will I ever be back to normal???

I had a TAH 8 months ago. At first the doc said I would have my "flat stomach" back in 6 weeks. Then he said 6 months. Well, it's been 8 months and my clothes still don't fit. I've gained weight mostly in my hips, bottom and thighs. This has made me very depressed. I've always been a good exerciser (weight training and cardio) and watch what I eat, so even if I don't lose any weight, I certainly should not be gaining it! I am 46 years old, and feel as if I've suddenly been plunged into looking and feeling middle aged. Something I've tried so hard to fight... lol

Besides the weight gain making me depressed, I constantly feel as if there is a cloud over me. I've always been an upbeat, optomistic person, and I feel as if I have to force myself to be happy. And, I'm not sleeping well at all. I toss and turn all night.

I've been on a bio identical estrogen only (estradiol). I just contacted a compounding pharmacy that opened up in Stockton, CA, and the pharacist said that I have the classic symptoms of lacking progesterone. Even though I don't have ovaries, I guess my body is still requiring it.

Has anyone out there been on a bio identical estrogen/pregesterone regimen? How did it work for you?

I am new to this site, and I want to thank you all for sharing your experiences. I'm finding this site to be helpful in knowing that I am not alone.

Hi MokaMic
Welcome to Hystersisters! I'm so sorry to hear you're still struggling with all of this so far out from your surgery. It sounds like you could possibly be helped by balancing your hormones and adding progesterone might be just the thing. I also have my ovaries and am taking bioidenticals, including estrogen and progesterone. I feel I need it. I'm doing well on what I'm taking now.
There are a lot of drs out there who feel you don't need it if you don't have your uterus. Mine was this way, but I told him from what I had read I felt I needed it and asked him if he would mind prescribing it for me and he said, not at all, he is willing to see if he could possibly be wrong.
There are several good articles in the Hormone Article List . There is one in particular that discusses Why you need progesterone after a hysterctomy .
Progesterone will often help the mood and also has helped many women be able to sleep. I hope you can try it and see if it is the answer to some of your struggles.
's, Rita

I am on 1mg of estradiol 1x a day and 1oomg capsule of progestrone 2x a day. My hormones are balanced and I feel gerat (besides cuff problems). But you sound like you need all hormones checked. You do not need to feel this way,it is fixable. If your hormones are not balanced you will gain weight and this weight is all most impossible to lose. Please ask for level testing,do not suffer. A good book to read is surgical menopause,it is very detailed and helped me. I still have severe insomnia,but I always have,supossed to have sllep study done end of month,if I can get cuff issues resolved. Also several supplements help me. I take a pure good quality multi vitamin,omega 3 fatty acid supplement and a magnesium/calcium supplement all from the site womentowomen.com,they have good articles there as well,check into. PM me if you need to.