Question:
Since a side effect of most birth control pills is the risk of blood clotting, ...

Since a side effect of most birth control pills is the risk of blood clotting, should I discontinue use until I am post op to prevent PE?    — Janette S. (posted on May 10, 2003)

May 10, 2003
hi, i was really worried about this aswell. i discontinued use of the pill and got a depo shot. estrogen is the clotting factor in the pill and the depo shot doesn't have estrogen so the risk of blood clots is tremendously decreased. good luck.
   — Dana M.

May 10, 2003
I am pre-op, but at my initial consultation my surgeon and his nurse both told me that to help prevent blood clots I had to discontinue use of birth control pills for at least three months before surgery.
   — AuntieT

May 10, 2003
Janette, I would check with your doctors beforehand about this. My surgeon actually told me it was okay to stay on it. I was 22 and had no risk for blood clots (although i was scared to death of them and knew they can happen to anyone) SO I did stay on it, and was fine. But you can never be too safe, so ask your docs and decide for yourself if they say to stay on it. Goodluck to you!
   — Lezlie Y.

May 10, 2003
my surgeon made me quit the pill a month before my surgery and i have not taking it since
   — TotallyTori

May 10, 2003
I am still pre-op, there's a long wait in my area, sigh....However, when discussing my upcoming WLS with my gyno, he advised me that I would have to stop taking birth control pills due to the increased risk of blood clots. You should probably ask both your surgeon and gynocologist. Good Luck!
   — Mea A.

May 10, 2003
I'm also 22 I was told to discontinue use a month before- which starts tomorrow! I'm nervous to stop taking it for fear that I will be an emotional wreck, but if it decreases my chances for blood clots, I'm willing to take that risk!
   — Jessica B.

May 12, 2003
My surgeon gives heparin injections after surgery to help prevent blood clots & also encourages walking ASAP after surgery, and he said that I didn't need to discontinue my bcp before surgery. However, I'm a fraidy-cat & discontinued them for a month before and a month after my surgery.
   — Laurie A.

May 12, 2003
I was told to stop taking birth control pills 2 months before wls and discontinue until 2 months after, by my team of doctors for the surgery. You may want to check and see what they suggest.
   — Lynne W.