Hi all! A recent post about libido after WLS lead me to ask a question about Birth Control after WLS and I felt the subject deserved it's own post.

It's not baby time for me. both because I am not yet medically cleared after my WLS and because my marriage is a little rocky right now. Since WLS we have been relying on condoms only and thats just not enough protection for my peace of mind right now.

For those of you who know me know that I'm a researcher. I've done a lot of poking around the web and have found some info that I want to point out.

*BC Pills do not work effectively post RNY gastric bypass surgery due to malabsorption. If your body can't absorb the medication correctly then it can't work as well as it is intended to.

*Depo shot is a great option for those who want longer term BC.It is effective for us because it bypasses the digestive system so we absorb it fully. But it can take up to 18 months after stopping it to concieve. When the time is right for me I want to be able to try right away. I dont want to wait a year and a half.

*Patches are a good option foro many because they also bypass the digestive system and are as effective as advertized. For me with my hive condition they are not an option. I have also heard that they do not stay on for many.

*IUD's...including the Mirena hormonal IUD are not recommended for those who haven't had a child. For those who have it may be a good option again because there is no involvement of the digestive system.

*NuvaRing sounds like a good option for me because conception can occur shortly after discontinuing, it bypasses the digestive system, and not many link it to weight gain.

Please chime in and inform me....and others who are wondering about this topic.

How is it different for Lap Banders?

What else is out there?

What do you use?

How do you feel about your current method?

What are the good/bad points about your current method?

Have you used anything before your current method and what made you switch?

I'm hoping for a good discussion here so please chime in!

Hi Buffy, Just say the word and me and my pals will head over there and give your old man a vasectomy! LOL Love, Ed

Can you say "ute yank".....?

Tubal Ligation = good times!


Look into the female condom. Also spermicide with those condoms! There is always abstinence till you are ready to try for a child.

And remember kids - Doubling up on condoms makes it weaker, no double bagging! I paid attention in my high school health class!!

I use the NuvaRing. They said that was my best bet... no worries about taking a pill that won't work..lol and the shot can add weight gain. Patch is not good for people who are overweight. soooooo they put me on that.. I don't mind it.. put it in for 3 weeks take out for a week.. period... put new one back in.. totally easy and works after one month.. then you can get preggers after... I say go for it!!!! You will like it!

I used the patch once I got under 200lb after surgery and stayed on that until 1 year post op. Then we used condoms for 3 months. After that we went au natural and got pregnant our first month not using protection. After my DD was born I opted for the Mirena IUD....I love it! It's working perfectly for me. No muss...no fuss...

I'll actually be having it removed next month when we try for baby #2!!

Good luck making your decision.

Kristy

My advice is DON'T LISTEN TO ADVICE FROM SOMEBODY WITH FIVE KIDS.

So, I will not waste anybody's time with advice that would have no credibility.

I was facing this issue a couple of weeks ago. DH and I discussed it at length. I personally have a real problem with anything that puts synthetic hormones in your body. I have felt strongly about this issue for years now. I think taking synthetic hormones for many years when I was much younger contributed to fertility problems.
I too looked into IUDs, but because of other issues, I am not a candidate for it. That just leaves condoms for us. Personally I hate them. But to protect my health and any child in the future, we have to use them.
The other day I laughed and told DH that I wouldn't be surprised if I was pregnant by this time next year. (We are planning on having another sometime when cleared by the surgeon.)

As for me, I was on the patch for 5 years after my bypass. It worked well for me and I was very compliant. We of course spent the last 15 months trying to conceive...But after 15 months I've decided enough is enough...Which is actually fine. I just had the Mirena IUD put in last week (the same time they did an endometrial biopsy!!) OUCH!! I was uncomfortable for 8 hours or so, but it's all a distant memory now...
Hopefully someone will have some good advice for you. Hang in there!

Jewel

OMG MOUJ!!!!!!!!!!!! I Laughed SOOOO hard at that!!!!
Ed and Beth.....thanks for the ideas but looking for non permanent methods! well....maybe Ed's idea would be good ..I'll let ya know by June...

Seriously though, thanks for the input everyone. I know there are a ton of folks out there looking for info on this subject :)

Let me just say be careful!!! If you dont want a baby get on something! As we all know after loosing large amounts of weight our harmones regulate and we are easy targets for pregnancy as I found out only 6 months after my surgery!. After the birth of my son I got the IUD Mirena. It has been a beautiful thing for me. In the past I was on the shot which was also a beautiful thing as both of these options, for me at least, caused me not to have a cycle. I did however have some weight gain with Depo tho. The patch only works for people of a certain weight under 200. My doc originally told me no more than 180#. As I learned from my 1st child the rythme method doesn't work very well either. I mean really trust a man to pull out get real . My suggestion would be to try the nuva ring. I haven't tried it myself, but I do know of a few that have and they liked it. Hope some of this will help!

