Stop taking oral contraceptives?

Hi. My doctor advised me to stop taking the birth control pill before the surgery since it increases blood clots. Wondering if anyone else had this experience, and if so if you stopped at the last cycle of pills before the surgery or you stopped like a week before and let the cycle fini****self, if you know what I mean. Thanks! -Stephanie

I was told to go off the pill 1 month before surgery and stay off it for 1 month after surgery. That said, my surgeon told me oral birth control pills were a thing of the past. The pills relie on stomach absorption and in GBP there is malabsorbtion. So the pills efficacy can drop from 99% to say 95% - who knows. So I spoke with my OBGYN and she advised me to start on the NuvaRing - which is a a ring inserted into the vagina once a month. The ring releases hormones for 3 weeks and then you take it out for a week to get your period. I am 2 months post op and just started on the Nuvaring. So far so good. I don't even know it's there. But Dr. Kurian also advised me to use 2 forms of birth control for the 1st year - better be safe then sorry. (Especially as I desparately want a baby ...) Good luck. Ann

Stephanie: I would 100% agree w/ this advice, blood clots can kill! Surgery puts us at risk of clots...Now I see you are a lapbander, in RNY as the other poster stated can not trust BCP's (absorbtion issues) ever again, but w/ lap band you may be ok, here is the concern if you are vomiting w/ the pill? Humm who knows about effectiveness! Nuvaring is an option, one I used for a while but caused irritation to self and my hubby, once my wt was under 198# (*due to efficacy less over that wt) I tried the patch (orthoevra) that had such wicked side-effects such as SEVEERE breast tenderness to the point a tsirt hurt/leftme sobbing, had to stop (I tried it 5 months!). As a 13 yr pill taker preop it was sad to see the pill go, but I have found a even better option for me, the Mirena IUD! I have not had kids and do not plan on it but now have 5 yrs to make up my mind! I have had it 2 yrs and it is awesome! No cramps, no side-effects and no periods to speak of! Insurance paid for it totally! May want to think about that or discuss options w/ OBGNY even preop! I personally woould stop the pill sooner than later even a few cycles preop! 2-3 months would only be better! Besides even w/ the pill the stress of surgery, anesthesia, trauma etc may make your menses outtawhack! I had mine like preop then a week after then again in a week! It is weird! Be well! Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=c1132518510 "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"