Implanon, the implant birth control... - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Jeanettie · 09-09-2009, 04:40 PM

I just got an Implanon Birth control implant in my left arm last thursday, and just thought i'd share a bit with everyone on here...

I'm sure all women who are undergoing or have already had their wls know that birth control is super important because our fertitily increases with weight loss.

Before surgery i did the shot, thinking it was the best option for me. Taking pills is not a good choice for us because we may not absorb the medicine well and could get pregnant anyways.

I did the shot after y surgery as well, but i was concerned about fertilty returning slowly, so i did more research and discovered Implanon.

It's a small match stick sized plastic rod they insert on the under side of your arm. The actual insertion didn't really hurt, the local they gave me burned a little, but it was nothing compared to all the needle pokes of surgery. lol. It's sore for a few days afterwards, but mine is healing nicely. you can see the rod a bit under your skin, but i figured having a bunch of staples in my gut didn't freak me out, so neither should a plastic stick, lol.

The rod stays in for three years, and uses the same hormones as the shot. It has similar side effects, but once removed, your fertility return right away. MY doctor told me i'd probably have the same side effects on Implanon as i did on the shot. I didn't gain any weight from the shot, and i'm still losing with the implant as well. the main side effect is changes in menstral cycles... they can get heavier, lighter, or stop... Mine tend to stop or be very very light (which is great for me since i have anemia problems that get worse when on my period). I had never even heard of this method of birth control before last month, but my boyfriend read some article on it and suggested it to me. I did research on it on planned parenthood's website and decided it was a good choice for me.

I just wanted to share, in case there are others like me looking for someting different.

Jeanie · 09-09-2009, 05:09 PM

That's interesting I have never heard of this either. So can you take it out early if you want to get pregnant before the three years is up?

Jeanettie · 09-11-2009, 01:54 PM

yes you can. Getting it removed takes a bit longer and is a bit more difficult than getting it put in, since they may have to dig a little for it. They have to make a small cut to get it out. But they give you a local and it doesn't hurt.

Mine will probably end up coming out before i need to have surgery on my arms (unfortunutely it'll be in the way). Depending on when I have this done, i may or may not get another one after healing

Jeanie · 09-11-2009, 01:57 PM

Thanks for the info!

sgtsbabygirl · 09-17-2009, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeanettie

yes you can. Getting it removed takes a bit longer and is a bit more difficult than getting it put in, since they may have to dig a little for it. They have to make a small cut to get it out. But they give you a local and it doesn't hurt.

Mine will probably end up coming out before i need to have surgery on my arms (unfortunutely it'll be in the way). Depending on when I have this done, i may or may not get another one after healing

Thank you so much for sharing! This sounds like a great idea, writing it down for the doctor

batiekall05 · 10-30-2009, 10:53 AM

I went to my OB yesterday and we talked about different BC methods. I had narrowed it down to the ring and implanon. She said for me the ring would make my endometriosis worse because of the estrogen. I'm going with implanon... Just waiting on insurance approval. UGH!!!

I have 2 friends that have had it for over a year and they both LOVE IT! They said the first few months there will be a lot of spotting and break through bleeding, but after you get over that it's AMAZING!

How do you like the rod now?