Metformin post-op?

[rivergirl 12]

For those of you post-op, has your dr put you back on metformin or did you ever stop taking it?

I was sleeved 11/21/13, and went to a new family doctor today. I moved to a small town recently, and the healthcare isn't quite what I'm used to. This dr had very little experience with weight loss surgery, and we talked about how I'd like to try to get pregnant soonish (I'm almost 36).

We've been through fertility treatment pre-op and I always ovulated, but never got pregnant, so I'm a little concerned that weight loss won't help me. She told me it's simple - we'll just put you back on metformin. I told her my surgeon took me OFF metformin because it'll make my blood sugar too low, and she assured me that he took me off metformin before surgery because he didn't want to tax my liver with it if I became dehydrated post-op.

Just wanted to see what your experiences were...I kind of think she's an idiot, but she's one if the best drs here

[Pepper123 320]

Hiya...i think when u loose weight is a great chance u will get pregnant....good luck..Don't know about Metformin...i would hate to be back on byetta after surgery..ugh

Edited August 27, 2014 by Pepper123

[KarinaVSGinTX 1]

I am actually looking forward to seeing the responses to this post. My OBGYN put me on Metformin a week ago, but I've been afraid to take it. He put me on it to keep my ovaries healthy until I try to get pregnant again.

[Rena's got this 274]

I think she might have her medications mixed up. I came off Metformin months before my surgery because my body was no longer able to tolerate it. I was having low grade fevers every other day, and nausea. My gastric doc told me it was the Metformin and when I came off of it, everything went back to normal. He said that Metformin was not meant for long term use, which was why my body was starting to reject it.

[blondebomb 580]

I'd like to know why these drs feel the need to add metformin? I have not taken it since surgery. They took my bs levels 2 x a day it was in 70s compared to 120 to 150 preop...I think I would talk to surgeon or ur endocrinologist about that. I don't understand. ..I wouldn't want my b.s. dropping too low an cause other symptoms. .hope someone else gets in on this thread.

[blondebomb 580]

I just seen that someone was put on it for healthy ovaries??? Might have to Google this one. I sure wouldn't want other side effects from it when it's really not needed..I have read some where about taking kelp for infertility or not ovulating properly? I would look into the kelp or seaweed...I'd chk that out.. I have a friend who her Dr said she wouldn't have kids bc she has pos. ..that's not always true! An that's when I came across the info on kelp or seaweed. ..

[blondebomb 580]

For those of you post-op, has your dr put you back on metformin or did you ever stop taking it?

I was sleeved 11/21/13, and went to a new family doctor today. I moved to a small town recently, and the healthcare isn't quite what I'm used to. This dr had very little experience with weight loss surgery, and we talked about how I'd like to try to get pregnant soonish (I'm almost 36).

We've been through fertility treatment pre-op and I always ovulated, but never got pregnant, so I'm a little concerned that weight loss won't help me. She told me it's simple - we'll just put you back on metformin. I told her my surgeon took me OFF metformin because it'll make my blood sugar too low, and she assured me that he took me off metformin before surgery because he didn't want to tax my liver with it if I became dehydrated post-op.

Just wanted to see what your experiences were...I kind of think she's an idiot, but she's one if the best drs here

Just wanted to share: it took me a yr an half to get pregnant with my first..I had been on demulin bc pills for 2 yrs...it took awhile to get out of my system an I also had pos. .then it took another yr 5 yrs later an on bc pills again to get pregnant. In fact the night I got pregnant we had drank red wine..I was told red wine kills off male sperm..I was trying for a girl..my goodness it wrkd! ! Hang in there!! Don't give up..this was my experience. .just seemed appropriate to share..I was in my middle 20s I'm 50 now...best wishes sweetie: )

[AngPel72 5]

I have PCOS and have been on metformin for years. It has helped me immensely by allowing me to cycle and feel less hormonal and helps with sweat cravings. I had the sleeve 9/3/14. I have not been on metformin since a week before surgery (liquid diet). I am getting a glucose monitor to track my sugar levels. This will help determine if I still need the medication. Concerning babies, my suggestion is to see a fertility specialist. You will have to travel but it is well worth it. A consultation should be covered under your insurance. Ask him/her about metformin, pregnancy, sleeve, age, etc. if you are in western pa see dr Robert Collins! I have two beautiful children ????❤️

[rivergirl 12]

Just wanted to update this thread since I saw my surgeon last week. I asked him about the metformin and he said "no way!". He explained it in more detail - metformin increases our sensitivity to insulin. Before surgery, not a problem because we're making a ton of insulin. As we lose weight, not only does our insulin resistance go away, but we produce less insulin as well. If we add Metformin, we will become too sensitive to insulin and our blood sugar will get too low. Long term, this can make us hypoglycemic. And what is the fix for low sugar? Eating something. So we'd just be shooting ourselves in the foot for weight loss.

He did give me the green light to get pregnant, so I have an appt with on OBGYN in a couple weeks to do baseline fertility tests. Fingers crossed!