[cbmare]

I had my first hysterectomy in 1988. I lost quite a bit of weight after it. However, in 1994, they had to go back in and remove my ovary. (I call that one my second hysterectomy). I was on hormone replacement therapy for a while. I have to say it did help with the mood swings and hot flashes. I went off of it after more and more reports came out and continue come out with the news of the bad long term affects of that stuff. Yes, I still have hot flashes, but they are no where NEAR what I had before.

I put on weight with that stuff and it's just about impossible to get rid of it. I put on almost 15 lbs in the first month with that stuff. I know much of my weight now is related to stuffing my face, which I've been addressing. However, the weight is coming off so slowly. Pre 2nd surgery, my current eating habits would have been resulted in losing about 5 lbs/month. Now it's about 1/2 lb/week. Granted, it's slow and safe, but it is so frustrating.

I'm going to keep plugging away at my 1/2 lb/wk. After all, those 1/2 lbs become a lb and those become lbs.

Oh, on a side note. After my 2nd one, I noticed that the hair under my arms and on my legs pretty much quit growing. I think I've found out where it went. I don't have fat around my middle. It's a big hairball!

[Happy Canuk]

Hi there. Yes, menopause makes it hard to lose weight in some people. The metabolism slows down to a crawl, it seems. If you exercise, that will help. I am like you. It seems like the weight just won't budge. Estrogen saved me. I am not at all sorry I took it. I didn't need Progestrone because I had a hysterectomy years ago, leaving the ovaries in tact. I want to live my live now, and those hot flushes at night were just too much with out. Anyway, I have not taken it now for two or three years and I have made it to the other side lol.

Black Cohash (blue is better if you can find it) works for menopausal symptoms in some people as well.

[cbmare]

Thanks, Anne. I'm glad to know I'm not alone.

[Tina]

Hang in there. All the hot flash symptoms will go away. I've been off Premarin for 9 months now. Once in a great while I'll get a flash, but that's it.

I exercise and eat low fat but the weight just will not come off.
After losing a pet, four weeks ago, I all but quit eating for a week. I lost 6 pounds. Guess what-----they found me.

Just keep on. You might try to vary your type of exercises.
Tina

[amb_lyn]

Do you think the weight was from the surgery itself, eating habits changed, what do you think? I am almost 30 and am contemplating having a hyst due to my many female issues. It's been recommended by 3 different docs.. I go back at the end of Jan to discuss it yet again with my GYN. I have lost almost 30 pounds and am planning on losing another 20 by spring. I would hate to gain it all back.. I would have a total hyst, meaning i'd have to be on HRT for quite awhile. Looking for some advice from those who have been there. Thanks so much in advance.

[aleka]

Hi,
I'm in my late 50's and had a hysterectomy when I was 45. Both of my ovaries were removed. I was on Premarin for 11 yrs and it was difficult to lose weight, but I did manage to lose about 35 lbs. After all the controversy about Premarin, I went off it and I've gained about 20 lbs. in the 2 yrs. I've been off it. No matter how little I eat I cannot lose weight. My Dr. told me that the reason I've gained weight is from coming off of Premarin and she said to exercise..exercise..exercise. A friend of mine who is going through menopause naturally, talked with her Dr. Her Dr. recommended that she try eating 4-5 small meals a day, stop eating 2-3 hrs. before bedtime, and exercise..exercise..exercise.
I am glad to see I am not alone.

[QuilterInVA]

If you don't eat enough you will also gain weight. Exercise is the key. In reading "YOU on a Diet" I found it interesting that Dr. Oz said if we continue to eat exactly the same foods in the same amounts, after 35 we will gain weight if you don't cut 200-400 calories a day for every 10 years past 35. The key is EXERCISE. I was able to maintain my weight loss but I had to learn to cut back on carbs, eat more protein and exercise 6 days a week - surprisingly only 30 minutes a day does the trick and it is easy. I go to Curves or walk. I'm now 65.

It is possible to lose after hysterectomy, and it it is slow it is better than watching the scale go up because we gave up. Hang in there...YOU CAN DO IT!

[GirlyGirlSebas]

During perimenopause and since my total hysterectomy in October 2005, I've put on a total of 80 pounds...this is a timeframe of about 4 years. I am on bioidentical hormones that include estrogen and progesterone. Yes, the weight comes off very very slowly. I do get extremely discouraged, but what is the option? Keep gaining? No way!