Newbie - having surgery in 2 weeks
bearsmom82
Posts: 72 Member
Hello everyone,
New to this group (been with MFP since February 2012), and I'm scheduled to have my ovaries out in 2 weeks time. Would appreciate any advice! I'm in mid-forties, and currently only experiencing night sweats, which I can live with.
Knowing this surgery was scheduled, I've put a lot of work into losing weight and getting fit - I'm now running every morning before work, then going for a long walk after work. Probably about 20-30km a week running, plus the same distance walking. Average about 12,000 steps a day.
I'm happy with my current weight and clothing size - would like to stay here, and keep my tummy as flat as possible.
What can I expect for surgical menopause? My surgeon will be putting me on HRT.
What canI expect for changes to my body's ability to stay in shape and maintain weight?
Thanks ladies - I appreciate reading your wisdom and humour, and how gracefully you are dealing with this problem in your lives!
New to this group (been with MFP since February 2012), and I'm scheduled to have my ovaries out in 2 weeks time. Would appreciate any advice! I'm in mid-forties, and currently only experiencing night sweats, which I can live with.
Knowing this surgery was scheduled, I've put a lot of work into losing weight and getting fit - I'm now running every morning before work, then going for a long walk after work. Probably about 20-30km a week running, plus the same distance walking. Average about 12,000 steps a day.
I'm happy with my current weight and clothing size - would like to stay here, and keep my tummy as flat as possible.
What can I expect for surgical menopause? My surgeon will be putting me on HRT.
What canI expect for changes to my body's ability to stay in shape and maintain weight?
Thanks ladies - I appreciate reading your wisdom and humour, and how gracefully you are dealing with this problem in your lives!
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Replies
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I don't have any advice specific for surgical mentalpause, but here is thread on 'general' mental pause,
which your HRT might prevent or greatly reduce.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/637149-what-s-your-best-menopause-survival-tip
^YOUR experience, could be much different, as you will not be dealing with a continuously changing soup:frown: of competing hormones being released by retiring ovaries,
and will be on HRT, So you might do better than many ppl do, guess you will have to wait and see.
but, i just wanted to congratulate you on taking so so so many great steps to ensure the best possible transition to your post-surgery health! It sounds like you ARE doing a LOT of things right!! :drinker: I bet you WILL do pretty well!! BEST OF LUCK!!0 -
Hi
I had a total abdominal hysterectomy 13 weeks ago. Like you I tried to get as fit as possible before the op and believe me, you're doing the right thing. I was out of hospital in two days and I've recovered really well with no complications.
If you are having the horizontal bikini cut as I did, be prepared for the 'apron' of belly that appears after surgery. If you are careful with your diet it will go away to a great extent. I've been pleasantly surprised. I was determined not to put on weight after surgery especially since I'd just managed to lose about 10 pounds in the lead up. Remember, you won't be that mobile for a while so you don't need your usual amount of calories. Also beware that people buy you chocolates and visit bearing cakes etc! And don't try to 'exercise' too soon or you''ll set yourself back and have pelvic cramps like contractions!
As for HRT, I haven't needed it, but I'm older (51) and seem to be very lucky with only very, very mild flushes/night sweats, that really don't bother me. I read a lot about 'eating for menopause' and found I already eat many of the recommended natural oestrogens, so maybe that's helped.
Good luck with your surgery. I feel great now and I'm sure you will too :happy:
Alison0 -
Good luck with your surgery. Do you know what sort of op you are having? I had mine done vaginally 1 year ago. Fibre is very important after the op! I found good old All Bran and figs worked well for me. Listen to your doctor about what you can do after the op and do as you are told as you don't want to wreck your recovery. Fill up your freezer with nice healthy meals you only need to defrost and let other people clean for you. Walking is possible and beneficial both physically and mentally. I was put on HRT within 3 days. It sometimes takes a while to get one that suits you as everybody is different. Life after a hysterectomy is fine.:flowerforyou:0
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I think the ladies have offered some good advice. I had a complete Hysterectomy in 2010, a partial when I was in my 30s. I think you've done a grand thing for yourself by getting into shape and maintaining it in light of the surgery. I think I would talk to your doctor again about HRT and other natural alternatives. For myself, I could not take natural supplements because it reacted with my heart. I am about to try and talk to him again though and see if I can start scaling back on it. I take premarin but one of the side effects is weight gain and boy did I! I would be interested to read up on what foods would help, too. Best wishes!0
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thank you everyone for the good wishes and advice! I'll be having a laparoscopic operation, so no big incisions, and just the ovaries coming out - keeping all the other bits. I'll be sure to do more research on HRT - but the surgeon was quite emphatic that it would be a good idea given my age.
I'm a bit nervous going in, trying to figure out how to stay on track with calories, and wondering when i can resume running - but so good to know there's a group like you that i can rely on when I get overwhelmed.
Thanks :flowerforyou:0 -
REST after your surgery, the recovery time will be faster if you really take care those first two weeks. Once the ovarys are out you will have zero estrogen.. so the HRT is Important.. I use the BioIdential implanted pellets. They work great for me. No problems, no complaints. Take care :flowerforyou:0
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Hi Ladies,
well, the surgery was this past Thursday, spent a miserable few days on painkillers, hobbling around, and now I'm walking again - did 3.5k this morning, and planning another 3.5k after supper (surgeon gave the all-clear for walking and elliptical to my own comfort level, but no running, swimming or weights). Had a huge 5 lb weight gain the next day - I'm guessing fluid retention, but that is almost all gone now - but my poor little belly is swollen like a melon. Only thing that is comfortable is my running gear. How long does the swelling last? I'm just on advil now for the pain. No HRT - but surgeon kept me on birth control pills, and so far I feel quite the same as always.... Thanks again for your advice and good wishes.0 -
I had a TAH/BSO in March 2011( @33yrs old) and can't take HRT....Ummm for me it's much easier to gain weight and harder to get just a few pounds off. I've never been over weight but I was at the mid to upper level of what I let myself get to. So I am more watchful of the scale now. I didn't "tah tah" myself as many others are fond of... In the hospital as soon as they let me up I started walking. I mean I wasn't stupid but I sure didn't expect my husband to fetch and carry for weeks on end.
I guess my advice is to be vigilant and don't let the weight creep up on you.
**I'm happy to visit with anyone who has questions for a younger woman with no hormones trying to stay healthy...if it's more "embarrassing" type stuff I would rather message tho ** 0 -
Bearsmom...I am so glad to hear your surgery went well and you are back to your walking...just please, be careful and listen to your body. When you feel like you need to rest, by all means, REST. You just had surgery so be extra nice to yourself.
I had an abdominal hysterectomy 5 months ago (everything gone except cervix) and have been on hrt (transdermal patch bioidentical estrodial) for 4 months. Without the hrt, I am a crazy person.
Just remember, whenever you introduce hormones into your body, it can take a while (a couple of weeks at least) to level out. So be patient. And good luck, I hope you quickly find what works for you.
The famous "swelly belly" can linger for a while...but it will go away...... Laura0
