Birth Control Pills after surgery

Hope you grads can help with this. This is a re-post from the main board. Thanks. Since my gastric bypass surgery, I've had lots of breakthrough bleeding while taking tri-norinyl birth control pills. I never had this before the surgery and I know things change - hormones, etc. but it has been 7 months now. My surgeon knows I'm on the pill and didn't say anything about it not being effective (maybe it is not being absorbed now?). And I've searched on the internet and there are many different opinions on how the new stomach configuration of the gastric bypass affects the birth control pill. Any words on your experience would help. I've tried (with advice of my OBGYN) to skip the placebo pills and go straight into the next pack to avoid my period altogether, but I still bleed. Thanks. Vickie

Hey Vickie - I was on the pill before surgery, and was told I had to go off it. Not because it FOR SURE wouldn't work or be absorbed, but just because they don't know how each individual will end up absorbing this sort of "extended release" med. So they said this should not be considered a reliable form of birth control after surgery (might continue working fine for some women, and not work at all for others - a little to ify for my blood!). Same would go for using the med to regulate one's cycle - it MAY not be absorbed the same post-op, and therefore, may not produce the same effect. I would recommend trying the patch (if you're 200 lbs. or less) and see if that resolves the breakthrough bleeding. Personally, I went off the pill (my DH got "disconnected") because I didn't want to risk an unwanted pregnancy, and didn't want to fiddle with the patch. Don't know of that helps at all, but that's the info I have. Good luck! Karen

Hi Vickie, Same problem here. I thought we had it resolved but nope:_( so we will have to try something else. I'm using two different type at the same time which seems to have cut down on the breakthrough bleeding a lot. Sorry, not much help but I know where yu're coming from. Good luck Kenya

Everything is different after the surgery.. I take the depo and never had any breakthru bleeding till after the surgery.. I've been taking it for about 10 years. so this surgery definitely effects our hormones. Good luck finding what works for you...

Vickie, In our program, we recommend either the NUVA ring (which is inserted for 30 days) and you will not have a period while it is inserted...or for a more long term device, the new and improved IUD (no longer copper...totally plastic!) is great. It is easily inserted and can stay in place for up to 5-10 years. Easily removed... and it really helps with break through bleeding. There are several types of IUDs. Some with hormones...some without. Talk to a mid-wife or OB/GYN that has knowledge about post-gastric bypass patients. Unfortunately, many doctors don't know much about our reproductive capabilties after WLS. We are as fertile as the Nile Valley! LOL In our program, we actually have a Mid-Wife on our interdisciplinary team along with an OB/GYN, Plastic Surgeon, Behavioral Psychologists, Dietitians and Mentors/Coaches (like moi) who are more than 3 years out to help the newbies go through the transition. BTW, it is not recommended to take the Birth Control Pill after surgery because we tend to malabsorb the progesterone which is what keeps you from becoming pregnant (IF you had RNY). If you had Lap Band, then the pill is okay. Depends on which surgery you had. Hope this helps! Hugs, Kathie in Hawaii Open RNY 08/07/2002 323 to 103

I started bc after my surgery. I chose the patch. After a few months on that, I tried the nuvaring. I had horrible breakthrough bleeding with that so I switched back to the patch. I love the patch! I didn't want to risk regular bc pills since there isn't much about how we absorb it...and I don't want to have an accident. I even stack my patches and skip periods for a couple months, especially when I have something going on during that time and don't want to deal with my period.