Question:
was anyone else told to stop there birth control prior to surgery?

i just had my cardio clearance and he told me to stop taking them, my Surgery is July 5th, this sucks.    — crys76 (posted on June 12, 2007)

June 12, 2007
Hello...I had surgery back in November of '06. I was told to stop taking oral birth control 30 days prior to surgery. They actually called to remind me a few times. The other thing was that some folks are also told to stop smoking prior to surgery. Don't feel slighted...It has been told to others.Best of luck as you start you journey in a few short weeks!
   — purnellj

June 12, 2007
I am on the depo shot and did not have to stop it - in fact, had shot 2 days after being released from the hospital. Every surgeon is different.
   — jammerz

June 12, 2007
Well you can't take your oral birthcontrol, but thankfully there are options for the male!
   — Julie H.

June 12, 2007
Yes, my doctor requires patients to stop taking birth control pills for 30 days before surgery because they can increase the chance of blood clots following surgery.
   — Kathy S.

June 12, 2007
I have been on the pill for many years and was required to stop for upcoming surgery as well. My doctor said that it might be quite painful to start ovulating again so they gave me a Depo-Provera Shot. Because it causes weight gain over the long term I was only given this one time shot and I will start back on BC pills when it is time for the next shot.
   — S.Cali

June 12, 2007
Please be advised that after surgery any hormone based contraceptive will not be effective when you are dropping weight fast. Ex. the pill, the ring, the shot. Fats stores estrogen and when you are losing your hormones go into overdrive. a condom in addition to the pill would be a must! Ask a GYN because I know several people from our group that got pregnant only a few months out. Hope this helps-Heather
   — tazthewiz23

June 12, 2007
in respons eto above replier: Depo shot doesn't have estrogen that is why you don't have to stop that. I had to stop BCP 1 month before to 1 month after surgery due to increased risk of blood clot formation. It is just not true that hormonal methods are not reliable. There is a debate about the pill.... due to our malabsorption,which my surgeon says is a non issue. He has many patient on the pill who have not gotten pregnant. Those in the group that she was speaking of were probably not using contraception. Fertility does increase. The Patch works in women who weigh less than 200 lbs sine it is absorbed through the skin agian a nonissue. The ring is absorbed through the vagina... so really you will be fine with whatever hormonal method you choose (after surgery) good luck!
   — SteffieBear15

June 13, 2007
I was able to take my pills up to the day of the surgery.
   — stephanienagy