Hi, I'm having the gastric sleeve on May 8th and I'm worried about how my Mirena IUD is going to effect the surgery. I know you're suppose to stop all hormonal birth control pills because they increase your risk of blood clots but I can't stop the Mirena. I still have 4 years to go.

Plus my return flights are 5 hours and 1.5 hours. Surgery plus the Mirena plus hours being seated make for Fear Factor in my mind.

If you have the Mirena, what was your experience? Was your doctor concerned at all? Did you have to walk more? Did you do anything special to reduce your risk of clots?

Hello.. I had surgery April 1st. I received Lovenox shots in the hospital but was not given any for home. My doctor just instructed me to walk ALOT to keep the blood flowing and to speed up the herling process. I rarely had a period before my surgery but 3 days after my surgery my period came for a week! Im not sure if it was a result of the surgery or my nerves! All doctors are different my doctor didnt believe the shots were necessary

The Mirena IUD does not contain estrogen, the hormone that can increase the chance of someone getting blood clots. We do not normally recommend women having their Mirena removed before surgery, and if someone is on a combined birth control pill, patch, or ring, they could switch to a progesterone-only method for 4-6 weeks after surgery if needed.

Take all the other precautions that you would when flying, but the info to remove the Mirena is most likely incorrect.

Deborah (CNM)

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I have a mirena IUD and had no problems. The surgeon knew about it and had no issues with it.

I got Mirena for pre op. Because the surgeon recommended it. It won't cause blood clots, he said.

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I also have Mirena, and had no problems. I told the Dr about it and he wasn't the least concerned. I finally got my period just over 2 weeks post op, but I can't tell you how long it last because I'm still on it. lol. Just walk a lot after surgery, which everyone should anyway :-)

Kaiser had us stop all forms of birth control 3 months before surgery. Heparin shots in the hospital hurt like a b....