Question:
Birth control keeping me from losing?

I started oral birth control on Sunday (had to wait until my period started and it took 9 weeks!) and now I have GAINED a pound. What's up with that? Also, I feel really emotional now-- like I get angry really quickly... do you think it's from the pill? Will it keep making me gain weight? (10 weeks post-op RNY)    — airbear762000 (posted on March 6, 2007)

March 6, 2007
Have you ever been on the BCPs in the past? It is an increase of hormones to keep you from ovulating... it is going to make you emotional and gain some water weight until your body gets used to it. Just focus on what you should be doing.. eating right and exercising and lots of water... congrats on your surgery. Also a 1lb weight gain is not much. You can fluctuate as much as 5lbs daily...
   — Kari_K

March 6, 2007
I thought we couldn't take oral birth control b/c it wouldn't get absorbed enough for it to be fully effective?
   — sassychick247

March 7, 2007
My doctor recommand me to take the depo shot which alot of people has gain alot of weight on. it has been almost two months since my surgery and I have lost 45lbs. I dont think the birth control has effected my weight, but everyone is different. If you only gain 1lb, I would not worry about that. As long you know you are eating the way you are suppose to. If you gain more than 5lbs, I would talk with my doctor. Some birth control can make women gain some weight. When I started the oral brith control years ago, I did gain 5lbs. When I switch from oral birth control to the depo shot, I got very emotional for a month. Also I did not start my period for two months. This is normal when starting a birth control or switching birth controls. If you continue to have a problem with it, you might want to discuss it with your docotor. Take care.
   — barfiep01

March 7, 2007
Your 1lb weight gain is most likely due to your body retaining water. Don't worry, you'll continue to lose. Were you feeling really emotional before starting the birth control? Again, it could be the hormones... Have you had PMS in the past? If you continue to feel badly and/or you feel like your emotions are out of control (especially if you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or others), \you need to see your doctor and maybe try something else. You might do better with a birth control pill that has a different mix of hormones (there are several). If you do think that birth control is the cause of your symptoms, I would avoid any type of birth control that is injected or implanted (unless its an IUD)... once you've been injected w/ Depo (as another poster mentioned), there is no way to "stop taking it." If you develop unpleasant side effects, you are just stuck dealing with it until it wears off (3 months, I think). Best wishes.
   — mrsidknee

March 13, 2007
Weight gain is one of the side effects of the pill.
   — Novashannon