Question:
I'm lost as to what kind of birth control I should use post-op? Any suggestions?
I am about 3 months post-op RNY. From what I understand RNYers cannot take birth control pills because they don't work is well. Is this true? I was on Depo about 5 years ago & I had a very bad time with it. I gained about 60lbs. & had headaches & the whole nine yards. So needless to say I will not be on that again. I just recently tried the new Luenell once a month shot. It made me hungry. I didn't go through this surgery to go on something that makes me hungry. So I won't be on that again. I don't know what else to try? I was on a birth control pill pre-op that worked so well for me. Can I go back on it with out worrying that it won't work? I just don't want a suprise in 9 months right now. Any suggestions? — Allison T. (posted on July 8, 2002)
July 8, 2002
I'm pre-op, but I'm currently using the Ortho Evra birth control patches.
I've been on it a few months and I haven't had any of the bad side effects
like I did with depo. You apply a patch to your skin each week for three
weeks. I'm going to check with my surgeon to see if this will still be a
good method for me post op.
— Carolyn W.
July 8, 2002
My suggestion is an IUD. They are very safe, nothing to remember, and very
discreet. There are ones that you can have in anywhere from 1 to 10 years!
They can make your periods a little heavier or crampier, but this is not
the case for me. They are only recommended for women in monogamous
relationships and who've had at least on child. Good luck and god bless.
— cjabates
July 8, 2002
I still take my birth control pills and never went off them from my
surgery. My doctor's are with the ECU School of Medicine and have studied
WLS and written many papers on WLS. They were some of the first to
recommend calcium be taken as a supplement after surgery. They have no
recommendations against birth control pills so I see no reason why they are
not effective after surgery.
— Tparker
July 8, 2002
Hello :) I just saw my surgeon today and I had similar questions. He told
me to treat myself like any ordinary person who is on a diet and watching
what they eat. I decided to try the birth control patch, since it is the
same exact thing as the pill, but you don't have to remember to take it
every single day! It seems like a good idea for someone like myself who is
very forgetful. Also, my gyno suggested it because I am young and want to
have kids someday soon. With Depo..it can take up to a year to conceive
once you go off it. Hope this helps :)
— Kelly C.
July 8, 2002
I would definately suggest the IUD. I am pre op and have it due to
forgetfullness and one child ;o) lol. It is something that can last for 7
to 10 years and is inserted into your cervix to wave off the friendly
warriors (sperm). You can take it out earlier if you plan on having a
child other than that you just forget about it. Good luck on your quest I
am 25 and have had one for 5 years now. Have a blessed day! Huggers ~Ang~
— angel_wls
July 8, 2002
My doctor suggests that if you are on a low dose b/c pill get it bumped to
the stronger one b/c as overweight persons we store alot of hormones. As
our bodies loose the weight it releases those stored up hormones. Making
pregency more likley to happen. So get the strongest or stronger pill to
prevent pregency or use another form of birth control. Also it is suggested
to wait till your at least 18 months post-op b/f getting pregnant. Hope
this helps. sandy
— sandy W.
July 8, 2002
Hey, I know it's a pain, but let's not forget condoms! They are one of the
most effective methods of birth control out there. It will only be for a
few months until the hormones have settled down, and I for one do not want
to take any chances.
— Jennifer Y.
July 8, 2002
I took my pill up until the day of surgery, then I missed one (cause you
have to take the leak test first)then I took 2 the next night, doctors at
medical college just advise for the first month after surgery use bc pills
and a barrier method, then after that it's okay just to use the pill. Hope
that helps
— autlex65
July 8, 2002
I hate to bring bad news in a response, but I just want to make sure that
you are aware that Ortho Evra (patches) are only effective if you weigh 198
lbs. or less. I am currently using the patches (to make my cycle regular)
however have been warned to also use a condom or some other barrier method
(cervical cap, diaphragm, etc.). As far as the pill is concerned my
Surgeon feels that I may not absorb enough of the hormones for it to be
effective. And the various shots they feel may effect my weightloss.
I know how you feel about birth control methods, I have been trying to find
a good one since they rolled me out of the OR! Good Luck!
— Chloe S.
July 9, 2002
I think this is a common concern among most of us post-op patients. I have
an IUD that I've had for a little over a year now, and the pain is just too
much for me to live with anymore (if you've had children, the pain
shouldn't be too bad because the uterus is stretched out, but I have never
been pregnant). I spoke to my surgeon a couple of weeks ago about BC
pills, and he said there aren't any definitive studies on the effectiveness
of BC pills after WLS but that he thinks they are just as effective for us
as for regular people, especially if your surgery is proximal, which mine
is. So, tomorrow I'm going to my gynecologist to get back on Orthro Tri
Cyclen, which I have taken in the past and I love (now that I've tried the
IUD). It was so nice to have short, light periods with no cramping AND
beautiful skin. I'll keep my IUD for another month as back-up, and then
I'm having it yanked out. If you do go back on the pill, watch out for
spotting in between periods. My understanding is that if you have
spotting, they may not be working as effectively as they should, and you
should use a back-up method. But if you have no spotting, they should be
working just fine. Good luck in your decision!
— Kristie B.
Click Here to Return