birth control - cross post

I posed this question on the VSG and main forum and did not get many responses. Someone suggested i post here to find out what did NOT work for you ladies...I thought it could not hurt.
Had VSG surgery Aug 16th, 2010. I am going in for an appointment with the OB/GYN next month to talk about birth control. I have taken hormone pills in the past. I am not a good pill taker...Why should I buy these pills every month to only take 3 or 4 a week? So i stopped taking them. Asked the OB if I could have the Mirena IUD. she told me NO...I am too young (i was 19) and had not had any kids and that is only for women who have had children already. My response...I want the IUD to PREVENT the kids...duh?? well anyways...she would not do it. I am now 24...still without child  (thankfully) and REFUSE to take birth control pills again. I have since discovered the Paragard (hormone free IUD) and think this is my match. Any experience with these? Is there a medical reason why I should NOT take hormone birth control pills after weight loss surgery? I feel like anything I have in my corner to make the IUD look more positive will help with my doctor. If she still tells me no I will find another doctor...but I can't see any of them until next year! So i REALLY want this dr. to approve the IUD for me. Shouldn't it be simply enough that I CANNOT get pregnant right now? Don't you think it would be more dangerous for me to get pregnant than to have an IUD before having any kids? Also, I would like to hear your experience with the IUD..Mirena or Paragard. Thanks in advance!!

I had a Mirena IUD placed 6 wks after my twins were born. Then around a year later (9 months post VSG), I found out I was pregnant and had to have an emergency IUD removal to prevent complications.

My Mirena experience is EXTREMELY rare. Most of the very rare IUD pregnancies end in early miscarriage. My doctor does believe my WLS may have had something to do with getting pregnant though. The way he explained it, Estrogen is stored in your fat and my rapid weight loss (130 lbs in 9 months) caused a drop in estrogen and a rise in progesterone which made basically made me super fertile.

Overall IUDs are a great option. Most OB/GYNs suggest them for women who have had babies because usually your cervix has been dilated and it's much easier to insert the IUD. Since you've not had a baby, your OB can insert it during your period, when your cervix is softer and more open.
If your GYN still tells you no, find another doctor.
I loved my Mirena while it was in, I had much lighter periods (like 1-2 days of light spotting). Paragaurd is known to cause heavier, more painful periods, so you might want to consider that.

Call around until you get what you want. I had a Mirena IUD placed after my RNY in 2005. I had never had a baby or been pregnant. Just be aware that there is some pain involved since that pathway has never been stretched out before. If you can get this done, take some ibuprofin before hand to ease some of the pain. You may also bleed like a period for the rest of the day. Nobody warned me of that.

Good luck
Kina

Have you thought about Implanon Birth Control Implant? It goes just under the skin in your upper arm. It is good for 3 yrs. It is a Progesterone only hormone. I'm pretty sure that's what I'm gonna get, after my baby's born. It has minimal side effects & can be easily placed & removed in the office. Unlike an IUD, you don't have to check for placement all the time or worry about it becoming misplaced.

I have just recently got the Mirena IUD placed five weeks ago.  So far I have experienced a lot of cramps and spotting; however, my dr. told me this was very very common before I even got it placed.  It was uncomfortable but not extremly painful to get placed.  I am hoping it works, this was the best option for me just because I am not absorbing very well...I am six year RNY post op.  I would just ask for all the options, and weigh in the best.  Stacey