Question:
Anyone still taking the Pill
My gynecologist "thinks" it's o.k. for me to continue taking the pill. When I called my surgeons office, the staff said that they usually just refer people to their gynecologist. I've seen people say here that the pill becomes less effective. I need some sound medical advice on this topic. Is there at point at which the pill does once again become effective? Should I switch to another method? Please only respond if your doctor has given you official medical advice on the topic or if you are a doctor or nurse or something. Thanks so much!!!!!! — jenpatalano (posted on October 1, 2003)
October 1, 2003
My surgeon, Anthony Terracina, believes the pills is correctly absorbed. He
feels it is a viable form of birth control for post ops.
— juvpd
October 1, 2003
I'm 13 months post op and have never stopped talking my birth control
pills. I take Orth Tri Cyclen and have never had a problem whatsoever and
am definetly not pregnant!! Plus, my doctor had said that he had never
heard of it being malabsorbed nor had any of his patients become pregnant
post op while on the pill if they were taking it correctly.
— Christie N.
October 1, 2003
Both my surgeon AND my OB/GYN said that the pill could no longer be relied
upon as a safe means of birth control. It might work fine, but then again,
it might not - so they basically said you have to find another means of
birth control. I know that there are women out there who have continued on
the pill and not gotten pregnant, but personally, I wouldn't want to risk
it.
— johanniter
October 1, 2003
I am 7 months post op,and I was never on the pill prior to WLS, but since
surgery both my surgeon and gynecologist agreed that the pill I take now (
DESOGEN ) is the most effective for me. And is not malabsobed, it seems to
be working fine thus far. I do make SURE i take it correctly, because I
have a fear of becoming pregnant before I reach my goal weight, and that
will take some time. Just remember to take it correctly, and if you feel
it may not be working for you, you might need to switch to a different
pill.
— izzy
October 1, 2003
I had OPEN RNY in July 2002 I wasn't on ANY birth-control. I started taking
ORTHO-TRYCICLEN in October 2002, I haven't had ANY problems. Being a
faithful reader of the board there are a very small percentage who do get
pregnant on "THE PILL". Currently at almost 15 months post-op I
do take my pills everyday.
— HelpMeRhonda !!
October 1, 2003
Both my Surgeon and OB/GYN doctor said that that the pill was fine for me
and that it would be absorbed. Currently I am at nine weeks out and have
not had a problem in that area.
— Andrea S.
October 1, 2003
Hi, I had a Rny about 2 1/2 years ago. I had been on oral contraceptives
for several years prior. I had no changes in my cycles or periods. Which
is a sure sign that I am getting absorption of the hormones in the pill.
But not everyone's body reacts the same.
— Jane L.
October 1, 2003
I believe the pills work fine. I think chemical substances react in our
system quickly (ie: alcohol) and may actually absorb more quickly than
before. My surgeon said the pill is perfectly safe to take. By the way...
the small percentage I've seen of posties that get pregnant on the pill are
no more than those that have never had surgery.
— Happy I.
October 1, 2003
Hi Jennifer- I don't know if you've talked to your surgeon or OB GYN about
this, but you will probably need to discontinue your birth control pills
for a time when you actually have WLS. Both my surgeon and OB GYN said
they increase blood clot risks. Because I use them for menstral
regulation, my OB GYN said we would wait until after WLS to see how I'm
doing, if the pill is still the best contraceptive and regulator for me.
Good Luck :o) Mea
— Mea A.
October 2, 2003
I specifically asked not only my surgeon but my GYN as well about
malabsorption and taking the pill. They both stated it should be ok to
continue on after my surgery (i've taken the pill for years) but neither
could really give me any specifics regarding the malabsortption! That is
not good enough for me, as I'll be the one pregnant! I had a proximal
(amount of intestine bypassed) RNY. So i've decided to use the Nuvaring
(instead of the pill) which is a silcone ring the size of a rubberband that
is inserted then removed 21 days later. I love it! I don't have to
remember to take a pill everyday. Instead I just mark my calendar as to
when it should be removed and within several days you'll have a cycle. I'm
not sure how, but it really doesn't work it's way out but stays put! You
ought to inquire about this to your GYN, mine gave me a sample to try to
see if I liked it prior to getting a prescription filled.
— Shelly R.
October 2, 2003
I have a ways to go before I deal with this but why not talk to you GYN
about the new BC Patch? You change it weekly and I would think it might be
a better option. I figure that is what I will do when my time comes.
Good Luck!
— Tiffany B.
October 2, 2003
Be careful with the BC patch, Ortho Evra.
It looses its effectiveness for those who weigh over 185 pounds.
— Debbie P.
October 2, 2003
I took the pill after my surgery and didn't have any problems with it. I
switched to the patch for convenience mostly and because I didn't know it
lost its effectiveness for women over @190 pounds and guess what...I'm
pregnant!! Not that I mind... Talk to your GYN but I think you should be
fine on the pill. Hope this helps. God bless!
— Rebekah A.
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