Birth Control after RNY

I wondered if others could let me know about the reliability of birth control pills after after surgery.  I am afraid that b/c of the malabsorbtion, they may not be as effective as before surgery.  I was on the Depo shot for the past 10 years, but my PCP is afraid of bone loss from prolonged use, so in November we switched back to the pill.  The last thing that I need in my life is to get pregnant (my boyfriend has 4 yr old triplet boys), so I need to hear what other people have done.  I just got home from a support group meeting, but my mom is also part of the group and its not necessarily an easy topic to bring up in a room full of people who might be quick to pass judgement.

Any help would be appreciated!! Heather

I did the Depo until I got under 200 and then I did the patches, hated them and then switched to the nuva ring.  I know there is a weight limit on the patches but not sure about the nuva ring.  Ask your Dr about it.  I love the nuva ring and if I ever go back on BC it will be the ring, but hopefully my hubby will get his little snip snip after the baby is born and we won't have to worry about that.

Hi Heather,

You are very wise to voice this concern and I only WISH surgeons/staff would do a better job informing female child-bearing age patients on this topic. 

I love my 3 children with all of my heart, but let me sum it up for you: I am the proud mommy to a baby conceived just 1-month postop despite using the BCP.  He is almost 3 months old and I just passed my 12-month surgiversary.

Try BCP's and condoms.  Try Mirena IUD (my current BC of choice).  There's a BC patch and probably a lot more options I'm failing to remember.  But you are correct that absorption can be an issue.

Good luck!

  

My surgeon tells us to use two forms of BC. He suggests the pill and condoms.

I used NuvaRing (to avoid malabsorbtion issues) and condoms (My surgeon's office protocol is for 2 forms of birth control).

All worked for me no problem..

Best of luck!

Lisa

I LOVED my Mirena IUD and not having to mess with taking a pill and refilling a Rx each month!!  I've had it out for 2 months now and hate having a period again, the Mirena made me not have a period and no PMS symptoms!! They do reccomend that the IUD be for women that have already had kids, so you might want to check with your doctor.   If you have the IUD, you don't need a backup bc method either.

I would not rely on the pill alone.  Too many women here on the board got preggers while early out and on the pill.

There are alternatives that do not rely on absorption -- paragard, mirena, nuvaring, orthoevra, and implanion just to name a quick few.  Surely one of these would work for you, and would be much more reliable than the pill.

Yikes, I am 9 weeks out and just put a call into my GYN about this!!!

Hi  I am new and just wondered what the gyn told you?  Thanks