Birth control

The secret is, you really have to concentrate.

Do make sure you follow their recommendation. As others said, something about being postop can make folks super fertile. I've seen a bunch of people end up with a little one when they swore it wasn't possible.

Let's be safe out there.

I was told to stop taking the pill one month before surgery through one month after surgery (and use a barrier method of birth control during that time). One month after surgery I resumed taking the pill.

I am in an infertility boat with you. But strange things happen to our bodies during the "honeymoon" period after weight loss surgery. Like you I am not a fan of the pill for unrelated health issues. So we optied for a abstinence right now. It isn't fun but for a few months it is worth it. When my weight is back into the normal range we will look at the pill again. Best of luck to you.

I got a birth control progesterone-only implant a few weeks before surgery. Two years later and it needs to be replaced, but it worked fine until the mentioned hormone-flood hit. Hoo boy, I may have gone crazy! I then went on oral progesterone in addition to the implant, and tolerated it fine 2-3 weeks post-op.

You get flooded with estrogen during the rapid weight loss phase, as fat stores estrogens and xenoestrogenic substances. Might be good to discuss a back-up plan with the gynecologist in advance.

My story is a little different. I thought I had gone through menopause. I hadn't had a period in over a year and had gone through hot flashes--the whole nine yards. Then I had my duodenal switch. Three months after my surgery, I started having periods again. I went to my doctor and he ran some tests. It seems that the rapid weight loss from my surgery reversed my menopause. All my friends are period free and enjoying never having to see Aunt Flo again. Me? She not only came to visit, she liked it so much she decided to stay awhile. PLUS--we have to be very careful. Pregnancy is still an option for us.

Yep. I have a Mirena IUD, and haven't had periods for over 10 years thanks to it. A couple of weeks ago, my body decided to remember that it's a functioning female body... I'm assuming I have the weight loss to thank. (NOT). Luckily, hubby had a vastectomy, so we're doubly protected, because I have ZERO desire to become a new mother at 47 when I'm just about to launch my college-aged daughter and get the house back to myself!! LOL.

Not a urban legend. I worked in an OB GYN practice as a case manager, a weight loss of just 15% can trigger ovulation.

I went off BCP's because my Dr assured me that I was surely menopausal and refused to continue to prescribe them. I got pregnant at 48 after losing 80 pounds... Should have used the Dr for child support...

My aunt had RNY about 15-20 years ago in hopes of having another baby. Many years later at age 45 she got pregnant again. Huge surprise, obviously, especially since her kids are full siblings and 20 years apart.

I'm just glad, at the moment, that I'm not sexually active so I can avoid BCP a little bit longer.

I can only imagine what a shock that would be!

I would give almost anything to be able to become pregnant by losing weight. I will be 40 when I am able to try IVF, and that makes me nervous, but as my doc said, 40 and pregnant with a BMI of 30 feels better than 37 and pregnant with a BMI of 50.