female only Birth Control and Weight Loss

[new_beginnings_ 16]

Hi all,

So to make a long story short, I had the implant, Implanon, placed about three years ago, which is the life span for it. I was really happy with it for a while and then last year, I started noticing more and more side affects. And now since my surgery, which has been about 2 months ago, I have been on and off my period every other week. No seriously, on a week then off a week for two months. I'm not sure if it's from the surgery or if it's because my implant is due to be taken out. Anyway, i'm going to make an appointment with my GYN and I was wondering what kind of birth control I should be looking into. I was on the Depo for a long time, about 4 years, but that was the time when I was gaining weight also so I don't know if there is a correlation. Also my doc said that the depo causes bone loss over time so that was the reason I switched to something else. I have heard some people on here say different things about the hormones in birth control and how that affects weight loss so I definately don't want anything that is going to slow my progress. I would love something that I don't have to take everyday but I'm kinda lost when it comes to this stuff. And I want to start trying for a baby within a couple years. With all that being said, does anyone have suggestions for a good birth control that might check some of these boxes for me? I would appreciate any advice given! Thanks in advance!

[new_beginnings_ 16]

Any advice would help!

[Tiffykins 672]

I just saw this, but I highly advise against Depo. That shot was the beginning of my nightmarish weight gain, horrible periods, and other side-effects. Plus, I've seen way too many women go on it after WLS and A) their weight loss stopped They gained weight so I'm absolutely against Depo.

As for what I would do if we hadn't been TTC, I would have gone with the non-hormonal IUD. I'm kind of weird about having stuff in my body after the band, but at the same time, my husband nor I are huge fans of hormonal birth control. We were a strict condom couple until I was cleared for TTC, and while I know it kills the mood, makes it so unfun, I wasn't willing to put my body through something else. We also used the spermicidal inserts, and those worked really nicely until he developed some sort of sensitivity to them. So, back to condoms we went. Again, I know it's a hassle, takes away from the experience, but pregnancy and having a baby before we were ready would have been very traumatic for us LOL.

[new_beginnings_ 16]

I just saw this, but I highly advise against Depo. That shot was the beginning of my nightmarish weight gain, horrible periods, and other side-effects. Plus, I've seen way too many women go on it after WLS and A) their weight loss stopped They gained weight so I'm absolutely against Depo.

As for what I would do if we hadn't been TTC, I would have gone with the non-hormonal IUD. I'm kind of weird about having stuff in my body after the band, but at the same time, my husband nor I are huge fans of hormonal birth control. We were a strict condom couple until I was cleared for TTC, and while I know it kills the mood, makes it so unfun, I wasn't willing to put my body through something else. We also used the spermicidal inserts, and those worked really nicely until he developed some sort of sensitivity to them. So, back to condoms we went. Again, I know it's a hassle, takes away from the experience, but pregnancy and having a baby before we were ready would have been very traumatic for us LOL.

Thanks for responding Tiffykins! We have not used condoms for probably about 8 years so I don't think we could go back to using them. We have never tried spermicide so that might be an option. I am definately going to check into it. Me and my husband want kids soon but like I have been telling him, my parents, and his parents I want to be healthy before I try to bring a child in this world. But I can feel the clock ticking...

[Tiffykins 672]

Thanks for responding Tiffykins! We have not used condoms for probably about 8 years so I don't think we could go back to using them. We have never tried spermicide so that might be an option. I am definately going to check into it. Me and my husband want kids soon but like I have been telling him, my parents, and his parents I want to be healthy before I try to bring a child in this world. But I can feel the clock ticking...

I was the same way about not wanting to get pregnant while being obese. It's just so dangerous for mom and baby. Not to mention being miserable carrying even more weight.

VSG hasn't really affected being pregnant now that I'm far enough out to eat enough calories and Protein. My labs are still stellar, and the baby actually weighs 2ounces more than most 18 week old babies so there's no doubt that Sprout is thriving even with VSG. Best wishes ! ! !

[myrori 55]

I took the pill 5 days post op, gained 5 pounds and stalled there for a MONTH!

[new_beginnings_ 16]

I took the pill 5 days post op, gained 5 pounds and stalled there for a MONTH!

Wow, that's terrible!

[savedbythesleeve 1]

I have the Mirena IUD with hormones (the 5 year) and I can't tell you whether it is slowing me down with weightloss or not. I had my surgery March 18th, 2011 and since then I've lost 50lbs. However, I have also been having very irregular periods since surgery also and before I never did! I have an appointment tomorrow with my OBGYN and I am going to ask some questions about all of this because I am considering getting it removed. I will repost whatever I find out :-)

[new_beginnings_ 16]

I have the Mirena IUD with hormones (the 5 year) and I can't tell you whether it is slowing me down with weightloss or not. I had my surgery March 18th, 2011 and since then I've lost 50lbs. However, I have also been having very irregular periods since surgery also and before I never did! I have an appointment tomorrow with my OBGYN and I am going to ask some questions about all of this because I am considering getting it removed. I will repost whatever I find out :-)

Yeah please share! Thank you!

[Bemabound 11]

Well, this whole birth control thing sucks!!!! I have PCOS, have been overweight all my life, am 46 years old and have two daughters from China. My hubby(who is also doing the surgery), has low sperm count, three grown sons, will be 55 in a week and of course the girls. We have never had to use condoms but I have been on Birth control pills for many years for the PCOS. Now I'm hearing that any homonal type of bc is a bad idea! Are you kidding me??? At this age we have to use condoms or my hubby needs to get a visectomy? Really??? I only have periods 4 times a year and can even pick when....I don't want one every month...whaaaa!!!! Any thoughts? My PCP says for the hubby to get fixed....it may be our only option! Any of you take bc pills after vsg??? Oh, and if you do take bc pills does it help with the crazy periods I hear about on here? And Mirena is tough to put into someone who hasn't birthed no babies...LOL!!!!! Thanks, any ideas appreciated! Tracy W.

