I refilled my prescription for birth control over the weekend. Took 2 pills for sunday and monday. I happened to read the folded instruction insert and found that I should stop taking these pills a MONTH BEFORE elective surgery! :omg:

What should I do?? My surgery is set for the 23rd. I called my doc's office; explained my situation. When I asked when I'll hear from them, she says this is not considered an emergency so probably late afternoon tomorrow. (I can understand its not life or death, but I do need an immediate answer..)

Can anyone help??

Thank you. :confused:

Unfortunately no one here can tell you for certain what the office will say, tomorrow is fine to hear what they say. One more day likely won't make a huge difference.

Some surgeon's do not want you taking them, others say it's fine. The concern is the BCP increases your risk for bloodclots, so sometimes you'll end up with a few more blood-thinner medication shots, sometimes not. The key is to WALK WALK WALK. Get up and MOVE.<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

faithmd,

Thank you for a quick response! Just as I clicked the submit thread button, I realized I should contact my surgeon! haha. (Im just so nervous.)

Well, he says if my cycle ends before surgery, I should just stop taking them and restart after. I probably wont restart til january. What do you think??

Are you a doc? Sorry, Im new here. :confused:

Don't worry- I'm a doctor and I took my birth control pills the entire time preop/post op. There is a theoretical risk of blood clots with birth control pills in particular for overweight women or women > 35 but for a surgery like this, the risk is low. Check with your surgeon but I wouldn't stress about it.

Most surgeons will give you Heparin or Lovenox before surgery to prevent blood clots. As for BCPs, it is surgeon preference. Some require you stop them, some don't.

I'm really glad you asked that question! I was thinking about getting back on BCP because I think my hormones are a little out of whack but never thought about how it would or would not affect my surgery. I have my first consultation coming up in about 2 weeks and now I have something else to add to my list of questions. My mother has had some issues with blood clots in her legs and she is a gastric bypass patient. Knowing that causes some extra concern on my part. I'll post again when I find out what my doc has to say about the issue. Thank you!

mcgreen - thank you for the advice. being stressed out is the last thing i want to be!

wasabubblebutt - after realizing that I should be contacting my surgeon, I emailed Nina and she responded immediately! :confused:

mrsjiggles - please keep us updated! when do you think youll get banded?? are you excited?? im more nervous than excited... thank God for this forum and everyone here!!! good luck!

I'm hoping that I will be banded by the first week of January. I'm self pay and I have to come up with the rest of the money. I know I'm probably going to have some pre-op testing but the lady I spoke to at the clinic told me that she has had self pay people have a surgery date 2 weeks after their consult.:clap2:(fingers crossed) If I have to wait later than that, it's likley I wont be getting the surgery until next summer. I'm a full time student.

I AM really excited about the surgery. I'm not getting much support from my family so these boards have helped me to not be so fearful. I have a lot of questions to ask at that consultation but I pretty much have my heart set on it now. I'll be sure to let everyone know what I find out. I'm going to the South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center.

Any suggestions from anyone on how to prepare for this surgery? Is it easier if I start an excersise plan now? Should I try to eat as if I already have the band? ANY suggestions would be helpful. Thanks again everyone..I lOVE YOU GUYS!!!