A note for the women... Birth Control Warning!

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to write you all a quick note about birth control and being extra careful. Pre-op I was taking Ortho-Tricyclin Lo. I stopped the pill when I had surgery, and then went back on it after about 6 months being post-op. WELL about a three weeks ago, I found out that I was pregnant... which to say the least was quite a surprise. I hadn't missed a pill or anything. I hadn't decided what I wanted to do but about a week and a half ago, I had a misscarriage. I am doing fine since this was not planned anyway... I had a WLS support group meeting today, and spoke to the bariatric coordinator about the situation.... I just wanted to let you all know, to be really careful, if you are not already... the LOW levels of hormones, don't get absorbed properly with our bypass and often times OB-GYNs don't know that. The nurse said that the best option for us is to use the patch, the ring or use an IUD. The nurse also mentioned that since hormones are stored in fat, when we are losing weight, all those hormones are released and that can over power the hormones in the pill that stop you from ovulating. SO, I just thought I would let you all know about what I happened to me and what I found out... Please let me know if anyone has any questions... This was a bad situation for me to be in, and i just wanted to put the warning out there... Bridget 286/166/140

Wow Bridget! Sorry for all the emotional upheaval, but you seem to be in an okay place, so that's good. I don't have to worry too much about that particular birth control issue as I'm too old to start them. To add to your info, my periods are getting closer and closer together (the last one was just 21 days after the previous) and the first 2 days are REALLY heavy. My PCP told me on Wed. that it's probably related to all the estrogen that's been released from the fat cells going away. Isn't it amazing how losing weight can be almost harder on the body than carrying it? At least our body will re-regulate itself eventually. Oh.... also found out on Wed. that if your bp is now a lot lower because of the weight loss (mine is - 90s/50s), especially when combined with the beta-blocker I'm now taking) that if we get dehydrated it will affect us more since as you become dehyrdrated, less fluid in the blood lines, hence drop in bp, which is already low. So, be extra careful as we head into hot weather. Dawn 258/131/135

Hi Dawn, Thanks for the support... It hasn't been an easy couple of weeks... but I am doing pretty well...though I am glad I made it through it, and I now know to be MUCH more careful... I just can't believe something like that could happen, and even after specifically asking my OB about it, she still didn't think of reccomending me the patch. It astounds me that some Dr's can still be so oblivious to WLS patients needs... thanks again for the support. ~Bridget

Sorry for your loss Bridget. I too was told only the patch or an IUD. I have a liver condition that prevents me from taking any kind of hormones, so I had the copper IUD put in back in April. It's great aside from HEAVY HEAVY periods, but I'm told this gets better with time. But it's worked out great for me so far.

Clarissa, Just to let you know the flow does get better. I had an IUD put in several years ago, prior to surgery, and the flow slowly decreased. It is still heavier than before but much more manageable! Lynne 276/176/156

Hi Bridget- I just had a conversation about hormones with my PA this past week- and I thought it was also estrogen that we were getting rid of- as Im supposed to be peri-menopausal- and nothing has slowed down- in fact- before I was getting it every 28/30 days- now Im getting it ever 21/25 days..and I thought it was due to the reduction in estrogen- when in fact she told me- women gain testosterone and men gain estrogen when we gain weight- so in women- its testosterone thats leveling off! LOL And I know you didnt ask this- but God is it making me hornier than ever! LOL And on a more serious note- thank you for advising about the pills- I never really took pills and being single- didnt really need anything- but I was thinking about getting the patch (seasonale ) or the ring. Im sorry you had so much to deal with and thank you for sharing it with us! Donna

Hi, Bridget. First of all, sorry for the trouble and pain you had. I'm sure it wasn't easy. Just wanted to say that I had a Merina IUD put in 2 months after my surgery because I had heard that we won't absorb the pill like we should. I've never had children, so there was some cramping involved when they inserted the IUD. Hurt pretty bad, but as soon as he was done, it started to ease up. If you do this, take something with you because you will bleed after they do the procedure. Nobody mentioned this to me. My periods have gotten lighter and lighter each month since getting the IUD. I think they may stop all together soon. The last couple months I have just used a panty liner because they were so light. I like that. My monthly cramps are a little different though. Not necessarily worse or better, just different. It seems odd not to have to worry about birth control. Great, actually. I can leave this in for 5 years. I will still have an annual pap and they'll check to make sure the IUD is still in the proper place too. I can't feel the IUD at all either. Best wishes, Kina 220/125/120

Hello Bridget, I am sorry to hear of your situation. I just wanted to share that I had a similar situation happen. I had my surgery on August 29, 2005, which puts me about 9 months and have lost approx 120 lbs. However, I was on the OrthoEvra Patch. and had been since October, 2 months after surgery. On February 4th I found out I was pregnant. And on May 19, at 13 weeks pregnant I too miscarried. Now, I dont know if your aware. But they are pulling the patch from the markets as they are finding that women are having strokes. The following is a link to a site describing women who are suing J&J the maker of the OrthoEvra Patch. Its worth taking a moment to read. You can copy and paste it to your browser. Much Love Kimberly http://money.cnn.com/2005/07/25/news/fortune500/birth_control_patch/