Question:
Hassel Free Birth Control question!
I am having surgery in about 3 weeks. I am currently on birth control pills. I hear they aren't as effective after surgery. I was wondering if any of you found the best method that is hassel free? Other the Depo that is. I was on it 6 years ago & gained a BUNCH of weight while on it. Also, kind of silly question but being on birth control pills, does that increase your chance of blood clots if you are having WLS surgery? Cause you always hear they increase your chance of blood clots while smoking. I'm not a smoker but I was just wondering. — Allison T. (posted on March 21, 2002)
March 21, 2002
I use the Mirena IUD and love it with no problems at all. No hormones and
it last for 5 years and can be removed at anytime. It is kinda expensive if
your insurance doesn't cover it (which mine didn't). It cost me $820.
— blank first name B.
March 21, 2002
I take birth control pills and have since about a month or more before my
surgery. Prior to that was on Depo shot and as Depo is stored in fat and I
am losing fat, that was not a good choice for birth control. That being
said, you are correct, hormonal forms of birth control are ineffective
during periods of rapid weight loss due to the relationship between stored
hormones and fat in your body. I have not had a problem staying on the
pill but DO NOT RELY ON IT TO PREVENT PREGNANCY, at least for a while after
surgery. Sorry, but you will need to use one of the barrier methods to
prevent pregnancy. Good luck!
— Kierstin C.
March 21, 2002
I have an IUD that was inserted after my RNY. I had to change my method of
birth control because after my surgery for some reason my stomach was not
liking my bc pills and I was very sick. I was unable to eat for a week.
Once I stopped the pills it stopped. I have the T shaped IUD and my
insurance did cover it. I paid my 10.00 co-pay and was on my way. My IUD
is good for 10 years and I never have to remember to take my pill, now I
just worry about my vitamins and calcium pills!
— Tawny F.
March 21, 2002
I am fortunate that birth control will be the one issue I won't have
post-op. My man got "fixed" last year :) Good thing too, my
OB/GYN believes my infertility will be a non-issue after significant weight
loss. (I was fortunate to be able to get pregnant once...I have a typical
teen boy, age 16) If you're married, why not talk to hubby about a
vasectomy? Good Luck and God Bless - Anna
— Anna L.
March 21, 2002
Another vote for the copper IUD. I've had one for over 2 years now, had it
put in 6 months after birth of my son. I LOVE IT. Don't need to think
about it at all. It has made my periods a bit heavier and a day longer,
but I can deal with that. The IUD was completely covered by insurance,
just had to pay my $5 co-pay and that was that! Might be worth looking
into. The copper T is non-hormonal, too. =)
— Sarah C.
March 21, 2002
And ANOTHER vote for the Copper IUD...And I have two friends who swear by
them also, eight years and going strong. "Installation" very
easy, removal by MD even easier. No muss, no fuss. May increase cramping
first 3 months, then it will subside, ibuprofen helps. Don't listen to
horror stories about the "old" IUDs. BUT..MD recommends that you
have had at least one preg/ birth before using this method, and it's not
recommended if you have multiple partners. Check with your doc. Good luck.
The things we gals have to do!!!
— Michelle P.
March 21, 2002
Not an answer but a question on this new copper IUD. I'm seriously
suspicious of this as my mom was hospitalized with copper poisoning and
nearly died back in the 70's due to a copper IUD. Not trying to perpetuate
old horror stories but am seriously interested in this. Do any of you
posters who recommend the new copper IUD know what the difference between
old & new is and how it was made safe?
— Shelly S.
March 21, 2002
The Mirena IUD was just FDA approved last year and has no copper (it has
been used for years in Europe)....but, it is generally more expensive than
the copper IUD. The upside to the Mirena is that you have little to no
periods and it controls the crampings (because it has some sort of hormone
that is released in your cervix every month). Copper IUD wearers usually
have heavier periods with more cramping...but, the copper IUD last 10 years
while the Mirena last only 5 years.
— blank first name B.
March 22, 2002
I couldn't do the IUD because I haven't had kids and my doctor said NO WAY
if you don't have at least one. I, too, gained TONS of weight on Depo and
also had lots of hunger with it (pre-op). As a post-op, I went on Lunelle.
It's a new form of birth control that is the same as the pill, but in an
injectible form. Unlike Depo, it has a good balance of both progesterone
and estrogen, so you still get your period and don't have the weight gain.
Lunelle has worked well for me. I get a shot once a month in the rear end.
— PT LawMom
March 22, 2002
I used a copper IUD for about 15 years and have never had children. I had
NO problems with it. I loved it for all the reasons others have stated.
I'm past the point of needing birth control so that's why I don't use it
any more.<p>Also, Shelley, are you sure it was a copper IUD or was it
the Dalkon Shield. The Dalkon Shield caused very serious problems for many
women and was removed from the market. I think there was a pretty large
class action lawsuit against the manufacturer of it.
— garw
March 22, 2002
Ok, as far as the blood-clotting question, I was in the GYN office
yesterday to get started on birth control, and since I have a history of
blood clotting, the Doc told me he would not put me on birth control pills,
too much risk with the past history. Ask your Ob/Gyn, they would or should
know what is best for you.
— Jennifer L.
