Question:
Other Birth Control Options????
What other forms of birth control can we use after WLS. I am currently on the pill, and so far I haven't gotten pregnant. I am 8 months post RNY and down 115 lbs. I just read a post from a woman that got pregnant through the pill AND a vasectomy. Now I am scared. I have been on Estrostep for the last 4 years and have never had any problems with it. I know I can use condoms but I was looking for something else. Should I try the Shot, and IUD (scary), or what else is there? Any answers are appreciated — enjo4 (posted on June 20, 2001)
June 20, 2001
i am on the depoprovera shoot, one every 3 month and its just marvalous !
you should try it or at least talk to your pcp about it.
— carou1313
June 20, 2001
I've been on the shot for a while now, and although I've had some problems
getting my period back to normal after surgery (I'm 4 months post op) my
Dr. says that the effectiveness is still much better than the pill! I think
the best part about it is that you only have to worry about it once every
three months!
— DolcezzaVT
June 20, 2001
Beware of Depoprovera shot. I was on it for one year after my youngest
child was born and I gained 70 pounds. I believe that the shot was a huge
contributing factor to my needing to have WLS today. If you have had no
problems with the oral contreceptive you are currently on, I don't see any
reason why you would need to switch to anything else.
— Melissa A.
June 20, 2001
I am taking the Lunelle shot that is monthly and it works well. My periods
are normal. My emotions are not as controlled as they were with the pill
but that is the price I have to pay I guess
— Robin C.
June 20, 2001
Hi I just wanted to add that I have the IUD, and some people have some
misconseptions about it (just like WLS)BUT...I love it!! I dont have to
worry
about having to remind myself that my 3 months are up for another shot,
or have to worry about forgetting my pill or it failing me, or any
additional weight gain,or emotions going wild or anything like that!
It is not painful at all just a little uncomfortable like a papsmear.
After its in place, you dont feel it at all and neither does he.
AND....its good for 10 years...unless you want it out earlier
it just gets pulled out like a tampon. Well that is My experience,
I hope you find the right contraceptive for YOU!
CALIGIRL TAMTX
— CALIGIRL T.
June 20, 2001
The IUD has a great track record, except for the design of 2 manufactured
over 20 years ago. (They know what they did wrong and it will never be
repeated) I would love to get an IUD, but most times they will only use
them in womenwho have had a pregnancy. :( PS, it doesn't come out as easy
as a tampon, it is more difficult than that, so don't worry about it
slipping. You do have to check every month for the 'string' so you need to
be comfortable with your body. Id did my research. I am looking to get eh
Lunelle shot soon. ALso, expect to be approved soon a BC patch you wear one
a week for 3 weeks, one week off, for the shot-impaired. I am not sure I
buy the poster who got a "miracle" pregnancy, conception after
vasectomy is about 6 billion to 1 odds, _and_ she is on the pill?? _And_
"infertile"? Notice it was anonymous, and she didn't say anything
about her plans. YMMV
— M. A. B.
June 20, 2001
I personally have a problem with the IUD, since the day I found out how it
works, you see it works as follows: this device is inserted into your
uterine and life goes on, you actually do get pregnant, since conception
ocurrs in the fellopian tubes, the fertilized ovum travels to the uterine
where this device prevents it's implatation. So I veiw as auto-abortion,
but then again this is my personal view and respect anyones choice of birth
control.
— [Anonymous]
June 20, 2001
This is for the person who posted the following: "I am not sure I buy
the poster who got a "miracle" pregnancy, conception after
vasectomy is about 6 billion to 1 odds, _and_ she is on the pill?? _And_
"infertile"? Notice it was anonymous, and she didn't say anything
about her plans."
