contraceptive question?

About 8 months prior to my gbp surgery my dr. had taken me off of the pill.  I had been on the pill for years, but because my bp at the time was uncontrolable I had to go off of it.  Now with everything returning to normal, in december at my yearly check up I asked to go back on the pill.  The doctor explained to me that she didn't feel that the pill would be the best answer for me now that I had my gsb and she suggested that I use the nuva ring.  Well has anyone tried this stupid gasket thing, what a joke.  In December I used it the first day of my period, like I was told, at first I thought ,once the stupid this was inplace, this is great, my period was light and no cramps.  Well 3 weeks later I'm still flowing.  I've never had this problem on the pill, no spotting nothing and went on about my life.   Not now.  What do you guys use and has anyone had issues with taking the pill after gbs?  I am so beyond frustated!!!!

I haven't used the nuva ring.  I've heard that you can't have the pill for like three mos or something like that after surgery but then you are cleared for it.  I'm not sure about the absorption with answers to the effectiveness.  I would first talk to the ob/gyn about the flow problem - obviously something is not right (unless this can happen the first time using it?  If so...yuck) and then talk to your surgeon about pills and what is safe and effective for wls patients.  Once you have your surgeons answer, go back to the gyno and discuss your options with them. If you don't like the answer you are getting from them, you could search for a new one - of course we all know how fun that can be.

Pam

I'm not sure I see the connection between having gastric bypass and the pill.  Did you ask for an explanation?

I had gastric bypass in October 2006 and have been taking Loestrin for about a year, give or take a couple months.  No problems whatsoever. 

Lisa

my gyn says that it's normal to spot, but this is ridculus.  Next week it should be my normal cycle again and the darn thing never left.  My gyn felt that because of the malabsorbtion rate that the pill would not be my best choice and could pose to be less effective.  Less effective is not an option since I will be starting my nursing clinicals in the summer and something I just don't want to worry about now.  I had a scare a few months back and went to the pharmacy to get the plan B pill just as a precaution and the pharmacist said that it wasn't worth me buying it because of my gbp, that it wouldn't be effective, that's when I started to be concerned about the pill.

I can't speak from personal experience but my sister loves the nuva ring and does not have heavy bleeding.  Maybe you just need to give it some time.

I was on the nuva ring... hated it... caused 2 yeast infections... bit Jeremy 4 times during sex... would try to pop out when I would do certain workouts at the gym... caused massive weight gain after month 3... started to cause really strange periods etc... my OBGYN pulled me off it... I did fine on the depo preva shot... for about 9 months no weight gain issues... but after that it caused me to stop losing weight... one shot every 3 months... 10 bucks with my insurance... nurva ring... 30 bucks every month... ouch...

I had 2 other friends that had your issues that you are dealing with now...

Good luck... and I would call the doc back and tell them this isn't working for ya... try something else... there are lots of choices...

Just adding my 2cents...I've been on Depo and Love it!

There was a small weight gain when I first started, but it was enough to make me more diligent regarding food.

I go for a shot every three months and the only bleeding I've had was a regular period ONCE when I went away for a weekend with 7 other women, all of whom wound up with their periods the following month.
Estrogen through osmosis!

My OB offered me an IUD or the ring as a substitute but I prefer the depo.

Thanks everyone for your input.  For those of you that are on the depo, do you give yourself the injections or do you go to your doctors for the injections?

Thanks again!!!!

With the depo, you have to go to you ob/gyn to get the shot.
I get a Rx and pick it up from the pharmacy, then go to the dr's office where someone (dr, midwife, phys asst) gives me the shot.

i stayed on the pill just to make sure my cycle stayed on track because of my PCOS but the dr says that the pill is not as effective becuase of absorption issues and hormone changes.
So we used the pill and condoms, because I do not want to be a mom