Birth control pill question... - ThinnerTimes

irishmom · 09-14-2007, 04:50 PM

Hi everyone! Happy TGIF!!

I had my mandatory pre-op class yesterday and the nutritionist briefly mentioned that birth control pills are not well absorbed after surgery (GBP). I forgot to ask her more about after the class - I went right after working all night and was beat!! Has anyone heard this before and if you feel comfortable sharing...what are you using post-op?

Thanks,

Kendra

VanessaSFL · 09-14-2007, 04:59 PM

I tried the "Ring" thingy and now we just use condoms(old school, I guess)
I know many will chime in.

Bmuscial · 09-14-2007, 06:29 PM

I was told that as well so i got an iud. However i don't think they recommend them if you haven't had kids. Or i think you could have more problems if you haven't had kids. I have the one called murena and it releases a hormone every month as well as the normal protection. I like it and it works. I don't have to worry about it for five years. So by then if my husband doesn't going to get fixed i will have to kill him. I had my surgery after i had children so i have no desire to get big again.

Dayanara · 09-14-2007, 07:05 PM

There is also the patch you could get.

Duckie · 09-15-2007, 06:56 AM

I have no children and no desire to have them. I have the murena IUD also. I love it! I hardly ever have a period and it is light and only lasts 2 days. I tried the pill and the shot. Both were unreliable for ME. Maybe try the shot? See waht happens. Good luck.

brittany · 09-15-2007, 12:18 PM

There is chewable bc pills now, the patch is only good up to a cretian weight. I used the ring and I liked it because I didn't even know it was there and you only have to worry about it every 4 weeks. The Depo Provera Shot is another ont that you could try too but one of the side affects of several of them is weight gain. Good luck finding the right one for you.

cnvh · 09-15-2007, 06:47 PM

I was on the pill for about 6 years prior to surgery and am still on it now... I've pestered all the medical professionals I have come in contact with in my journey (bariatrician, nutritionist, surgeon, etc.) and none of them have indicated that the pill is less effective after surgery, but that it's especially important to take it exactly as you're supposed to, because women tend to become extra-fertile with significant weight loss. (Estrogen is stored in fat tissue and when you lose, it's dumped back into your system.)

With that being said, starting last month I have been experiencing a weird situation with my menstrual cycle-- I'm getting my period 7-10 days BEFORE I'm done taking my "active" pills. Thinking maybe it was that particular brand of pill, I switched pills and just completed my first new pack tonight... and wouldn't you know it, I got my period a week early AGAIN. It's like my cycle just decided to reset itself for no apparent reason.

Is it due to having WLS and losing weight? Who knows?? I've asked my gynecologist and she says no, but so far no one has really given me a good answer as to why this is happening. (I don't have any other symptoms other than an early period-- no cramping, no pain, nothing else is any different.)

This probably doesn't help answer the OP's question at all... so I guess my response to her is, be warned-- things may get weird down the road after surgery!!

(And if anyone can shed any light on what's going on with my period, please let me know!!)

Jeanie · 09-15-2007, 10:12 PM

I've taken the pill before and after wls. The only thing I needed to do was switch to a different kind. The brand before WLS was to strong, and I was having a period, and then when I did it was crazy wierd. I've got no problems not that I'm on the right ones. I'm 3 years out and so far so good (knock on wood)

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Deirdrea · 09-17-2007, 10:16 AM

irishmom- I have the copper T IUD. My body pre-op never responded well to the hormones in the pill so I went for this one that is non hormonal. Before surgery my cycle was exactly 29 days and perfect. (I have had my IUD for about 4.5 years). I had surgery and it threw me out of wack into an 6-8 week cycle (and a lovely panick that I might be pregnant right after WLS). Now that my protein is under control, my blood work numbers are all coming back normal and I'm further out I"m getting back to my nice 4 week cycle. If you've had kids (judging from your name I'd say you have) and you are going to have WLS I honestly would look into an IUD if you're not 100% sure you're done having children or against you or your husband getting "fixed". The IUD is like 99.97% effective and it's honestly wonderful. Talk to your gyn to figure out which one, the mirena or copper t would be best for you, but honestly since you're looking at a minimum of 2 years before you would want to have another child it really is a good option.

Epitofme · 09-18-2007, 01:00 AM

I am currently taking Femcom ... the chewable birth control.
I'd look into it =]