I have been on depo before and after and have had no problems whatsoever. I love it.

Buffy,

Birth control is a personal choice to each individual. There are a lot of good effective safe methods out there. The choices truely come down to how much you want to think about your birth control method. Condoms really do work well if used consistantly and correctly, with spermacide. Unfortunately alot of people only use them when they feel like it is unsafe and then they don't use the spermacide. As you stated the pill and the patch are really not an option for post wls, for the weight and malabsortion issues. The ring is a good choice since it is a once a month deal. You just have to remember to put it in and take it out when necessary. Depo is a very effective alternative. But you are correct, it can contribute to weight gain. However, I know of many people on depo who have no problem with it what so ever. I personally think the Mirena IUD is the best way to go. I know the doctor's in the practice where I work will place the Mirena in women who have not had any children. The deciding factor is the size of the untried uterus. It has to be big enough to fit the IUD. Good luck with your search. I know that you will find the right decision for you. Hugs.

I'm having issues with my cycle. During November I had a period for 4 weeks. I called my surgeon and they seem to think that it is hormones and assured me that it was not malobsorption of my BC pills.

I went to my GYN last week she really didn't tell me anything. She did a uterine biopsy (which should be outlawed in every state...very painful) and scheduled me for an ultrasound to check for cyst or anything else. I haven't heard the results of the biopsy yet so I assume that it was okay.

My cycle has subsided now but I still feel achy and crampy all the time like I'm about to start. I am very concerned. Could my BC pills really not be doing the job anymore but why would I have such a long period. My husband will be glad when I get this all straightened out if you know what I mean.

Any one experience the kind of problems after WLS? BTW...I am 10 weeks post op.

llblount,
This may sound dumb, but is your Arrival Date correct? You say you are 10 weeks post op, but the date only gives you 5 weeks.

It's easy to do a typo; in my first post I added 10 lbs. to my weight!

To all,
Whoa! Am I glad I no longer have to deal with birth control issues! (Prostate cancer & endometrial cancer took care of that) You gals have so many more choices than we did. I will say that we used the condom for years with great success. We did use an IUD between child #1 & #2. Both methods worked well for us for about 30 years.

Okay, so you all have me terrified. I've been on Yaz for the last month. My boyfriend and I have not used any other form of bc beside the pill. I never though that bc pills would be a problem for us. I'm contacting my doctor first thing tomorrow to find out.....I'll let you know what they say!

I say if the ring feels right for you then go for it. I know my SIL was on the patch but her Doc took her off because of the higher risk of Blood Clots than the traditional pill. Depo is also a good choice. I know many who take it and have not gained weight. I took it for years (stuck myself in the butt every 13 weeks) and I truly don't believed it played any part in my MO. You just have to do what feels right for you. And with the ring you can stop using when you want. I know it took me a year to get my period after taking Depo. Hope this ramble helps

I've been on depp provera since May 1996, long before have WLS in Sep 2005, Other than some very minor spotting, I've had no problems.

I'm taking it not so much as birth control, but for my endrometrosis, has it been a great help!! Before I knew that I had endrometrosis, I had to roll over on the pallet I was sleeping on, and get on all fours just to get up, I was in so much pain!!

Hello. Good topic... very relevant... I too am not ready for a child. I am just not at that place and my boyfriend doesn't want kids. I have never wanted children either, but for some reason my biological clock must have been jammed, or the battery might have been dead or low. Now, someone must have changed the battery, or whacked it good, cause I am starting to get some activity in the "desire for a child" neighborhood. Not any time, however.

I was on a birth control pill that could be chewed. Not all pills work well if you chew or crush them. But this one was made specifically to be chewed. After consulting with my gynocologist, he put me on the patch... mentioned the IUD method but suggested the patch. I like it, I don't like it. Depends on what day it is! I don't like the unattractiveness of it. I wore a white button down shirt and you could see that blasted patch on my abdomen! I had to peel it off and put it somewhere else. They also cause some adhesive grossness around the edges. Mine do not normally fall off... but recently, I did have two that made their way off. I think it was a bad batch as they were both from the same box.

The malabsorption is a real problem. I know of several gastric bypass patients who are pregnant right now. I do not think any were planned. One girl was only 7 mos out from her surgery. I hope and pray it doesn't happen to me, but I am taking the patch and we use condoms as well. But, you really never can prevent it 100 percent unless of course you abstain. Hey I abstained for 37 yrs! How many 37 yr old virgins do you know? Let's just say weight loss surgery did a LOT for me! lol