Question:
Is "the pill" still effective after RNY surgery?

As I was waiting to have my Preoperative Admittance Testing done, a patient in the waiting room said that "the pill" shouldn't be used as a form of birth control after RNY surgery beacause it wouldn't be absorbed. Is this true?    — ilovequilts (posted on April 25, 2009)

April 25, 2009
Yes, I was told this by the Internal Medicine physician that cleared me for surgery at my Pre-Admission Testing. She said as we lose weight, we break down estrogen and that condoms are the safest and most reliable form of birth control at this time. She said injectables (shots), birth control that is inserted and pills are not effective.
   — Aimee J.

April 25, 2009
I informed the PCP. that did all of my pre-op testing, and also the nurse that spoke at the pre-op class. They told me to stop taking my BC pill as of now and start back up a month after surgery. I have yet to be told that it is no longer effective.
   — Laurieanna319

April 25, 2009
In reference to the person who posted below me, I would still confirm with your surgeon and the person who cleared you medically. I am an ICU nurse (graduating from Nurse Practitioner schooling in a few weeks) and from the research studies I have read, it is not an effective method of birth control until the weight loss has slowed down. Besides that, I wouldn't want to take the chance of getting a blood clot. Overweight women are more prone to them when on BC. Both my surgeon and doctor told me that BC is only 40% effective after WLS. If you don't want any surprises, use condoms and your BCP! :) :)
   — Aimee J.

April 25, 2009
You may want to try the IUD (great for some) or next best - the diaphragm (which is 98% effective when used properly together with a spermicide, although not the most convenient thing in the world.). Diaphragm sizes change with weight loss, though, so visit your GYN regularly. Good luck - and worse comes to worst - congratulations!! (just kidding)
   — zimra

April 26, 2009
So many women become preggers after WLS on the pill that I have to believe that some either malabsorb the pill more than others or all the hormones that are released during weight loss somehow makes the body more fertile...??? I have heard that, but honestly have not researched it because I got hubby fixed and I raised two kids to adult! (so it was not a priority to learn about) I'm done! LOL , but I know a lot of women that got visited by the stork before the rapid weight loss year was over! If I was having to worry about an unwanted/not ready-type pregnancy after WLS, I would NOT use the pill and rather, would get an IUD as a precaution...Better to try a method that doesn't have to go thru our ever mysterious pouches and rearranged anatomy. Who cares if it's true? What if it is? Can you say diapers at $30+ a large box?
   — .Anita R.

April 27, 2009
Yes the pill is effective for me anyway. I had RNY 3 years ago and I have been on the pill for about 4 months and its working for me
   — glennk