Question:
Has anyone Post-Op gotten on birth control and still gotten pregnant?
— Edna D. (posted on September 16, 2003)
September 15, 2003
The first thing the doctors tell us is that we can not depend on birth
control that a barrier method is necessary.
— [Deactivated Member]
September 16, 2003
Another myth abour surgery.. Please consult your doctor regarding what is
the best method. I am 14 most post-op OPEN RNY and have been on the
"pill" since I was 3 months post-op no problem whatsoever.
— HelpMeRhonda !!
September 16, 2003
O.K You guys are scaring me. The pill is my only method of birth control. I
was never told it would not work.
— blanca V.
September 16, 2003
It might work or it might not - what every woman SHOULD have been told is
that there can be no certainty that the pill will be properly absorbed
after WLS, and that another form of birth control must be used. I was told
this by my surgeon AND my OB/GYN before my surgery. Perhaps I would have
been one of the women that the pill continued to work for - but I'm 40, not
prepared to be a mother, and was not willing to risk a pregnancy. So we
found alternative birth control.
If you have any anxieties about having a baby, arrange some other form of
birth control BEFORE you have your surgery - don't count on the pill -
because you won't know whether or not it will continue to be effective for
you until you do or don't get pregnant.
— johanniter
September 16, 2003
Also please check the website library on BIRTH CONTROL subject it helped me
alot when I reserched what method I felt would work better for me. Again
EVERYONE is different.
— HelpMeRhonda !!
September 16, 2003
Rhonda, Consider yourself lucky. As you said, every body is different
which means that not everyones fertility returns full force either and
might be fine on BCP's. However, from what I have read the majority of
people getting pregnant, when on birth control, post-op, are on birth
control pills. There is a Yahoo group about WLS and pregnancy. I don't
know it's exact name. They might be able to give you some info. Depo
shots is one of the methods that is as reliable after surgery as it was
before surgery because it has zero to do with absorption. It is
circulating throughout your body all the time. I know many don't like it
for various reasons and that's fine. But the fact is that it is reliable.
For me it was the best thing that ever happened to my body. Obviously the
safest is either abstenance or using a condom in addition to other birth
control.
— zoedogcbr
September 16, 2003
For those of you posting that you did not know...you do now. Why risk
conceiving a child before your body has adjusted and become healthy? Must
surgeons ask that we not become pregnant until we are 12-18mos PostOp and
even then we should begin Prenatal vitamins prior to conception.
— [Deactivated Member]
September 16, 2003
Definitely do NOT trust the pill post-op as a birth control method.
Doctors need to be stronger in their warnings about this! I've heard of a
lot of people getting pregnant on the pill post-op. I'm on the pill more
to control my periods but the pill is no longer working, no longer being
absorbed correctly so that was really a moot point. And remember that
Ortho Evra, the patch, is not as effective for those over 198 pounds, so
you'll have to use a barrier method until then.
— sandsonik
September 17, 2003
I think that one method that hasn't been mentioned here is the patch. there
is now a birth control patch, so you don't have to worry about the pill
being absorbed. It is absorbed right through the skin. I can't use
hormones, because I had a dvt, so I'm still searching. But just wanted to
let you's know that there is another method.
Lisa
— Lisa H.
September 17, 2003
There are many options besides the pill available. A previous poster is
right about there now being a patch. However, the manufactureer says you
have to weigh 198 pounds or less for it to be effective, so it is not a
good option for new post-ops. There is also the Nuva Ring, which is
inserted internally for three weeks at a time (also hormone-based). I
understand that the sponge barrier method has been or will be reintroduced
soon. Certainly there are also condoms and foams. It does appear that, at
least for some of us, the pill may not be completely absorbed after
surgery, and that it is not wise to rely on it as your method of birth
control. I suggest a talk with your OB/GYN about this.
— Vespa R.
September 17, 2003
I was on the shot forever, a few months ago my OBGYN suggested something
else to help with the remaining weight loss. I am on NuvaRing which is
pretty good, but will be switching to the IUD since I do not plan on having
children and would like something more permanent.
— missmollyk
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