birth control question

Hi - I am having surgery in 2 weeks, and was wondering if anyone had any experience with taking or not taking birth control pills. My gastric bypass seminar instructed us that we must have proof of being on birth control to ensure we won't get pregnant for awhile after the surgery. However at my preop, the anesthesiologist said I should not take the pills because of blood clots. My surgeon did not have an answer when I asked him about this. Any thoughts?

I was told my best options were the Nuva ring and the Depo shot. I'm using the depo shot and haven't had any problems. Good luck!!

Actually, with the gastric bypass you will experience malabsorption of everything that you put in your mouth - including meds. That's why docs don't recommend the pill after bypass. I was on the Depo shot for a year. I have been off Depo did to *me*. So, choose your birth control options very carefully. Take care, Kristen

Thanks so much for your help. This is one area I'm not real savvy with! I was actually only going to take the pill until my surgery date, to delay my period so I won't have it on my surgery date. As my cycle is going now, I will be on it on my surgery date, and just don't want to deal with being on my period while having the surgery! Did anyone else experience this? Thanks for your help!!

Whoops - looks like my original post got messed up. Regarding Depo, what I meant to write was that I was on Depo for a year. Then I went off a year and a half ago - my cycle still hasn't started again. I am now on my second round of Provera (hormone replacement therapy), which of course has risks. So, really press your GYN for information regarding Depo before you commit. Just MHO. Regarding your period - you *will* have it in the hospital. Well, it is highly likely you will have it. My cycle ended two days before surgery, and I had it again in the hospital. It is because surgery - any surgery - throws your body off balance. We have seen menopausal women have a cycle while in the hospital. Don't worry, if you have nursing staff that routinely work bariatrics, they know, so don't be embarrassed. HTH, Kristen

I used the Depo shot for a few months post op then eventually went to the Seasonel BC pill.