Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Birth control yes/no/maybe



Recommended Posts

I went to my OBGYN a couple weeks ago because I hadnt had a period in awhile. I told her I did not want Birth control because my husband and I have been "trying" for 2 years so she gave me provera. However, now that I am going to go through the lap band surgery I didn't want provera and would rather do birth control so that 1. I can finally have a period after 114 days and 2. not get pregnant before the surgery (which is weird to me since I've been peeing on a stick for so long). I called my surgeons office and they said I could be on BC but would have to stop it 4 weeks before surgery and not get back on 4-6 weeks after surgery. I then asked them about Provera but she wasnt familiar with it (its to make me have a period with still have the possibility of getting pregnant).

Does anyone have advice or have any experience with this. I've always had irregular periods, however, 114 days is kinda pushing it to ridiculous.

Thanks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

OBGYN says that I need to first have a period before they will proscribe Birth control. So...after I take Provera and start I will get the birth control and just stop 4-6 weeks before I turn in my insurance request. I'm guessing because there wasn't any replies after 208 views this hasnt been an issue...but wanted to let someone know that might of been wondering the same thing as me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm going to side step if you don't mind....

If you have been trying to have children, and have irregular periods.

That is a major comorbitey as far as Ins., and the Doctors.

So make sure you tell your surgeon this.

Meaning approval for you for surgery is a snap.

Once you had your surgery, and have healed, you can again deal with this problem.

But 1 at a time.....

It is also possible that down the road, if you are on the pill for a while, and have lost weight, that once you stop the pill you could end up pregnant.

DON'T hold me to that ! It has been known to happen. The obesity is related to the irregular periods. Ask your OBGYN She should know.

But it works with getting banded.

I wish you luck, and good health, Shirley.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you're taking BC pills you need to continue them for at least 1 year after surgery. The risk is too high to you and the baby if you get pregnant before you lose all of your excess weight.

Plus it's very unsafe for a baby to gestate in an overweight mother. While those babies survive just fine, they have many issues as they grow up so it's to your advantage and your future child's advantage for you to get on birth control (no reason to stop taking it 4 weeks before surgery - say on it the entire time - talk to your surgeon about that) and stay on it for at least 12 months following or until you've lost all of your extra weight then about 3 months after you've reached your goal.

Once you're at that point you'll know how you should eat. This is crucial because it's very likely you'll have your Fluid mostly - if not completely - removed if/when you become pregnant and if you already know how to eat you'll be able to minimize weight gain outside of the necessary 20-30 lbs for your baby.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was told you absolutely can NOT be on birth control 4 weeks out of surgery. The reason I was told to stay off of birth control was because it can cause issues with blood clotting for the surgery. I was told it would be fine to resume the birth control pills as soon as the surgery was over and I started my period. I am only 2 weeks out of surgery and just started back on the birth control pills. Also, I was told by my doctor that a lot of women get pregnant either before or right after the surgery because they don't take enough precautions with birth control when they have sex. I was told that if I wanted to have sex before the birth control pills are back in my system for over a month to make sure my husband wore a condom everytime, PERIOD! I know that you are wanting to get pregnant, but aren't you going to wait until some of the weight comes off? Why are you having surgery if you are trying and planning on getting pregnant any time soon? If I would've told that to my doctor he would NOT have done the surgery. The surgery is for us to get control of our weight and get down to a healthy BMI and weight for us, not to try and have a child right away. Maybe you should rethink the whole idea of having a child anytime soon and just concentrate on one thing at a time!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you for the information...I'm confused why people are thinking my post was about me getting pregnant. My intentions previously was to get pregnant and went to my OBGYN for help. Thats when she told me about the surgery and since have put attempting to have children on hold. My COMPLETE focus is this surgery and getting healthy and am trying NOT to get pregnant in the meantime that is why im asking about birth control. Thank you all for your information I will be starting birth control soon, once I get a period they said they would prescribe it so i've started taking Provera to jump start that. In the meantime we are being safe. I'm not doing this for the main purpose of getting pregnant I'm doing this to be able to maintain a happy and HEALTHY life and can only hope I do have children in the future, and if so, I'm going to be here long enough to enjoy them.

Thanks again!

I was told you absolutely can NOT be on birth control 4 weeks out of surgery. The reason I was told to stay off of birth control was because it can cause issues with blood clotting for the surgery. I was told it would be fine to resume the birth control pills as soon as the surgery was over and I started my period. I am only 2 weeks out of surgery and just started back on the birth control pills. Also, I was told by my doctor that a lot of women get pregnant either before or right after the surgery because they don't take enough precautions with birth control when they have sex. I was told that if I wanted to have sex before the birth control pills are back in my system for over a month to make sure my husband wore a condom everytime, PERIOD! I know that you are wanting to get pregnant, but aren't you going to wait until some of the weight comes off? Why are you having surgery if you are trying and planning on getting pregnant any time soon? If I would've told that to my doctor he would NOT have done the surgery. The surgery is for us to get control of our weight and get down to a healthy BMI and weight for us, not to try and have a child right away. Maybe you should rethink the whole idea of having a child anytime soon and just concentrate on one thing at a time!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was on birth control until the evening before surgery and starting taking it the night of surgery. Seriously. I didn't miss one pill. You'll find 830,927 opinions on here from everyone, but your personal doc will tell ya what's best for you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My doc said no pill for a month before surgery and then a month afterwards.......guess every doc is different.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×