Question:
I am almost three weeks post-op. I know I can no longer take birth control pills
because of malabsorption. I would like to know what kinds of birth control others are finding to be convenient and effective. Patch? Shots? — Bonnie R. (posted on May 25, 2003)
May 25, 2003
hmm, i was taking 2 pills per day the first few weeks, now i'm back down to
one a day. i'm 6 weeks post-op now. i'm going to ask for the patch just
because i tend to forget to take the pill at the exact same time everyday.
i'm interested in seeing what everyone says about this.
— Jessica C.
May 25, 2003
I would try the Nouva Ring. It's great no more pills to take anymore, you
just insert the ring for 3 weeks. It'new.
— Diana G.
May 25, 2003
I just started getting the Depo Provera shots. They are once every 3
months.
— [Deactivated Member]
May 25, 2003
I have been taking the pill all along. My doctor said they were so small it
didn't matter. I take them for peri-menopause symtoms and have had no
problems. LAP RNY 8-28-02 down 101 lbs! Best of luck!
— Linda K.
May 25, 2003
One note of warning on the patch.. it's not as effective if you weigh more
than 200 lbs....something to consider. I've used the nuva ring as a
pre-op, and wasn't thrilled with it (it fell out, and/or I could feel it
all day)....when I'm post-op, I'll be getting a Mirena(IUD)....it lasts 5
years...nothing to think about or forget, and no malabsorbtion issues. (I
can't comment on the pill, I'm unable to take them due to heart problems).
— Kelly B.
May 25, 2003
Dear Bonnie: I have been getting the Depo-provera shot for about 8 or 9
years now, and for me, this is the best choice. I couldn't take the pill
because of side effects like nausea and headaches. I've been so happy with
the shot because I don't have periods, which is a big plus since mine were
really awful and lasted 7+ days with heavy bleeding, clotting and cramping.
Sorry, I don't mean to be too graphic. Anyway, I found that the Depo shot
also seems to cut down on my moodiness. I realize it doesn't work as well
for everyone...it can cause constant bleeding and sometimes can cause
weight gain. Unfortunately, my insurance doesn't cover the shot, so I have
to pay for it myself, but I get it filled at a pharmacy for about $55.00
and then my mom, who is a nurse, injects me. I write in my day-planner
each time I get the shot and when my next one is due again. It's effective
for 12 weeks. Good Luck in finding the one that works for you!
— Moysa B.
May 25, 2003
I had fertility problems prior to surgery and then after my surgery I did
not want the possibility of getting pregnant so I went back on the pills.
My surgery was 08/28/01 and I am still taking the pills with no problems.
I'm currently taking Triphasil. Hope this helps.
— trtorrey
May 25, 2003
I also have been on Depo shots for 8 years and would not trade them for
ANYTHING!!! It solved 9 months of constant bleeding (and I don't mean
light either) and hormone driven headaches. I actually get my shots every
8 weeks because that seems to keep my body the happiest. I was on 6 week
shots for quite a while also. As my body fat continues to go down we will
likely try stretching the spacing out till I get to the 12 weeks, but don't
want to push too fast and screw up a good thing. For me the large amount
of fat on my body, which produces lots of estrogen, needed the much higher
level of progesterone to balance my system. It took about 15 months before
I finally got to no bleeding but it settled down quite a bit after even the
1st shot. In my case I think the BCP's irritated the heck out of the
uterus lining and that was what all the bleeding was as it rarely seem to
shed anything. Hormones can be a wonderful or horrible thing! I am more
than willing to deal with an extra 5 lbs here or there for the normalcy it
has brought to my life. The best part was I never had the famous after
surgery period so many get because of the shock to their bodies. I will
always be a Depo shot fan!!
— zoedogcbr
May 26, 2003
I use the ortho-evra patch, and love it. I had a lot of probs with deop,
and my gyno suggested I go on the patch when he found out I was having wls.
I love it, and won't think of going to anything else. I did have 2 periods
within the first month, but that is normal when you swich bc methoods. Good
luck and God bless! 5 weeks out, down 29 lbs.
— mellyhudel
May 26, 2003
Melloney, Unless you already weigh less than 200 lbs be extremely cautious
us using the patch. It can fail you just as easily as BCP's do after
surgery. The patch is known for not protecting people nearly as well when
they weigh over 200 lbs, so don't rely totally on the patch. JMO
— zoedogcbr
May 27, 2003
I have been on the pill for about 16 years - and was told a couple of weeks
before surgery that I could not count on oral contraceptives as a reliable
means of birth control after surgery. Because they can't gaurantee whether
or not it will be absorbed properly, they could not recommend it. I was
told to use alternative means of birth control. I immediately set up an
appointment with my OB/GYN, who completely concurred - I could not count on
birth control pills anymore. They might work, or they might not. My DH and
I discussed it - we don't want children (and at 40, I'm a bit old -
physically and otherwise - to start a family). He had a vasectomy, and we
used condoms until we got the all clear from the doctor. However, if we had
NOT decided to go that route, I would have used the patch once my weight
dropped below 200 pounds (my OB/GYN didn't want me on any hormone-based
birth control for the first six months, during which the most rapid weight
loss occurs, because those big changes in weight can have a significant
influence on hormones, making any hormone-based birth control unreliable -
he wanted to wait until my weight stabilized before re-initiating hormones,
if that was what we decided to do). Hope this info helps.
— johanniter
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