Hello all,

I am hoping to get the Lap-Band in April and I read here and there different people had to stop taking their birth control pills before the surgery. I am on Depo-Provera (the 3 month shot) and I don't know if this could prevent me from having surgery when I want to? I am due for my next shot in April so it wouldn't be a big deal to get it after the surgery, but would they make me wait an extra month for all the hormones to get out of my body?

Any insight would be helpful!

Thank you!

Hello all,

I am hoping to get the Lap-Band in April and I read here and there different people had to stop taking their birth control pills before the surgery. I am on Depo-Provera (the 3 month shot) and I don't know if this could prevent me from having surgery when I want to? I am due for my next shot in April so it wouldn't be a big deal to get it after the surgery, but would they make me wait an extra month for all the hormones to get out of my body?

Any insight would be helpful!

Thank you!

Hey girlie, I would start with asking your surgeon what he requires. Personally, I take the birth control pill - my surgeon knows I do and I was not told to stop taking it at all before. As a matter of fact I ended up taking an extra week in my 3 week set of pills so that I didn't end up with my period during surgery (no thanks).

Good luck! I'd give your surgeon a call see what they have to say

I don't think the shot would effect the band. My Dr. recommended holding off the pill for 2 weeks after surgery, because the pill may get stuck in my swollen band area. I resumed the pill this week (2 weeks post op) and have not had any problems - probably because the pill is so tiny. But I don't think it has anything to do with the hormones, just the actual swallowing of the pill. I wouldn't just take my word for it though. Ask your Dr. about it to be certain.

It doesn't have anything to do with swallowing the pills. I had to be off my birth control (nuva-ring) for 30 days prior to surgery, and was told I could go back on it immediately following surgery. Not every surgeon requires this, though, so make sure you talk with him about it well ahead of time.

Thanks all--I'll give the office a call to find out.

it has to do with blood clotting. even if your surgeon doesn't require it, I would still consider it!

I Just Asked My Doctor About This. I Am Being Banded On 3/24/08. I Am Scheduled For My Depo Shot On 3/26/08. My Doctor Said I Can Get The Shot.

Does anyone know if having an IUD will effect things? I'ts non-hormonal, so I don't think blood clots would be an issue- I'm having it implanted next week, and would hate to have to have it removed for surgery. I don't have a band date yet, but I am assuming sometime the end of April.

First, ask your surgeon. That being said, I went to a 6 hour orientation the other day that said no birth control with estrogen for at least 3 months before surgery. It is because you can bleed more. Ask your doctor for sure.

a girl at my orientation asked about the mirena IUD...and the surgeon said that wouldnt be a problem...but i'd still ask

I have the Mirena IUD and have had it for about 2 years before the surgery.

I had my surgery and was able to keep my IUD in. I had the mirena IUD that releases hormones.

My doctor did put me on anti-clotting injections for a week and I also had the compression cuffs on my legs for about 12 hours post-op.

Ask your dr. about these things.

I just got an email back from my doctor's office saying that Depo shouldn't interfere with the surgery (probably because it doesn't have estrogen, it's only progestin). She said to feel free to talk to the surgeon about it when the time comes, but she doesn't see any problems with it.

Mirena is also progestin-only, FYI, so that makes sense if people have to stop pills (which usually contain estrogen) but not the IUD. Not sure what's in Nuva-Ring.

I take the Seasonale pill (the one where you only have a period every three months) and I didn't have to stop taking it. I had read about it on these boards and asked and he said no. I think all surgeons are different. Good luck with your surgery!

Ask your Dr- I take orthocyclen and took mine with no problem. I asked my surgeon about it and he said since it was small that it was okay to take.