Fall 2011 Super Secret Clubhouse!
Birth Control
This is a topic I have questions about.
I have/had PCOS (I don't know how long it takes to go away after WLS) and was irregular since age 16. I went on the pill at age 18 in 1992 and stayed on it until my husband and I decided to start to try to conceive two years after we married at age 27 in 2002. I never got pregnant after stopping the pill, despite multiple fertility treatments, drugs, procedures, etc. between 2002-2007. I have never taken birth control since stopping the pill back in 2002. Over the past few years, I have lost about 60 pounds and my cycles have become very regular- I was hoping my fertility would increase but it didn't-I haven't used birth control since 2002 and never gotten pregnant! Well, my surgeon recommended getting on birth control before my surgery b/c people frequently have a sudden increase in their fertility after WLS and pregnancy is not recommended during the first year post-op. It felt weird even having to think about birth control.
I decided to go with the Implanon. It’s a flexible rod-shaped contraceptive, about the size of a matchstick, that was placed under the skin of my upper arm by my ob/gyn. It last 3 years but can be taken out sooner. It is placed during the first few days of a cycle. I had my placed on Sept. 1st and since then have had only 4 days where I have NOT had any bleeding or spotting. It is driving me crazy! I had to deal with it pre-op, in the hsopital during my surgery and ever since. My ob/gyn told me irregular bleeding is normal in the beginning, but I didn't think I would have to deal with it this much. It is supposed to get better but it doesn't always-I was anemic pre-op and on high potency iron, and am now on iron as a pre-op too
So my question is, what birth control are you guys going to use (if it is applicable) during your first year as a post-op or even longer? I was told the pill may not be absorbed as well, so therefore, not as effective, and forget Depo-Provera- too many side effects (to me) that include weight gain. The Mirena (IUD) is another good one that lasts 5 years but isn't really recommended as much for women who have never had children. I would be fine sticking with condoms, but I am wondering if that is just too risky? I don't want a pregnancy too early after surgery to cause me complications or put risk to my unborn child due to the potential for vitamin deficiencies right after WLS.
Any thoughts or suggestions? Thx!
I have/had PCOS (I don't know how long it takes to go away after WLS) and was irregular since age 16. I went on the pill at age 18 in 1992 and stayed on it until my husband and I decided to start to try to conceive two years after we married at age 27 in 2002. I never got pregnant after stopping the pill, despite multiple fertility treatments, drugs, procedures, etc. between 2002-2007. I have never taken birth control since stopping the pill back in 2002. Over the past few years, I have lost about 60 pounds and my cycles have become very regular- I was hoping my fertility would increase but it didn't-I haven't used birth control since 2002 and never gotten pregnant! Well, my surgeon recommended getting on birth control before my surgery b/c people frequently have a sudden increase in their fertility after WLS and pregnancy is not recommended during the first year post-op. It felt weird even having to think about birth control.
I decided to go with the Implanon. It’s a flexible rod-shaped contraceptive, about the size of a matchstick, that was placed under the skin of my upper arm by my ob/gyn. It last 3 years but can be taken out sooner. It is placed during the first few days of a cycle. I had my placed on Sept. 1st and since then have had only 4 days where I have NOT had any bleeding or spotting. It is driving me crazy! I had to deal with it pre-op, in the hsopital during my surgery and ever since. My ob/gyn told me irregular bleeding is normal in the beginning, but I didn't think I would have to deal with it this much. It is supposed to get better but it doesn't always-I was anemic pre-op and on high potency iron, and am now on iron as a pre-op too
So my question is, what birth control are you guys going to use (if it is applicable) during your first year as a post-op or even longer? I was told the pill may not be absorbed as well, so therefore, not as effective, and forget Depo-Provera- too many side effects (to me) that include weight gain. The Mirena (IUD) is another good one that lasts 5 years but isn't really recommended as much for women who have never had children. I would be fine sticking with condoms, but I am wondering if that is just too risky? I don't want a pregnancy too early after surgery to cause me complications or put risk to my unborn child due to the potential for vitamin deficiencies right after WLS.
Any thoughts or suggestions? Thx!
i know what you mean, i spent 10 years of marriage with no birth control, it does seem like i am being silly, not sure how to explain it. i am trying the nuvaring, i have a friend who has pcos and she really likes it, regular cycles and the meds go directly to the cervix so not as many side effects.
Support Group for Fall 2011 WLS! Please come and join!
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/Fall_2011_WLS/
Update-So, I still am having continued spotting/light bleeding with the implanon-I called my GYN and they told me usually homones level out around 3 months and the bleeding stops. That is not until December 1st! I guess I'll just deal with it for now and if things haven't changed by December, I'll have it removed...
Apple- If I end up getting my Implanon removed, I will consider the Nuva-Ring..just worried I might not get it in correctly-kwim?
Apple- If I end up getting my Implanon removed, I will consider the Nuva-Ring..just worried I might not get it in correctly-kwim?
I love love love the nuvaring. I used it for a short time prior to my husband and I getting married. Its totally flexible and neither of us ever felt it. Another huge perk of the ring is that you can take it out and would potentially be fertile right away the first month. It also is a very low dose of hormone - so none of the nasty side effects other types of contrception often have. It reduced the amount of bleeding and regulated everything. All of my OBGYN's have been huge fans of it since I was first introduced to it 10 years ago. So that has to be a plus! 
I got an IUD in July. I love it
HW-298 SW-251 Loss/Month post RNY(1)-23.5,(2)-23.3,(3)-9.9,(4)-10.6,(5)-8.9,(6)-7.7,(7)-4.2,(8)-7.5,(9)-1.7,(10)-10.8*first goal reached*,(11)-6,(12)-1.3,(13)-0.3,(14)+2.9-*changed scales that weigh 2lbs heavier*,(15)-0.3(16)-4.7(17),+5.8(18)-1.5,(19)+4.4,(20)-+4,(21)-1.2,(22)+3.5,(23)
