Question:
I think I am not absorbing any of my medications - RNY

I have been taking a new birth control for a full month. That whole month I bled everyday all day long. That is why I am on BC to stop the 24/7/365 bleeding (as well as to not get pregnant.) Since it doesn't work, I assume I am not absorbing enough of the meds. Insurance won't pay for Depo. How bad is my absorption if I am 150CM bypassed?    — Heather M. (posted on November 10, 2003)

November 10, 2003
Any time you change birth control (hormones of any kind) it can mess up your body for a while. So do not assume you are not absorbing your new medicine. However, if it is BCP's I would personally not gamble. I have been on Depo since 1995 and have had zero changes or problems since my WLS. Things are just like they have always been - no surprise bleeding etc. and it certainly hasn't affected my weight loss. Depo shots are about $80 for 3 months. I would argue with your insurance as to why Depo is not covered as it is not more expensive than BCP's as most run $25-30 per month. You might try going to planned parenthood as the cost might be a lot more reasonable. The nuva (sp?) ring is supposed to be pretty good also. <p>I also am 150cm bypassed. I suspect I have been malabsorbing some of my depression medicine as the last 1-2 months I have been more irritable etc. The doc increased my dose one step and I feel back to normal now. So it is entirely possible to malabsorb some of your meds as well as other things. If your insurance will pay for the patch then maybe you could pay for Depo until you are under 200 lbs and can use the patch. Personally I think not covering Depo, when you are no longer supposed to use BCP's, is criminal. Maybe you need to have your GYN write a letter explaining that this is the proper medication for you because of your surgery and they will approve it as a medical exception. It would be worth the try in my opinion.
   — zoedogcbr

November 10, 2003
hiya~ a couple of things are most likely going on...1. you're not absorbing the med at full strength due to your surgery and 2. your estrogen levels are changing due to losing weight. I was on estrogen replacement therapy due to hysterectomy (at young age) and i finally had to start using a patch to get enough of the estrogen. You can do the spit test on your med (swish warm water in your mouth then spit it onto your pill in a cup. see if it dissolves in 20 minutes). if it does dissolve then you probably need a stronger dose - our bodies synthesize estrogen in fat cells. as our fat cells shrink, we make less estrogen! i don't know about progesterone. a good idea would be to see your ob-gyn and get a hormone level panel run to see where you're at then he/she can go from there. do they make birth control patches? if so that may be the best bet (if your insurance will cover it). good luck, kate
   — jkb