Birth Control and Malabsorption

Hi, posted this on the main board, but wanted to repost here. Hello, all! I'm about two years post op and am running into an issue with my birth control. I had been on the patch since I got the surgery to prevent the malabsorption issue. Recently my doctor took me off it because of the greater risk of blood clots. I started taking a daily, oral pill and have basically been on my period since I switched over. I'm into my third week. It is really getting ridiculous. I asked my gyno about the possibility of malabsoption and she told me to ask my surgeon. I asked my surgeon and he told me to ask my gyno. Basically, neither one knows the answer. Does anyon on this board have any experience with this or have a doctor that is more knowledgable who has advised you on this? I appreciate any advice you can offer. If it helps I had gastric bypass - distal or proximinal...I can't remember...that's so bad! Ha!

I don't know about the malabsorbtion thing, but I can tell you that with an IUD it wouldn't matter...also no pills to remember, and very few and very light periods...They can stay in for five years at a time, can be taken out any time, and can be replaced with a new one after five years. My wife and her gynocologist both use them and love it...

IUD's are terribly invasive though. There is the risk of them causing cysts, nonstop bleeding, and are usually for women with children already. remember there are always injections. but everyone has different experiences with BC.

Also, if I remember correctly, IUDs are only for patients who have had at least one pregnancy. Or the new one is.

Typically they prefer you to have had at least one pregnancy but I have an IUD and I've never been pregnant.  It hurt pretty badly getting it inserted but I've had it since March and I LOVE it.  No more periods and hardly a cramp ever.  I highly recomend mirena IUD's especially to post-ops who have to worry about absorbtion issues.

I have stayed on the patch.  My obgyn said there was no sense in taking me off it since I had been doing soo well for this long of a time.  So I don't really know what to say.  Id bug your surgeon more on the issue.

Thanks for the thoughts. My doc won't prescribe the patch (recently changed gynos) because she says the risks are higher for blood clots/death. Whether they really are or not, I don't know. I was on the nuva ring and that gave me killer mood swings. Since I haven't had children and haven't ruled them out completely IUDs are out. There's too much risk of infection and in turn infertility in a woman who hasn't had children and may want them some day. I guess I'll see about a higher dose on the oral pill to make it stop. Has anyone tried the shot? Likes or dislikes? It is my understanding that it causes incredible weight gain and I know I didn't go through surgery to gain weight from bc. Ha!

THat sucks the nuvaring didn't work for you, i'm a fan. I did the depo shot about 5-6 years ago and it worked fine, BUT I gained 20 pounds. Could it be hormones, or my love for panera bread at the time, I can't say for sure, but it is a side effect. ???? :) Amanda

My nutritionist suggested FEMCON...chewable birth control (they taste like a tic tac). Ask your doc about this...I chew it and put it under my tounge to be absorbed.  -Mandy

Thanks, Mandy! I've never heard of that. I'll ask about it.