Will I plunge into menopause in the hospital? Advice, please!

I'm probably going to wind up with a TAH this Friday, and it never occurred to me, in my panic-stricken paralysis with the surgeon, to ask how they plan to ease my transition into menopause once the ovaries are gone.
I had a VERY hard post partum period with my first kid -- panic, no appetite, weird thoughts--and want to avoid any more abrubt hormonal shifts. What can I expect??? I am sitting here at work, typing on this site when of course I should be working, but I can think of nothing else and feel like throwing UP. please help me, sisters.

Hi, I think it will take a couple weeks before you feel too much of a change at least that is what happen to me, Of course you mite start with hot flashes, hopefully they will do a test before your surgery to find out your numbers or your level of estradoil, I have read that helps with replacing them it's like a starting spot. And your dr. mite give you hormones the day of your surgery so it is not so hard on your system when it starts losing the hormones. Try not to worry, stress does not help your hormones I think it effects cortisol... And if you can talk to your dr. about how your feeling maybe he can answer your questions and you can have some peace...

thank you! any more advice out there?

Within 48 hours you are physically in menopause. Well straight away really. But whilst there are changes and I am still struggling with it all I am not finding menopause to be something to be too afraid of like some sort of sleeping Monster. Try to take a wait and see attitude and this site has so much info and support in that area. Good luck with it all.

Hi - On 8/11 I had a full hyst. I am 43 years old and wondered also if I would feel different with out my overies. I have a few hot flashes but nothing I can't handle. Good luck and I wish you well during your surgery and recovery.

thank you muffy cat. i can't begin to express how grateful I am for your response.

I had my BSO done yesterday, I too am wondering when it's going to 'hit' me.

I'll keep you posted!

Good luck girl!

I think we just need to stay happy and motivated..

hiya, I had my last ovary removed 7 weeks ago. I was very worried about depression etc as I have suffered in the past. I found I was a bit sooky and would cry at the most stupid things. Can u belive I actually cried because the box of gloves was empty? Anyway I found I wasnt feeling depressed as such, just emotinal. I have found that in the last few weeks I have had some hot flushes etc but nothing really bad as a result. I do find im feeling emotinaly stronger and actually so much better in my self. Im taking hrt ( my dr started me on day 4 post op on premarin) and my dr thinks that Im finally getting my hormones on an even keel, the first time in years. So all I can say is stay positive and you might be supprised, I know I was
good luck and take care!

thanks, grumpybum.
sooky? is that a british word? i like it!

I had my surgery 5 weeks ago and was not given hormones and have had few symptoms. We have stores of estrogen, which I have read could last up to 3 months.