I am anonymous and will have to remain that way due to the opinions that
surround this issue. My plans are to terminate this pregnancy. I NEVER
called it a miracle. I never said I was infertile before (I have
children). My husband's vasectomy was done approximately 9 months ago and
is still not adequate (I continued on the pill because we had not yet
gotten a clearance from the doctor regarding his surgery.) He will be
undergoing a "redo" of his vasectomy. I took the pill exactly as
directed. I never missed a pill. I had been on it for over 10 months. I
had been on it many years before and after the birth of my children. I
never posted to get attention for myself; I posted to warn others out there
that the increase in fertility after weight loss is mind boggling. You may
continue to believe that I don't exist, or that I have made this up for
effect. How I only wish that were true. These have been the worse few
days of my life. I have many medical and personal issues that make my
decision to terminate this pregnancy the right choice for me and my family.
God & I are okay with this. I have to save my own life here. If you
chose to respond to this, I would appreciate respect for my decision and
prayers for whatever you believe appropriate. I am returning this child to
heaven. This was not a gift; it was imperfect medical science.
— [Anonymous]
June 20, 2001
I have been on Depo Provera on and off for the past 7 years,and I think
it's wonderful. Yes, I did gain some weight, but if you're having WLS,
maybe you can discuss the effects post-surgery with your GYN. I was told
by my GYN that Depo is a steroid which probably contributes to weight gain,
but if your calories are being restricted after surgery, it may not make a
difference. As far as the IUD, I've always been concerned with the
possibility of bacterials creeping up the string. Lastly, I'm somewhat
confused with why a woman would need to take the pill with the combination
of her partner having a vasectomy. Was it to control her period maybe? If
this is the case, she can look at it as truly a blessing.
— Kimberly D.
June 20, 2001
I have had an IUD since 1998 and it has been fine for me. I suffer from
infertility but I don't want an 'accident'. I go in once a year to have it
checked durning my normal yearly check up and that's it :)
~K
— lilmskitty
June 20, 2001
First off the IUD does not cause abortions! You do not conceive because the
device irritates the uterus lining tricking your body into thinking that
you are already pregnant. Second the IUD of today is NOTHING!! like the
IUD's in the 70's. They no longer have a braided fiber string that harbors
bacteria. If you are in a MONAGAMOUS relationship I would strongly suggest
an IUD. The IUD gets a bad rap. It reminds me of how some people see WLS.
Dana
— Dana N.
June 20, 2001
Hi Erin,
I have been on Depo Provera for 7 1/2 yrs. I love it but there are
drawbacks. In the first 11 months I was on it I gained 52 lbs. I had my
last shot b4 surgery and am scheduled at the beginning of July. I have
decided to go off of it. I do know that going off of the drug didn't mean
I'd lose weight. I figure after going thru surgery why would I stay on
something that potentially is keeping me heavy. I have mixed emotions about
this as I haven't had a period in 7 1/2 yrs, I'm not Cybil and have no PMS.
However, it's time for the weight to come off. Best of luck in whatever
your decision!
— Linda M.
June 20, 2001
Dear Anonymous,
You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this
difficult decision.
— georgiacarol
June 20, 2001
Dear anonymous, I, too will pray for you and your husband and especially
your precious little baby. How amazing that against all odds, this child
has come to you!! Being a mother to 5 children, I could not imagine
terminating a pregnancy. You mention that you are already a mother. Could
this child be any less special than your other children? I guess I have
always thought that women who had abortions were first time moms. Anyone
who felt the baby move inside them, or the joy at the first cry, couldn't
possible intentionally do harm to their child. Won't you always wonder what
he/she could have been? If nothing else, maybe this child could be placed
for adoption. This child needs to live! My last child was nothing but a
surprise for us. We thought we were finished having children. Our oldest
was 15. The thought of terminating that pregnancy NEVER entered our minds.
Like my other children, I saw him as truly a gift. He is 13 months old now,
and such a sweet baby. What a joy he has been. I had a child who died when
he was 3 1/2. This was devastating. You have been given such a treasure. I
would give anything, including my own life, if Nicholas could live. It
hurts me when I hear of mothers willingly giving up there children. Look
long and hard at your children and consider not having one of them....
