take my B/C pills longer to delay it(2 more days of pills delays it 2 days etc..I tried it on my honeymoon and worked) however, my surgeon requires that we not be on B/C pills for a month prior to surgery-so that option is out of question. Has anyone else had this problem? Should I reschedule?? Please email me-I don't know what to do! Thank you much! — snowchick (posted on March 25, 2003)
March 24, 2003
Just go to the hospital prepared to deal with it. I was on my period the
day of surgery. Just be sure to use pads instead of tampons while in the
hospital. They are used to dealing with this. Probably will be more
embarrassing for you than the staff at the hospital. Just let your nurse
know and they will provide pads and underpads to keep things as clean as
possible. You might want to take some moistened personal wipes for your
use. I did the best I could trying to keep myself clean and presentable,
and those would have made life easier. I wouldn't have changed my date for
surgery for anything, especially my period, since it seemed to take forever
to get a date! Good luck!
— koogy
March 24, 2003
Lots of people are on their period when having surgery (or they start as a
result). Don't worry about it. The nurses will change a pad under you and
keep you clean. You could also get some of those feminine wipes that I
think Summer's Eve sells to feel fresher. Don't put surgery off because of
it! Good luck!
— SarahC
March 24, 2003
Hi there, I just thought I would let you know that most people that I speak
to get their period right after surgery, even if they are not due for it.
The stress of surgery on the body usually brings it on. I would suggest
bringing lots of "grannie panties" and your own pads. The ones
that the hospital gives you are ancient ones with straps (I couldn't even
figure out how to use them!). Good luck!
— JM B.
March 24, 2003
Have them put your IV in the hand or arm that you do not use for wiping or
changing pads. Take adhesive pads (the big ones with wings), the ones they
give you in the hospital will not stay in place without a belt. Trust me,
you do not want to wear a belt or anything else around your waist right
after surgery. Comfort is a must, so don't be afraid to ask for pain meds.
— Sue A.
March 24, 2003
I had my period two weeks before my surgery and the day of my surgery (an
hour after i woke up) i got it again. My surgeons nurse said almost every
women will be thrown into it because this surgery effects your hormones. I
have talked to at least a dozen women who this has happened to.
— Suzette T.
March 24, 2003
I started the day before my surgery while I was doing my pre-ops, totally
unprepared for it and at a hospital that did not have a maternity ward
therefore no pads - embarrased, yes, uncomfortable, oh yes - The hospital
dealt with it, I think one of the nurses had some at the nurses stations
and then the head nurse bought me some in the next day - I lived, I had the
surgery and I am okay. It's part of being a woman.
— [Deactivated Member]
March 24, 2003
Hey! I was scheduled to have surgery the same week I was due for my
period. My doctor let me take my BCP up until the day of the surgery. Be
sure to take pads with you and not tampons. I couldn't go (like a friend
of mine) without undies and I took them, too. It will be hard for the
first month or so after sugery to use tampons, so I used pads. It's not so
bad, really. Good luck to you in your journey.
— Daphine C.
March 25, 2003
i agree with everybody else as i started my period the day after surgery.
big granny panties large overnight pads with wings from always and i used
huggies diper wipes when i couldn't shower. i still had the catheder in .
the hospital pads dont have adhesive and there made for someone size 5
which we aren't YET. best wishes, and keep your date open distal bypass
11/12/02 -72lbs
— kimberly T.
March 25, 2003
Me, too, the red march started the day before surgery. No big deal, just
bring your own pads so that you don't have to use those scary giant pads!
Don't reschedule-- hospitals, MDs and nurses deal with this all the time.
You'll be fine!
— lizinPA
March 25, 2003
Hi! I know a lot of people say they start their periods because of the
surgery...well, I missed an entire month after my surgery. I was actually
due for mine the same day of my surgery, but it never came until a month
and a half later. So, at least you know it can go either way. I also
stopped my BC pills one month prior to surgery (which usually messes with
my cycle anyway)....so you might be lucky like me and get to miss out on a
month! Good luck!!!
— Teresa W.
March 25, 2003
I got my period the day after surgery. I hope this never happens to you.
But if you do get it, you will still go through surgery. It won't stop
them from doing it. Good Luck!!!!
— Regina C.
March 25, 2003
Not only did my period show up for my WLS, it was present again for my
reconstructive surgery. The only thing that made it bad was that before WLS
I was given a blood thinner so you can just imagine what it did to my
flow. It was not a problem either time and everything continued on
schedule.
— Pamela B.
March 25, 2003
I am one week postop and i started my period literally minutes before they
wheeled me into the operating room. They just gave me a pad to put between
my legs because you can't wear a tampon during surgery. It was no big deal.
After surgery I just put one in.
— Cami K.
March 25, 2003
Whatever you do don't postpone it ! I had to get off of my BPC before
surgery too. Which threw my whole cycle off and I didn't have a period for
2 months. You never know ,worse case scenario, they give you a pad as big
as a brick to put between your legs during surgery. Trust me your period
is the least of your worries post-op. Good luck:)!
— Kimmie C.
March 26, 2003
I started the very morning of my surgery, they gave me a pad to place
between my legs. I had really really big panties and just wore a pad. I
took some baby wipes, it helped to feel fresher. I do recommend telling
them to start the I.V in the hand you do not use, because that was a
problem for me...Good Luck on your surgery!!!!!!!!
— Wendy S.
March 26, 2003
Hi Tina - Please don't post-pone your surgery just because of your period!
They have seen it all in the hospital. I just had my surgery and had
started my cycle the day before surgery. At pre-admiting when they had me
change into the johnnie, I told the nurse I was on my period and she gave
me a pair of surgical panties (high fashion, I assure you, LOL) and a
sanitary pad. From there, once you are given your anesthesia, you'll not
know a thing until you are in your room. The nurses were great and
everything was fine. Let go of your modesty and just go for it. These are
just the facts of life, and doctors and nurses wouldn't go into the medical
field if they didn't want to deal with the nitty gritty of life. Best of
luck to you. Robin, RNY 3.13.03, 254/242/120 -11.5 lbs
— rebalspirit
March 27, 2003
My gyno put me on the patch. According to my surgon, I can wear it up until
I get ready to go into surgery. Once I'm back in my room, I can put it back
on.
— mellyhudel
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