Question:
Why won't my OBGYN prescribe me Birth control???

I am ins approved but do not yet have a surgery date, and my Dr doesn't want me taking BC. Said to just use condoms...right... Is there some reason I should not be taking them pre-op, and what about post op? I have read previous questions about this and there seems to be no clear answer.    — Carra M. (posted on July 27, 2004)

July 27, 2004
They dramatically increase the risk of blood clots, but you really should ask the doc why... Are you a smoker? thatts really dangerous for clots
   — bob-haller

July 27, 2004
Obesity, High Blood Pressure, and my age was the reasons they would not put me on BC's. All these increase your chances of strokes.
   — jenafwife

July 27, 2004
Many WLS make you quit BCP's before surgery so that you are off of them at least 1 month. It has totally to do with blood clots. I've even heard of some docs saying you have to quit Depo shots which is nuts as it stays in your system for a long time. The estrogen in BCP's is the greater risk than the progesterine in the Depo shots. I imagine your doc is thinking why start them and then have to quit right away as it does take a while to adjust sometimes. After surgery they are not a good choice as they are not typically fully absorbed. I know there are many on this website that disagree and still use them but in my opinion they are playing russian roulette with a child's life. Yes many go on to have healthy children that concieve in that early PO period, but why risk your health and a baby's health. So I would go with something much more guaranteed and accepted as being reliable after WLS. If children are not in the near future then Depo shots are a good option. However, there is the Nuva ring, IUD's etc. Personally I would not rely on condoms and spermicide, especially after WLS. It is a known fact that many women suddenly become fertile after years of no chance of ever conceiving. Even though I had been on Depo shots for 8 years when I had my WLS I could tell that at about 3 months PO my body went through some major hormonal changes. It took about a month to subside. If I wasn't on the Depo one can only guess what might have all gone wacko. If this doc isn't willing to discuss this in detail and give you reasons you understand and can agree with then it's time to find another OB/GYN. You need someone who will respect you and work with you. Me, I made sure I wasn't going to come up pregnant. I not only continue the Depo shots to keep the hormone issues in my body in balance but I also got my tubes tied. Can you say paranoid! At 43 I was not interested in taking any chances. These are definitely options out there for you but you need to understand what they are and what is good and bad about them. Being informed is critical!
   — zoedogcbr

July 27, 2004
The reason not to take BCP's preop is because of the increased risk of blood clots. At my yearly physical a couple of weeks ago, I asked my OB/GYN about taking them postop (not for BC, to relieve some big time heavy periods) and she didnt recommend it due to the malabsorption from the WLS. If I were you Id ask the doc about another method of BC in addition to the condoms (spermicide, IUD, diaphragm?) Good Luck!
   — Kris T.

July 28, 2004
I had to go off of my birth control before surgery because of the risk of blood clots. I am two months post op and am starting back on my NuvaRing now. I probably could have started back on it last month but I just finally went to my ob/gyn. Ask your surgeon about it. I'm sure it is just a temporary thing.
   — Donna F.

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