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Forced to be put on birth control after surgery?



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I was simply told it is not advisable to become pregnant within the 1st 18 mos. To me, it was a no-brainer as to why. The office didn't say how to keep from becoming pregnant. I didn't expect them to have to tell me that part because I know the options and am also done with childbearing.

Your friend has to do what works for her. If it means taking birth control or being abstinent then that is her decision, not one being forced on her.

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I pulled my bariatric manual out of storage. All it says is that it is best to wait until your weight stabilizes. Nothing else.....no recommendations.

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@@BitterSweet

That I don't know. We have condoms and use them at times. I don't want to use anything for myself.

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@@tfarr, I respect your personal choices. I guess my only piece of advice is to not throw away any of your baby items. Box and store them just in case you may need them later; if not, pass them down to someone else or donate them to Goodwill. This is definitely a difficult situation that you're in. Best wishes to you!

I had my second child at 35 and thought I was too old then, to be honest. Females are born with every single egg that we'll ever have in our bodies - which is why the risks of birth defects and other issues multiplies the older we get. I was no exception. Went into full labor at the end of my 5th month and gave birth to a 24 week micro-preemie.

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Im a retired RN. I have heard physicians be blunt but well meaning. I have a sensitive soul and sometimes it bothers me. Surgeons do their best work when patients are out cold.

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@@BitterSweet

I do have their clothes packed away. I have donated lots of them already, gave some to friends who are expecting and so on.

I almost feel like your judging me on my decision to not take BC? If the good lord above has it in my books for another child, great I would love another baby, " normal" or not.

I'm not going out of my way to get pregnant believe me.

I just wanted to know if this was brought to anyone else? The BC issue after surgery.

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@suzysleever

Lol, I've worked for a couple myself and you couldn't have said it better

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I kinda feel after talking to the bariatric team. I was asked what birth control I would be using after surgery. I said my husband was planning to take care of it before my surgery. The lady said ok but if its not done by your four week check up we will have to put in an IUD. I left with the vision of being strap to a table. After all of the questioning no one ever asked about it again.

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@@tfarr Have you thought about an IUD? They make hormonal ones that function like the pill, but there are also the old-fashioned copper ones. Very effective and 100% reversible if you decide it's time for another baby.

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@@tfarr, no judgement at all. I apologize if it came across that way. Just sharing my own experience and commenting based on your words that you feel you're done having children. Best wishes to you.

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Does it occur to anyone that this person may know how OP feels about birth control and so not to be judged she said the doctors made her take birth control?

I had a co worker once quite judge mental. I didn't give two hoots. She asked me why my husband and I who had been married five years had not had kids yet and if I had problems. It wasn't any of her business I was challenged by pregnancy and was on clomid etc. But I told her I was on the pill and that kind of prevented it.

Well one of the other girls in the office a month later was also eh subject of her questions and angst. She had been married 10 years and hubby already had 4 kids. He wanted to wait until they were in their teens to have another child. She gave some crock and bull story about having a medical condition that required birth control and that getting pregnant would be a miracle.

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First off, this wasn't an issue for me because I'm gay. That said, my doctor RECOMMENDED using two forms of birth control. They explained it wasn't so much about not being able to sustain a pregnancy but if you become pregnant within the "optimal window" to lose weight, it could greatly hinder your total weight loss.

Follow your beliefs. I agree with whoever said, say you will do what they ask, and then do what you do. I know there are other ways to prevent pregnancy (or reduce the risk) such as using the rhythm method, etc.

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You have to also decide whether having a mom that's able to enjoy life with her children is important. Being over weight makes life extremely difficult. A healthy mom is important. If your weight is holding you back from enjoying your children, or will shorten your life expectancy, well, to me the decission would be an easy one. I would want to have a fullfilling and joyful life with my children, and I would take what ever measures are needed. Just my opinion!

Edited by Cody's mom

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Wow, I just really wanted to know if this happened to anyone else lol

It's opening a can of worms as far as birth control goes lol

My friend did depo and doesn't feel the same way i do with BC.

I just thought it was strange. I love all the responses and thank you all for helping me with this question :)

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@@Cody's mom

I agree,y weight is holding me back a lot from enjoying time with my kiddos

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    • 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.
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    • 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. summerseeker

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        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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