Thursday, 27th of August 2009 at 01:37:00 PMYesterday I spent the evening chatting with a friend of mine on the phone about her frustrations to lose weight. My friend had a hysterectomy two years ago, and although she has fully healed physically from the surgery she continues to heal emotionally. Before the surgery my friend was only slightly overweight, however being laid up after the surgery and finding comfort in food caused her to gain quite a bit of weight. In the last year she claims she has tried different diets to lose weight, but none of them seem to do any good. At this point she is concerned that managing weight loss after a hysterectomy comes with different challenges she may not have prepared for. In an effort to understand this better, last night after our phone call I did some research about how a hysterectomy can affect weight.
A hysterectomy can cause physical and emotional changes that can make managing weight and losing weight more difficult.
Not all women will have to face the reality of a hysterectomy, but it is something some will go through. Some have this as an elective surgery, but it is usually done as a result of a medical condition. It can be done as a result of cancer, or perhaps a patient has uncontrollable endometriosis and the best answer for them is to have the hysterectomy. There are many emotional and physical ramifications that come with a hysterectomy. Just one of these things would be possible and unexpected weight gain after the surgery.
Having a hysterectomy is a major surgery. This means there are going to be restrictions when you have gone through the procedure and are sent home to recuperate. As with anything like this, you are going to be put on bed rest and then limited activity for a while. This can be a prime time for you to put on weight. Some people lose appetite after surgery, but they generally get this back long before they can resume normal activities like exercise. You have to watch what you eat.
Your surgery is also going to limit your exercise program greatly for a period of time. It depends on your doctor’s recommendations and how well you heal. However, you can expect that your appetite and eating too much after surgery is not your only problem. If you exercise regularly, you are going to have a hard time lying still. You could lose some of the progress you have made as well. Ask your doctor about things you can do safely while healing – if there is anything at all. Also, take it easy when you get back to exercise, as you may not be in as good of shape as you were before the operation.
Hormones can play a small role in weight gain after hysterectomy, but does not have to be a huge factor if you understand what is going on. When a hysterectomy is performed, the body no longer produces estrogen on its own. That means it must be supplemented. This will not cause weight gain, but it can cause fluid retention. Also, progestin can cause appetite to rise, but most do not actually need to take this after a hysterectomy. Talk with the doctor if this is a concern.
Managing weight loss after a hysterectomy comes with some unique challenges both physically and emotionally, but that does not mean it is impossible. If you understand the changes that will happen to your body physically and mentally then you will be better able to prepare and do what you can to keep extra pounds from piling up post-surgery. Have an ongoing discussion with your doctor about your concerns and what you may be doing right and wrong. This can help you keep weight gain to a minimum and get the extra off once you are restored to full health.
Other Related Posts and Articles You May Find Interesting: “Top Reasons Why You Cannot Lose Weight“, “Menopause Diet“, “Hormone Replacement Therapy“, and “Weight Loss, Insulin Resistance and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome“.
The weight gain in your friend’s case may be from overeating, but there are many more women who have had hysterectomies and have gained substantial weight afterwards – and not from overeating. I’m one of those who has experienced a weight gain of 20 lbs since my hysterectomy. I work-out a minimum of 3 times per week and eat a health low-calorie diet. I have been doing this since March (my surgery was in January). I haven’t lost a single pound! I am unable to take HRT because of the threat of DVTs. Hormones play a major role in weight gain after hysterectomy. Scientific studies have been done to confirm this as well. Many women are looking for an answer. Instead of hearing that we are eating too much or we have to exercise more, maybe someone should be helping us figure out what will work to get our hormones back in balance naturally.
I am getting more depressed about my research regarding recovery after a hysterectomy. Could you please assist me on positive results after a hystectomy…are there any? Is there any women that have good stories to tell?
I am scared and not wanting to be over weight as I never have been in my life…It seems I can only find negative stories.
If you know of any positive feedback, please send it my way…
Sincerely,
Tracy :0)
I had a hysterectomy on 9/04/2009 & I feel very good. Before my surgery I surfed the net for information & feedback from women who had gone through the procedure. Most feedback was negative & so I was prepared for the worse. However, my surgery went well (the scar doesn’t look as bad as I thought it would) & the pain was minimal. The most discomfort I experienced was getting normal bowel movements. I asked my doctor about menopause & he informed me that since I would still have my ovaries, the surgery would not put me in to instant menopause. He also stated that it was possible for me to go through the process of menopause & not notice. (I’m hoping that happens). I have found myself questioning if I made the right decision but what’s done is done, so I try not to go down that road. I did find myself a little more emotional than normal. But I hear that’s normal. Good luck to you. Overall, it hasn’t been a bad experience. I wish you well.
