Question:
My surgery was March 19-I've lost 86.5 pounds. What do I do about menopause?

I find myself on a plateau. I'm also having hot flashes and feeling like I'm freezing the rest of the time. Any suggestions? I also want to jump start my weight loss-any ideas? I've just ordered Real meals, anyone else?    — sharon G. (posted on October 30, 2002)


October 30, 2002
I went thru menopause preop due to hysterectomy. It does not interfere in any way with my postop life & weight loss. I use the Estroderm patch for estrogen replacement. The only time the hot flashes bothered me was when I was using pain meds postop. The meds brought on hot flashes & nite sweats terribly, but only when using pain meds. The rest of the time the Estroderm takes care of them.
   — Karla K.

October 30, 2002
What do you want to do about menopause? Hormone replacement can alleviate the symptoms of menopause, such as you are having. HRT may not have any beneficial effect insofar as heart disease is concerned, so you may not want to get involved with it. Also, there seem to be a lot of questions about taking progestin without estrogen (or is it vice versa?) but you should talk to your regular gynecologist. As to jumpstarting weight loss, there are a few things you can do: 1) exercise more, 2) drink LOTS of water, 3) cut carbos, 4) check to see that you are getting enough protein and enough calories (if you aren't, your body may think it is starving to death, and stop losing). Good luck to you.... Margie B
   — Marjorie B.

October 30, 2002
first, I'm curious if you're absolutely sure you're going thru menopause? The freezing could very well be from the loss of 86.5 pounds (congrats on that by the way!). I find myself getting cold now when no one else is. For the first time in my entire life I am sleeping with more than one blanket and wearing long sleeved sweaters in the house. It's awful and not awful at the same time. Hot flashes...well, I get those from eating too much fat or carbs in a meal - guess you might call it dumping, but by any name it's still a hot sweaty annoyance. I noticed you're only 45 and while many women do experience the change this young, many do not. I would highly suggest visiting your pcp and having tests done to determine your estrogen levels and see if you are in menopause and let him/her help you combat the symptoms. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 30, 2002
Hello, I work with a RN that swears by progesterone CREAM. She gets hers from swansonvitamins.com, you can also get it from a health food store. But she says swanson doesn't cost as much and you can order online or they will send you a catalog.
   — Tammy .

October 30, 2002
hiya. my ob-gyn explained that our fat cells process estrogen therefore as you lose weight until your body chemistry/hormones even out you may need an estrogen supplement. i am technically post-menopausal (at 34 because i had a hysterectomy at 29) but at 4 mos post op i had to change my hrt because i was getting the hot flashes/night sweats/acne/crabby/headaches...however estrogen increases migraines (if you're prone to them as i am) so i went on an hrt called: estratest - which is estrogen and testosterone. now tho, one year later (16 mos post op) i'm having the same hormonal fluctuations so luckily i see my doc next week. anyways, the point being, i would check in with my ob-gyn if i was you and see what he/she has to say. good luck! kate open rny 6-14-01 pre op: 268lbs goal: 135lbs current: 126lbs
   — jkb




Click Here to Return
×