Birth control

I did a search but the responses I got were a bit old. Ladies (and husbands), what did your surgeon say about the birth control pill post-op? Will it absorb?

No issues with BCP post-op. It is, however, very wise to double up on birth control methods post-op because your hormones will be all weird and you might be more likely to get pregnant. So if you're relying on the pill you might want to add in a barrier method as well like condoms.

I have heard the same thing. There arw so many hormonal changes post op.

Great point, thanks!

It's all rather annoying. My nurse told me that women in the program are required to be on birth control. I am 99% infertile, and went through years of fertility treatments etc.

I also have a history of blood clots, so I'd rather just not.

I just spoke to the bariatric pharmacist and it looks like I'll be sleeved so I'll find out more at my next appointment.

I don't know if it's urban legend or not, but I've definitely read stories of women who are infertile, lose weight, and BAM, pregnant 6 months post-op. It's recommended that we wait for 12-18 months post-op to get pregnant, so having some sort of birth control would be good. Maybe a copper IUD if hormonal methods like BCP aren't an option? (I have a tubal so.. it's not so much an issue for me!)

My doctor confirmed this. When I told him at a check-up that I was pregnant, he told me I was actually the third pregnancy announcement he'd had THAT DAY!

With a history of blood clots you will need a birth control method that does not contain estrogen. Any of the IUDs would be great options. This is a great resource for comparing methods: http://www.arhp.org/methodmatch/

With the sleeve, the stomach still works as it always has, so birth control should work as it always has. The only thing you must be careful about is NSAIDS, for they can damage your stomach (as they can with any human).

I skipped the pill after surgery, and never got pregnant. Worked for me.

I have only one Fallopian tube and it is severely blocked, so there will be no surprises here :) And yet they want me taking something.

I actually had a pulmonary embolism because of hormonal birth control, the NuvaRing. I started because of the bariatric program, and loved it. Alas, it was too good to be true. I nearly died. But yes I can do progesterone pills or an IUD (they freak me out!).

Grim, what's your secret? You've gotta bottle it and sell it. :p