Question:
Is is true that birth control pills slow down your weight loss?
I am almost 5 months post-op and very happy with my weight loss so far. I have about 39 more pounds to go until I reach my gaol of 140, I am currently 179. I need to get back on birth control pills, I'm afraid they will slow my weight loss. I need your experiences. thanks. — Tiayuana F. (posted on December 30, 2003)
December 30, 2003
Some birth control pills and other forms of birth control that use hormones
<i>can</i> slow or even stop your weight loss. Pre-op, there
have been two different birth control pills which prevented me from losing
any weight at all with normal diet and exercise (sorry, it was so long ago
that I don't remember their names). Because I had encountered these
problems pre-op, I didn't want to have birth control pills hinder my weight
loss post-op, so I chose the NuvaRing (inserted intravaginally, it secretes
hormones similar to oral BCP). My hope was that using an intravaginal birth
control method would thwart the weight loss-stoppage i had experienced in
the past. After i started the NuvaRing, two months went by with only a
three pound loss (and this was month three and four post-op), and i was
also very constipated. I finally made the decision to stop using the
NuvaRing, and within a week lost five pounds. However, these are just my
experiences, and everybody's body is different. I'm sure there are several
women who use BCP and still lose weight. However, after wasting two months
within my "window of opportunity," I've decided to use condoms
instead of BCP until i've reached goal (30 more lbs.). Good luck to you in
whatever you decide! (Open PROXIMAL RNY 7/7/03, 226/162/132)
— sweetmana
December 30, 2003
I don't think BCP slowed my weight loss (it was the carbs that did that!
LOL). BUT they may not be as effective as they were preop. If you REALLY,
REALLY do NOT want to get pregnant, you might talk with your dr about other
methods.
— ctyst
December 30, 2003
There is a new birth control pill out called Ortho Tri Cyclen LO. It has a
lower dose of hormones which they claim results in less side effects like
weight gain,acne, and facial hair. I was on the regular Ortho Tri Cyclen
and I did put on weight, I am currently off birth control now because I am
waiting to have surgery, but I am planning on starting up again after
surgery with the new "Lo" pill. I like that particular brand of
pill because it really helps clear up blemishes and minor acne.
— Kara J.
December 31, 2003
Our stats are very similar. I'm at 185. I've lost 85 pounds in the 4
months since my surgery and have been taking birth control pills the whole
time. They have never had any effect on my weight loss or my weight in the
past that I've noticed. I've been taking them for years. Of course, I'd
consult your gynecologist, just to be sure. Good luck and great job on
your weight loss!
— jenpatalano
December 31, 2003
I don't think it slowed mine - I lost 101 pounds in 6 months, 163 in a year
and am now down about 175 lbs at 15 months out. However, remember that we
malabsorb birth control meds like everything else. I didn't trust that
mine was working post-op; I kept getting my period on the third week. A
switch to a higher dosage seemed to help and now that I'm under 198 lbs,
I'm on the patch so the malabsorption isn't an issue. (The patch has an
increased rate of failure for those over 198 lbs) If you're sexually
active, I'd recommend using a condom in addition to the pill rather than
relying fully on the pill, because an unplanned pregnancy could REALLY slow
your weight loss! ;-)
Supposedly we're more fertile during this time due to the release of
estrogen from fat cells.
— sandsonik
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