— [Anonymous]
June 20, 2001
To Dana, I beleive the IUD you are referring to is the one that contains
hormone and needs to be changed yearly, the copper "T" is the one
I refered to. JAMA states it's action is not yet clearly understood. And
yes your body is tricked into believing it's pregnant because in many cases
it is, but due to the movement of the "T"the fertilized egg is
unable to embed in the uterine wall then you menstrate as if nothing maybe
just a little heavier. The manufactures don't like to talk about this,
because of the bad rap of the past, but they do talk about narrow the
chance of the sperm to reach the ovum which give the makers a more BC
acceptance, note the don't state that it eliminates conception. Regardless
I respect every woman who chooses this method.
— [Anonymous]
June 20, 2001
Sorry Erin. I wanted to respond to the original post your post mentioned,
but it was too far back and I couldn't access it. I'm in the same position
as you are in regard to not liking any of the options for birth control
post op, so I have no answer for you. To the original annon. I wanted to
say thank you for the warning to post ops about how important it is to
remember that fertile does increase after surgery. I've been infertile
since my marriage almost 22 years ago. I went through many years of
fertility treatments to no avail. I since adopted a daughter who is now
eight years old. To be pregnant now, at my age, and after all I've been
through, would be... I don't know, a cruel irony? Certainly not viewed as
a gift from God. I feel for your situation. To the responding annon. I
had formed in my head a response for you, but decided there wasn't enough
room on the internet to try and explain what you would not be open to
hearing. I will just say that if people do not have supportive things to
say they should not respond. This post was not a decussion about annon.'s
pregnancy or what she was going to decide to do about it, it was a warning
to us post ops who might not take our risk of unwanted pregnancies
seriously. I appreciated the post very much. My husband really didn't see
the need to start practicing birth control at this point. This post is
another thing to show him to prove that it is very serious. Best wishes to
you at this difficult time annon. Sherry
— sherry hedgecock
June 21, 2001
All I have to say is WOW!!! Who would have thought such a simple question
could cause such problems? I feel bad that some people don't take the time
to place themselves in others shoes before they judge.
— [Anonymous]
August 4, 2001
Its soo funny how some people think they know it all! And like to
bash others on their experiences, HOw do YOU know its NOT true?
Just like the supposed "miracle pregnancy" she never did say it
was a miracle and everyones situation is different and there is
always a First for everything. So for the original Anonymous poster
I believe you! Even though I know your not out to prove anything, but
I just wanted to let you know that and also to thank you for the warning
so that we can try to avoid the situation and not become the "1 in a
million"
And also the " know it all" said that she had done her research
on the IUD
and that she wishes she could have it.Says that it does not come out like a
tampon,
Well obviously, she doesnt have it and I do. So I think I know from
personal experience
I do want to clarify that it doesnt slip out EASILY like a tampon, but it
does come out
if you pull hard enough on the string because thats how I got pregnant with
my second child!
Whom was planned by the way! I just pulled on the string tightly and it
came out without any pain.
BUT of course DONT DO AS I DID, ALWAYS FOLLOW DOC'S ORDERS! And remember
like I said I had to pull very
tightly, but I did get another one after that pregnancy and its been in
place for almost 2 years already
and still working! Obviously! So that is MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, NOT JUST
RESEARCH!! Well Im off, cya and
dont forget to smile and always stand up for yourself!
— CALIGIRL T.
August 4, 2001
A suggestion would be to have you tubes tied. I don't know if the doctors
do them if you don't have children already. I had my tubal ligation after
the birth of my daughter. I already had a son. My gyn made me wait 30
days before she did it because the form I signed to have it done right
after birth of my daughter was never put in the records. (it was found
later). However, the 30 days is given to make sure you are
"sure" about your decision. Just like the type of wls I had, it
too is non reversible. So it's a decision you have to live with for life.
There are some, who believe in having all the babies in the world, there
are some who believe in having abortions. I'm going to make my own
political statement... I am PRO CHOICE. It's between the woman, the man,
and what they believe, because it's their decisions that they have to live
with. Now as far as my belief on abortion, etc... that's between me and my
hubby--don'tcha think that's how this should be too?
— Jennifer Lynn J.
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