Question:
Recall of Lunelle Birth Control Shot... What now?

I have been searching the Libary and have found many answers but was wondering if anyone had anything else to add.... I am four months post op and have been on the Lunelle Birth Control Shot since before surgery. I got a letter in the mail yesterday stating they are recalling all of the serum because it is not effective. This has me in a panic!!! I was do for my shot TODAY!!!! I have called my gyno. office and asked what they recommend. I go tomorrow to get fitted for a diaphram. I was hoping to get the Norplant but she said that Norplant is not recommended for me because I haven't had children yet. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am really not wanting to "mess" with a diaphram but it looks like that is my only choice since the patch only works on women under 198 lbs., the pill is no absorbed, the depo causes weight gain... etc..etc.. Thank you for your help and advice before hand!!!!    — Candi B. (posted on October 17, 2002)

October 17, 2002
I'm surprised that your gyno would even suggest getting fitted for a diaphram especially since you are still in the "honeymoon period" of weight loss. My PCP has always been against it because the fit of a diaphram can be affected so much by weight influxes or reductions. I would think if you go the diaphram route you would constantly have to be refitted and what happens if it's "too loose" that one time and you get pregnant? I think Depo would be the best route. I've had it for 5 years and did not notice weight gain because I've been gaining weight all my life anyway! (ha!) If you get the Depo shot, it's not going to effect the size of your stomach pouch and allow you to eat anymore anyway. I think it mostly has to do with cravings and don't WLS patients have reduced/different cravings after surgery anyway. I say go for the Depo, but that's my two cents and I'm definitely not a nurse, but it's from info I've learned over the years. Good luck with your choice (RNY 9-26-02, 3 weeks post-op)
   — Stacey G.

October 17, 2002
Ask your gynie about the NuvaRing. It's placed by the cervix once a month (unlike the diaphragm, which can get really messy and inconvenient when you have to put it in and take it out so often) and emits the same homrones contained in the BC pill, but in lesser amounts (because it's placed so close to the reproductive organs).
   — Patricia E.

October 17, 2002
I got an IUD about 1 month post op. My gyn though it was the best choice because if my size changed it would not effect the effectiveness of it. I have had no really problems, except my periods are very heavy.
   — Christina L.

October 18, 2002
I would check with your surgeon about the pill absorbtion too.. I am not the pill but I am on HRT and those pills are absorbed just fine post op. I have not heard about BC pills not being absorbed post op. I have also heard the depo shot is a good bet, but personally have not needed BC for over 12 years :)...nice way to live! (I do have four kids so I did get the childbirth experience first) I do agree with the previous poster talking about the diaphram and weight loss. That is very true and you may very likely find yourself pregnant if you rely on that during the WL process! Bad idea! Good luck! Tami
   — Tami D.

October 18, 2002
Depo gets a bad rap. It doesn't make EVERYONE gain weight, and those it does, I think it adds 5lbs maybe. I've been on it for years and love it, as have a couple of my friends. I highly recommend giving it a try.
   — Angie M.

October 18, 2002
I loved Depo Provera! I used that for about 5 years and I LOVED not having a period! If Depo doesn't seem right, what about those new week-long patches? Diaphragm will definitely be affected by weight loss and never seemed like aconvenient option to me. Good luck!
   — Karen N.

October 18, 2002
Boy Candi, can I relate with you!!! I have had so much trouble with this issue. I was on Depo pre-op & gained about 50 lbs. Tried the Luenell shot post-op & found that it was making me more hungry than normal. So I went off of that right away. My gyno is not very familiar with this surgery so he was of no help at all as to suggestions. I finally out of desperation called my surgeon & he told me that taking birth control pills should be fine. He said they shouldn't be any less effective with RNY surgery. So, I am now on Yasmin. So far so good. It still kind of scares me though because I have heard so much on here about birth control pills being less effective. I didn't want to do the diaphram either. So I don't know the answer either. If you find anything else out please let me know!
   — Allison T.

November 26, 2002
I too was on Lunelle and was not very happy when it was recalled. Only the pre-filled syringes were recalled for possible incomplete dosages, not the vials which can be found at some local type pharmacies. I changed to the Ortho-Evra patch. The thing is, you should be under 198 lbs for this to be effective, which I am, but was not when I started on Lunelle. So... just my two cents worth.
   — missesrita