I have to have a hysterectomy in January 2010, and I am really concerned about the weight gain issue that I have been reading about. I am already overweight especially in my stomach area because of an enlarged uterus. Before I knew my condition I went on a low carb diet and lost 15 pounds, but I started gaining the weight back again only after a few months. I’m going to search and search for the help that I need to lose weight, but I agree with the other lady,Ann that said she thinks it has alot to do with hormmone imbalance. It would really be nice to find a solution for this problem, and if I do I will let everyone know how I lost the weight. I’m an optomistic person and I don’t give up easily. Good luck to all of you in this situation.
Hi Karen, I am also going for a partial hysterectomy Jan 2010 also. I did read Susan Summers Book- Eat, Cheat , and Melt the fat away. This program is specifically for hormone imbalance and working on getting hormones back together. I worked the program for a few weeks and lost some weight before Thanksgiving. I just started working out, just to realize that my stomach is partially large due to my fibroids. I don’t want to gain weight either. Eating correctly may be the only solution. Try Susan Summers it’s a good program and you don’t starve.
Hi Karen & Kim, I too am having a hysterectomy this January (20th) I am concerned about gaining too much weight as I am a snacker and eat for the sake of it when I’m at home. I have found a few sites where people have lost weight after their op. It seems the advise is eat little and often also try to sleep as much as possible. I’m having robotic surgery and I will only be in hospital for one night. Everyone tells me I will feel so much better after my op and I’ll realise how run down I’ve been. I’m eating lots of red meat at the moment as my iron levels are low. Good luck with your op and let me know how you get on.
Hello Ladies, to all that are waiting for there surgery good luck I know everything will be fine. I had my full hysterectomy on the 17th of November, since then I have gained 11 lbs. It could be because the 1st 6 weeks you really are not able to work out like you want or pick uo anything over 20lbs. Then came the Holidays, eggnog…..I am hoping to loose the weight I have gained and am doing a lot of research on the web. The low-card diet always worked for me, but like Karen, the weight came back. Ladies, please do not be dicouraged because of the weight gain. It’s all about patience and for those who plan on taking meds after, your body needs to adjust with the meds. It will be trail and error. I am on a differnt dose of Premiran now, hopefully that will do the trick and getting my behind to the gym. I will keep you all posted as to what has worked for the weight. I have 3 months to try to loose 15lbs.
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Heal fast ladies and make sure you get the recommended rest
Thanks for that Paula, goog luck and let me know how you get on. I finished work today so I’ve got a couple of days to get sorted before my op. Don’t know why I’m bothering as my family will undo all my work while I’m in hospital! They are lovely, thoughtful and supportive but tidy they are not! As for the weight gain, If I had the choice of carrying on as I am or having the op and gaining a bit of weight, the op wins every time. By the time I’ve recovered it will be spring and a good time to think about weight. Thanks for your words of support.
Hi, ladies. I’m facing my total hysterectomy within the week, and starting a new job on February 1st. How is that for racing against the clock? Fortunately, I’m a perfect candidate for Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy. This cuts my recovery time down to 7 to 10 days! I’m going to fight the weight gain, but I’m thankful for this procedure. Twenty years of Endometriosis has taken it’s toll, and it’s time to take back my life! Good luck to those awaiting your time, and congrats to those who have taken that step. WOMAN POWER!!!!
Hi Ladies. I would like to offer everyone some encouragement. I had a partial hysterectomy last May. I was very much against the surgery, but found it necessary as my anemia was beginning to affect my heart due to the low oxygen levels in my blood. I have always been an advocate of regular exercise and feared that I was experiencing the early stages of heart disease. I had a LAVH with an overnight hospital stay. Recovery was short and I was back to normal in 2 weeks. I feel great today with more energy than I’ve had in years! I have not since gained excess weight due to the surgery, but I will be 50 next year, so naturally I expect keeping the weight off will start to become a challenge (which is why I am visiting this website). So hang in there ladies…managing weight may become a challenge, but I still believe the surgery is well worth it!
