Question:
Once you are post op, what are people using for birth control?
— Philippa F. (posted on January 7, 2003)
January 7, 2003
Philippa,
I'm 7 months post op and am still using condoms, they nothing else works
quite the same, like the pill or the patch, I'm hoping that within a full
year I'll be able to try out the new patch...
If you guys have any other options or idea's I'd like to know... condoms
sort of kills the spontaneity of sex with the husband Post op 7 months
down 109 pounds
— tannedtigress
January 7, 2003
Hi Philippa--I am only 5 days post op, but I switched from the birth
control pill to the birth control patch (Ortho-Evra) a couple of months ago
and it works fine. You only have to change it once a week. My doctor said
that the effectiveness of the pill cannot be guaranteed after surgery.
Good luck!
— Allison B.
January 7, 2003
My gyno just gave me the NuvaRing. It is 99% effective and you only have
to change it once a month. www.nuvaring.com has more info
— salymsmommy
January 7, 2003
I tried the patches and lost no weight for the two months I used them. I
quit them and lost 13 lbs. Could have been the patches or could have been a
plateau but I am looking for something else. Condoms probably...
— Sharon1964
January 7, 2003
My surgeon says the pill is still as effective as it was before surgery. I
don't know if I agree. I have just started taking it again (I waited about
a month after surgery to start) and I'm in the middle of my first pack. I
believe its from the rapid weight loss, but my hormones are all out of wack
and I'm sure I'm ovulating (you women out there know what I mean). So I
still make my hubby use condoms, which certainly does kill the mood, like
the previous poster said. What does everyone think of the depo shot?
Anyone used it post op? Oh, and the pills I use are called Triphasil, I
used them for several years before surgery with no problems. Hugs, Kim S.
Open RNY Nov. 4/02 (-71)
— Kim S.
January 7, 2003
PHILLIPA, keep in mind, that the patch is only effective if you are UNDER
199LBS....So, for most WLS patients starting out, it wouldn't work.
— heathercross
January 7, 2003
Hi there, Philippa! I have been on Depo shots since well before the
surgery. My gyne says for someone my size this was the best I could get,
and also because of my hypertension. I hope to be able to switch once I
get below 200, I HATE shots! Vi open RNY 9/23/02 down 80 lbs.
— Vi F.
January 7, 2003
Depo Provera since 1995 and will use it till the day they tell me I'm in
menopause. For most it's a shot 4 times a year and that is the most you
have to think about birth control. If you get it during your period it is
automatically effective, no waiting any length of time.<p>It may take
a few shots to get your body totally under control - might have some
spotting at first. I went from 9 months of heavy continuous bleeding on
BCP's to getting a Depo shot and the bleeding stopped within 1 day and
didn't come back for 6 weeks and then much lighter. As you can tell I have
a screwed up body anyway. But shortly after 1 year any bleeding stopped
and has been gone since. It protects your uterus and ovaries from cancer
quite well because it puts them into a state hibernation.<p>I can't
even imagine dealing with something I'd have to think of every day when 4
times a year is available. Then again maybe I would feel differently if I
didn't have the 9 months of hell on BCP's. Check it out!
— zoedogcbr
January 7, 2003
See that's why I asked b/c my surgeon said that the pill will not be
effective afterwards, but my gyn says it will. My husband is very fertile
and we are newlyweds. Condoms really do make you lose the romance. Plus I
do want to have a child a year or 2 after surgery and they say that the
Depo shot can take up to 18 months after you stop to get pregnant. Any
advice on that?
— Philippa F.
January 8, 2003
I am having surgery in 22 days from now and this has been on my mind. I
love my birth control pills, have been taking them for 8 years and they
keep me on cycle, lesson my horrible cramps, period lasts 3 days, very
light, etc. - they are very beneficial to me. I was soo sad I would have to
find something else after surgery but my surgeon says they will be fine. I
am confused and will make sure to ask just one more time at my pre-op
visit. In my mind I actually could see myself in the recovery room asking
if I could take my pill yet that is how much I rely on them to keep my
hormones in check. I hope I can continue with them, if not I was
considering the patch too but didn't realize about the weight having to be
under 200. I do plan to have one more child but not trying until a year
from now so I have to have something!
— Dee ,.
January 8, 2003
Hi there, I am 7 weeks post op and was also very dependent on my birth
control pills to keep my body regular. I have PCOs. I am still searching
for a replacement. I tried the patch and had tons of break through
bleeding, so I just got off of that. Im looking at the depo shot - I
already have 2 small children. My husband is also considering a visectomy
so that I wont have to stress my body anymore. I wish you luck.
— kandi S.
January 8, 2003
I LOVE Depo-Provera. Love it, love it, love it. I will never use anything
else. It's cheap and convenient and I have had no side effects, other than
not getting a period, and I'm not complaining about that!
— Angie M.
January 9, 2003
I have used Lunelle and the new patch.
— Lisa B.
January 12, 2003
I have been using Depo Provera for the past 4 years and I love it (so does
my fiancee :-)). I had to stop taking the injection the last time before my
surgery, and was able to start again 4 weeks post-op, so we only needed to
use condoms for about 2 months. When I used to be on the pill, I was not
very good about taking it every day at the same time. This is much more
convenient, and the only side effect I have had is not getting my period,
which I consider a plus! It is very effective, and you only have to gt it
every 90 days. I highly recommend!
— AMY J.
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