I could use your opinion

Hi Everyone

Just looking for some opinions-sorry this may be a little long

I just had surgery and am not in any relationship and do not plan on having kids right now- though I know even if I did want to I would need to wait.

I have been on birth control for 10 years now and love it as it makes my periods regular and light. The doctor made me stop taking the pills before surgery. I am now allowed to take them again but wondering if I should.

On one hand- they made my periods so easy. I used to get horribly heavy periods, I would get sick, pass out, massive cramps etc but this would happen only maybe 3 times a year. And why should I stop the pill if I'm not planning on kids?

But maybe since I have already stooped taking them I should just stay off them in case a couple years from now I do want to have kids? I have a feeling it will take my body a long time to adjust to not being on the pill. I would want to be able to have kids should I decide to and am worried about how being on the pill for so long would effect that.

Any of this making sense? Any thoughts?

Just wondering what experiences others may have had

Thanks everyone

Valerie

I reccomend the Merina IUD, I had one for 4 years, had no period, and never had to worry about absorbtion issues, or forgetting to take my pill everyday. For me it was truely the best option, I know everyone is different but if I were you I would give it some thought. As I mentioned I had mine for 4 years, had it removed the last day of October, and found out I was pregnant on Dec 27! Good luck!

I say try staying off the pill, see how it makes you feel. Before i had WLS I had the same kind of issues (long, heavy periods etc). It must have been hormonal or weight related because post WLS i had very normal periods even tending toward the light side. i personally never started back up on the pill after surgery and I am currently 6weeks and 3 days pregnant (I waited oveer a year to get pregnant btw). Again I'd say if you want to stay off of it try it and see how your body responds. I know some people it does take their body a while to adjust after coming off birth control so that might be a good thing. One word of caution though ... DO NOT run the risk of getting pregnant before your at least 12 months post op. I know how tempting it can be, but it is just not worth the health of your new baby. You had surgery for a reason now give it time to work. Don't be selfish and rush into another decision like having a baby. i hope you dont think I'm attacking you because I DONT mean to be in any way as your post clearly says you have zero intention of getting pregnant now ... I'm just saying that as a warning, ya know? Good luck to you, I hope you lose all of your weight quickly and get pregnant just as easily.

The only input I wanted to give regarding the pill...If you end up going back on it because of heavy periods...when you do get in a relationship, be aware that many women have malabsorption of birth control pills.  With many women's increased fertility - the combo of increased fertility and semi-functioning birth control pills may get you a surprise sooner than you plan.  If you go back on them to regulate your periods, it's probably best to not depend on them to actually prevent pregnancy when you get into a relationship.  Use a back up plan - or as one of the previous posters suggested, look into another method. 

Best wishes on your weight loss.  You're welcome to hang out here with us even though you're not actively trying to conceive right now...but if you choose not to, I hope to see you back here when you are ready for a little one.

Hey Valerie!  I am a Valerie, too!

You sound like me in many ways (young when you had RNY, at least you look it in ur pic).  I was 25 when I had an RNY, and after RNY, for at least 3 years, I had the worst periods of my life.  I have read that when we are in the massive weight loss stage, that fat cells store estrogen and the estrogen is released into the bloodstream as we burn the body fat.  That was why I assumed my periods got WORSE after my surgery.  I used a Ring for a short time, but the hormones made me crazy.  Sounds like you had a good experience on BC, so if it made your period lighter before, you may want to get on them again if you start to get the massive bleeding I had.

I bled so much for so long that I became severely anemic.  So much so that my blood loss slowed and my periods became light.  I have not been on BC now for YEARS, and my fertility is off the charts.  I got married December 4th, and my husband only ONE time didn't "pull out" and BOOM!  I got pregnant 2 weeks after getting married.  My friend on the other hand, was on BC for 10 years and has been married 2 years and has been trying to conceive from day one and is now doing fertility treatments.

This is only my personal experience, not medical info, etc.  You just have to make the best decision for yourself!!