Hello Ladies. I am still recuperating from a Total Abdominal Hysterectomy, performed on the 19th Jan 2010. After suffering from fibroids and an enlarged uterus for 4 years, I finally agreed to surgery. I must admit that I put off this procedure after reading various accounts on the net. The surgery was far better than I expected. I was in hospital for 5 days, and just loved being looked after while resting. It will be 3 weeks post op tomorrow and I am feeling mentally bright, with the occasional emotional release. I am still resting for about 40 minutes in every hour, though slowly getting back to some house chores. Thank goodness for the support of my hubby!!!!! I have only lost 2 kg since op, though am hoping when all the swelling goes down that this will decrease:)
Hi Ladies
I too am 3 weeks post op today. During the first week I lost 7lb but now I’m eating better I have gained a couple of pounds. The last two days I’ve had the ‘munchies’ I’m even searching for left over Christmas chocolate, how sad is that? It’s a good job I can’t drive at the moment! I’m not busy so I’m snacking. I know this will result in weight gain but it’s hard to have willpower when I’m at home on my own. I’m still a bit bloated so I’m wearing loose clothing, this also doesn’t help. Never mind, I’ll get there, I don’t regret the sugery and I’m delighted it all went okay and I’m well. The weight is something I think I’ll need to work on when I’m more active.
Good luck to you all.
Jackie
Hello survivors! I finally had my SIXTH and final surgery for endometriosis at age 41 in Sept of 2008. I was left with one ovary that promptly quit working. I am on Bio-identical hormones, Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone and DHEA. I cannot get them regulated at all-my hormones are all over the board. I do a very limited diet (no sugar, few carbs and lots of veggies and alternative grains and organic meats) mostly for digestive issues. ANYWAY… I was a size 4 and within the last 3 months have gained enough weight to have my size 7’s be snug!! I cannot figure this out… I even started working out again… as I have not for many years…skinny but flabby – that was me. The weight gain is primarily my midsection… I feel bloated all of the time. I too, question whether the hysterctomy was a good idea…but, what’s done is done. I exchanged some problems for new one I suppose… I’d appreciate any advice that you all may have on how to combat the weight, hormone issues.
Hi
I am still in my recovery process, 3 weeks post op. I have felt absolutely fine. In the first 2 weeks i lost 5lb and have put 2lb of that back on. My stomach is still quite swollen though and hope this will eventually go down, the scar is very neat and in my bikini line.
I have started doing some walking on my tread mill now, 15 mins a day, and do feel better for it,although the more excersise you do the more your belly swells if you are still in the recovery process, so you need to be careful not to do too much too soon (I wish i could listen to my own advice!)
I am worried about the weight gain, as some of the stories you read are terrible, but so far so good!!!
Hello Ladies~
I am six weeks post laperoscopic hysterectomy. Although I have kept my ovaries, I wonder from time to time if h=it has put me into early menopause. Prior to my surgery I was having night sweats and had a few post op as well. I am only 36, so TOO young for this to happen naturally.
I am still wondering if I made the right choice. I have had a rather emotional few days, feeling sad about where I am at- hence what led me to this site. Although I have not gained much “weight” maybe just a few 3 or 4 pounds, that is not what bothers me the most. It is how things are fitting me. I am not that big, and have been in the same size for 4 or 5 years (after dropping a good 25 pounds). Suddenly post op, my pants are snug in the waist, my abdominal area is swollen and my pants are snug in the hips and thighs. It is just heart breaking! My eating habits have not changed, I am no more sedentary. I went back to work 7 days post op. I just am SO discouraged!
I just wonder if the pain and the excess bleeding would have been worth keeping up with rather than this blow to my self esteem. I refuse to buy new clothes- yet my clothes are snug. AGH, it is just so difficult.
Ladies,
After 20 years of endometriosis, I had a total hystorectomy 15 years ago. It did put me into immediate menopause, and since hormone therapy raised my blood pressure to 190 from 110, I refused to take hormones. I do take DHEA, white willow bark, and yam, which helps with hot flashes, and night sweats.
I have had not loss of sexual desire, but rather the relief of PMS and endless pain, left me free to finally have a life without worrying about symptoms.
However, I now find it extremely difficult to lose weight. I gained 20 pounds after my hysterectomy, even though I joined a gym within two months and did strenuous aerobic weight lifting. I finally lost 30 pounds by using Atkins induction, followed by a modified Atkins with less then 20 grams of carbs per day. I successfully kept the weight off for 13 years, but was at a 1000-1500 calorie a day diet, with restricted carbs and no sugar.
I am easily able to stay on very healthy diets and exercise frequently, but agree that it is almost impossible to lose weight after a hysterectomy. Good luck to all of you out there, I am glad I read this, because recently I began suspecting that the difficulty in weight loss might be connected.
I just started a low fat, low carb diet, but find I must keep it under 1200 calories a day!! I work out 5-6 hours a week as well.
I am losing inches slowly, but not major weight (2 pounds in a month). It is incouraging to know other women share the same saga!