March 22, 2002
I have had the ParaGard T IUD in since shortly after my son was born and it
is wonderful! It is the ten year, copper IUD. The best thing about it is
the spontaneity. Nothing to remember to buy at the store, no gels or
creams or anything messy. My problem with pills/shots is that I'm
extremely sensitive to progesterone and I get kind of crazy so this is
perfect for me. The only "side effect" that I have is that when
I had an x-ray of my low back the IUD showed up! The x-ray tech was
confused but it didn't make any difference. If you have had a child and
you are in a monogamous relationship, this is awesome. Also, if you do
want to get pregnant later, you can start trying right after it's removed.
With hormonal methods it may take a few months for the hormones to be out
of your system completely. Good luck!
— cjabates
April 16, 2002
Another options (of course it may seem like a hassle for some), is Lunelle.
I was on birth control pills before surgery because of PCOS (besides the
obvious reasons), to regulate my period. Since the pill doesn't work
anymore like it should, my doctor put me on Lunelle, I pick up the shot
from my pharmacy go to my doctors office once a month and the nurse gives
me the shot.. takes 5 minutes I'm in and out. To me it is SOOO much
better than the pill was, no worry about remembering to take the pill or
none of that. I'm lov'n life. And at least for me lunelle is cheaper than
the pill.
Andrea
lap bpd/ds
11/7/2001
— Andrea N.
April 16, 2002
I was told by my Doctor that the depo shot is different after surgery. So i
started taking it the week after my surgery. And i have lost 85 pounds and
doing great. the lunel(sp?) shot is the depo shot just in a monthly form. I
am hooked on it and will not go to anything else.
— nkoehler88
April 16, 2002
Just my two cents' worth concerning IUDs: I got a Copper IUD a little over
a year ago, and I DO NOT have any children. The doctor who gave me mine
said that as long as the person who inserts it knows what they're doing,
and as long as the woman isn't promiscuous, which increases the chances of
infertility, then ANY woman is eligible for an IUD. In fact, the IUD is
the most common form of birth control among all groups of women in several
countries in Europe and Asia. And most women don't have to worry about
having a reaction to the copper. The doctor told me that some people are
allergic to copper but that they should already know that about themselves
before they reach the age that they would be getting an IUD. The IUD is a
pretty nifty form of birth control, as far as spontaneity and ease of use
go. But my periods are longer, I do spot between my periods, and I have
much worse cramps than I did when I was on the pill. In fact, I was
thinking about having my IUD removed and going back on the pill until I
read that hormonal types of birth control can be ineffective for us RNYers,
at least until we lose all of our weight. But I do understand that women
who have already had children don't usually have the extra bleeding and
heavy cramping like I do because their uterus is kind of stretched out from
pregnancy. Sorry for the long post--before I got my IUD, I researched it
as much as I've been researching WLS. LOL!
— Kristie B.
April 16, 2002
I am also wondering about this birth control conundrum. I am having the
lap RNY sometime in mid-June (no date yet). I have been on the birth
control about six years, and can't imagine switching to another method.
The IUD sounds great, but I have no children as of yet (I am 22) and would
like to start trying in about two years (if plans go as they are). My
boyfriend feels I should stay on the pill and we will also use a barrier
method. However, I find it pointless to take a pill that doesn't work. He
doesn't understand that. So, we are in the middle of this problem. To
make matters worse, I will soon be graduating from college, and
subsequently switching insurance sometime near the end of this year.
ARRRGGHH! Oh well, I guess it'll work itself out. :)
— Maggie C.
April 16, 2002
Before I had my tubal done, I had a Norplant and I loved it! I didn't have
to worry about forgetting to take any pills, didn't have to go get any
shots every 3 months, and it was just all-around very convenient. It lasts
for 5 years, but you can have it taken out any time before then whenever
you're ready to try and have children. I also, got pregnant after mine was
removed, however, I miscarried due to my diabetes. That's why I had the
tubal. You might want to do some research on the Internet about getting a
Norplant.
— SnowWhiteDove459
April 17, 2002
I'm 23 and haven't had kids. The doctor said NO WAY to an IUD for anyone
who doesn't have at least one kid. Five years is a long time, so I chose
not to do Norplant. I, too, gained tons of weight on Depo. Sooo...
Lunelle. It is the birth control pill hormones in shot form. Depo just
has progesterone so your body thinks you are pregnant. Lunelle is a
monthly injection in your rear end with the same hormones as a birth
control pill. Unlike Depo, you get a period every month and it is very
regular (just like the pill). Because it is an injection there are no
absorption problems. I go every month for a 5-minute nurse visit to get
Lunelle and I also get a B-12 shot while I'm there.
— PT LawMom
April 17, 2002
NorPlant is a rather "hassel free" birth control after it's
inserted... You don't have to keep it in for 5 years, it can be removed
sooner when you plan to have a baby. I had mine taken out after 3 years
and was pregnant 2 months later. (Had it taken out Oct 10th, was pregnant
by Dec 21) Good luck to you on your journey! Talk with your OB, they have
a bunch of new options out!
— Elizabeth D.
April 8, 2006
I use the Nuva Ring + vaginal spermacide film. I like the ring bc I don't
have to rember it more then once a month, and it keep all the hormones etc
right where I need them.
— penthilisea
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