female only advice on birth control please :-)

[oldskoolsooz 24]

Hi ladies :-)

My surgeon said no pregnancy until the 18 month mark..so I'm looking into the different options..here's a bit about me.

I'm 39 years old, 5'2", starting weight at pre-op was 250..I lost 10 lbs pre-op. I was sleeved may 1st and am now at 228. I've been stalled for three weeks :-(

Anyway my experience with birth control is the pill which was a very bad experience. It made me psycho..sad and depressed and I gained a lot of weight AND I would be stressed about forgetting to take them. I think the hormones affect me badly. My husband and I have been using condoms and I want something safer. I don't want any chance of s mistake happening! I've read quite a bit on this site regarding both of the iuds..the under the arm stick..the ring. Please share your experiences post-op, your decision and how it's going. Ps..I don't have children but would like to, tho I'm really pushing it at 40+ years..

[MystiGal 143]

I have been on NuvaRing for 9 years and I love it. Although, my surgeon said birth control after surgery will not prevent pregnancy but will help regulate your cycle. Apparently, the birth control obsorbs in our fat cells & with us losing weight at such a rapid pace, it doesn't ever have time to obsorb. I know this is one of those issues that people argue, so I would talk to your surgeon about it & go by whatever they tell you. I quit taking Nuva Ring about a month before surgery, but will definitely start it again at 18 months post op.

[rebecca_dsu 241]

If you do plan to have kids, some folks are leery of the IUD because it can perforate the uterine wall (though the chances are slight). I'm with you and BCP's make me go crazy....b*tch arse crazy...(and I've tried 6 different ones to no avail). So my husband and I are sticking with the condoms and will be extremely careful.

[TBodmer71 245]

I used the "pill" for many years. I was never regular. Gained lots of weight. Tried the norplant (tubes in the arm) and had a bad reaction & gained 80lbs. By the time I was 31 I tried the nuvo ring and loved it! But at age 32 I had my tubes tied. I was looking into having an ablation (which will also cause sterility) and found out I needed a hysterectomy at age 33. OMG! It was the best thing I could have ever wished for!

At age 33 I would never have the embarassment of a leak, cramps, monthly mood swings, etc. I am now 41 years old and do not miss Aunt Flo one bit.

[wendybyrd83 3]

I've used nuva ring for almost 6 months now.. And at first, I had really bad emotional reactions to it. But then that went away. The only side effect I get from it now is low libido... And that sucks! But I rather have that then a baby for now, and allow my body time to heal and do what it needs to do

[Amy0612 3]

I had the Mirena for 4.5 years and it was awesome!! I had zero issues with it at all! (I just had it removed and had the Essure procedure done - I don't have any kids and don't want any ever). If you have questions about Mirena, I can certainly help!

[smorvant22 29]

how does the iud effect you after sleeve surgery?

[Kimmy1813 77]

I had the Mirena for 4.5 years and it was awesome!! I had zero issues with it at all! (I just had it removed and had the Essure procedure done - I don't have any kids and don't want any ever). If you have questions about Mirena, I can certainly help!

When did you have the Essure done? I'm considering doing that, but don't know anyone that has actually had it done.

[sanks51 214]

I've been on the depo injection for the last 16 years. I'm 33 now. I've never had issues with the injection and was big before I started on it. I didn't need to come off for the op, and have no side effects. Weight gain has been linked to the fact it can speed up your metabolism, I'm not sure how true this is. I don't want any children and most definitely don't want any accidents so for me this was the most reliable form of contraception. Since my op, I've lost 104lbs in 7 months and I've had the shot twice post op, so I don't feel it is having an impact on my weight. Downside, it can take time for your monthly to start again so if you're in a rush for a baby then that's maybe something to consider.

[Amy0612 3]

When did you have the Essure done? I'm considering doing that, but don't know anyone that has actually had it done.

I had the Essure procedure about 3.5 - 4 months ago. I had my mirena taken out and the essure put in within about 2 weeks of each other. (I was super annoyed they wouldn't do it on the same day). I've had the HSG test to confirm that the Essure is effective - my tubes are 100% blocked. I couldn't be happier to be sterile. The initial insertion was a bit painful (I haven't had kids and have a tilted uterus so anything that involves filling up the uterus with Fluid isn't exactly fun). If you have more questions, please feel free to ask.

[Kimmy1813 77]

I had the Essure procedure about 3.5 - 4 months ago. I had my mirena taken out and the essure put in within about 2 weeks of each other. (I was super annoyed they wouldn't do it on the same day). I've had the HSG test to confirm that the Essure is effective - my tubes are 100% blocked. I couldn't be happier to be sterile. The initial insertion was a bit painful (I haven't had kids and have a tilted uterus so anything that involves filling up the uterus with Fluid isn't exactly fun). If you have more questions, please feel free to ask.

I was on the pill, but my doctor took me off of them in November due to age and blood pressure. My blood pressure has been great since surgery and I could probably go back on the pill, but I've been looking into the Essure procedure. I'm 41 and do not want to have any more children at my age. My son is 18 and I would be starting all over again....no thanks