[Mariah 0]

Hi there!

I don't think Depo is a great option for those who have been on it before. My doctor told me the limit is 2 years for being on Depo because it messes with one's bone density, so it's a temporary BC at best. I loved Depo, although I gained 60lbs on it. Not sayin' that the Depo made me pile on the weight, but it must have made me hungrier!

Anyway, my doctor actually recommended Implanon for me (I had my VSG this March, so I'm about 3 months along). She said IUDs or the implant are my best bet, but because I haven't had children she shied away from recommending IUDs. I am going for a consult for Implanon in a few weeks, and I'm hoping it doesn't interfere with my weight loss. Did you have any issues with Implanon prior to the 3yr mark?

Obviously, the pill is also an option. My surgeon's coordinator said oral BC pills don't work as well after surgery, so if you do go on the pill you should use a back up method. The pill certainly isn't for me: why the hell would I take a hormonal pill (considering my hormones are already out of whack) when I'll need to use another method?

I hope you find the right BC for you. Maybe getting a new Implanon would be an option. You said you want kids within a couple years, and your doctor could implant a new Implanon and remove it after two years or whenever you decide you want kiddies. Good luck!

[new_beginnings_ 16]

Hi there!

I don't think Depo is a great option for those who have been on it before. My doctor told me the limit is 2 years for being on Depo because it messes with one's bone density, so it's a temporary BC at best. I loved Depo, although I gained 60lbs on it. Not sayin' that the Depo made me pile on the weight, but it must have made me hungrier!

Anyway, my doctor actually recommended Implanon for me (I had my VSG this March, so I'm about 3 months along). She said IUDs or the implant are my best bet, but because I haven't had children she shied away from recommending IUDs. I am going for a consult for Implanon in a few weeks, and I'm hoping it doesn't interfere with my weight loss. Did you have any issues with Implanon prior to the 3yr mark?

Obviously, the pill is also an option. My surgeon's coordinator said oral BC pills don't work as well after surgery, so if you do go on the pill you should use a back up method. The pill certainly isn't for me: why the hell would I take a hormonal pill (considering my hormones are already out of whack) when I'll need to use another method?

I hope you find the right BC for you. Maybe getting a new Implanon would be an option. You said you want kids within a couple years, and your doctor could implant a new Implanon and remove it after two years or whenever you decide you want kiddies. Good luck!

I would not recommend Implanon because I experienced alot of the side effects. I would definately do your research before you decide. I think I experienced most all of the side effects at some point, even some of the lesser known ones, and I have not had a good experience with it. I'm going to be checking into some non hormonal bc pills or some alternate bc methods.

[Fat4now 7]

I have an IUD and LOVE IT. I have not had surgery yet but I hope to stay on the IUD. Mine is due to come out in August and I hope to have it replaced. I love the feeling of not worrying for 5 years. And if you want to try for a baby--you just have it removed!

[ahoy 3]

LADIES, BEWARE: Depo provera can cause GLUCOSE INTOLERANCE, which is a type of pre-diabetes -- which is why so many women gain ridiculous amounts of weight on it!

They call this an ultra rare side effect, but anecdotally, most women I know who have taken depo have commented on their tremendous weight gain and then said something like "but it was probably because I ate too much." IMO, that is too pat to ignore!

new_beginnings, my husband & I use condoms because I am never going to take hormonal BC again after what depo did to me. When I'm thinner, I am going to get a non-hormonal IUD. They are very effective, tho not perfect, however, no nasty hormones to mess up your body.

If you tolerate hormones well (tho, to me, it sounds like you don't -- you maybe just don't believe those are side fx you're having)... have you looked into 'the ring'? NuvaRing is the name. It is a tiny amount of hormones that are "local" (allegedly) because you insert it into your vagina. One important thing is to check if there's a "weight limit" above which the drug is not concentrated enough to work (but I bet there isn't since it is local).

[new_beginnings_ 16]

LADIES, BEWARE: Depo provera can cause GLUCOSE INTOLERANCE, which is a type of pre-diabetes -- which is why so many women gain ridiculous amounts of weight on it!

They call this an ultra rare side effect, but anecdotally, most women I know who have taken depo have commented on their tremendous weight gain and then said something like "but it was probably because I ate too much." IMO, that is too pat to ignore!

new_beginnings, my husband & I use condoms because I am never going to take hormonal BC again after what depo did to me. When I'm thinner, I am going to get a non-hormonal IUD. They are very effective, tho not perfect, however, no nasty hormones to mess up your body.

If you tolerate hormones well (tho, to me, it sounds like you don't -- you maybe just don't believe those are side fx you're having)... have you looked into 'the ring'? NuvaRing is the name. It is a tiny amount of hormones that are "local" (allegedly) because you insert it into your vagina. One important thing is to check if there's a "weight limit" above which the drug is not concentrated enough to work (but I bet there isn't since it is local).

<font color="#9932cc">It's funny because when I was getting the Depo, the doctor actually told me that the shot does not make you gain weight. It might increase your appetite and you inturn gain weight. Pretty much every person I know that has been on it, gained weight so I would never go back on it. Yeah it was easy but I'm sure I can find other solutions. I'm going to check into the NuvaRing I just don't know about having to insert it. Anybody out there have the NuvaRing? Anyway, I was able to get an appointment next Thursday for my pap smear so I will let you guys know what I decide. Although, I can't get this implant out until the 28th.