Birth control= weight gain?

[PissiChrissi 200]

So prior to my surgery on 4/20 my boyfriend and I didn't use birth control. Because of my weight, it would have been difficult for us to get pregnant. We don't really want to, but we were of the mindset that if it happens it happens.

Post surgery, if it happens its a big deal and a bad thing for the first year. My gyno suggested iud, but I've heard too many horror stories from close friends and everyone seems to know someone who's had issues with it. I know there are plenty that don't, however the risk doesn't seem to outweigh the reward for me. I'm also not really into the idea of having to go in and have a procedure should we change our minds and want kids.

So my gyno wasn't into giving me a pill because she did a little research and found it could be less effective if you have gastric sleeve surgery. My surgeon said no, it's fine and my gyno agreed to prescribe it for me.

After picking up my pills I started to be concerned with weight gain which I know is a very common side effect of the pill. I read up on the pill I was prescribed and found all kinds of women posting that it made them gain weight and now I'm terrified.

We really don't want to go back to condoms, but we really also don't want to yet pregnant! It's become a real problem and a huge stressor for me! Help friends! What's your advice other than just get the iud. I'm not willing to do it even if you dont have issues with it.

Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

[WitchySar 244]

I gained a good amount of weight on hormonal birth control. One of the worst side effects in my opinion. Have you considered a diaphragm and spermicide?

[Kyn13 215]

It's going to be a side effect of most if not all bc but with the pill it also doesn't take very long to leave ur system once u decide you want to start trying for kids. I will warn you I've had the shot and hated it not only does it make u gain at of weight but makes u unable to lose it

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using the BariatricPal App

[Blueyes1976 2]

I started taking my pill again 1m after surgery. I have have NO ISSUES with it at all.

[LDE83 1]

I haven't had my surgery yet, hopefully October, but when I started the process I started the NuvaRing and did not gain any weight. This is the second time I've used it and did not gain weight last time either. Just a thought!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[ange117 93]

I've been taking the pill for over a month now (surgery 4/4) and I've been continually losing weight the whole time!

[KristenLe 5,979]

I would reconsider the IUD. I don't know what horror stories you've heard but there are very few complications. Insertion can be uncomfortable for a little while but when it is time to have children - it gets removed (not a major procedure). It's so important that you wait to get pregnant.

[asmallerme2016 33]

I have the 10 year copper paraguard IUD and I'm fine. Had it for 2 years now no complications and no problems. My cousins all have it and 2 friends and none of them have issues. It's a simple in office procedure to insert and remove.

Sent from my iPhone

[pewpewpewpew 83]

Reconsider the iud! There are 3 on the market now. Skyla-for women who have not had children yet-it contains hormones and is smaller mirana -the big sister to Skyla and Paraguard which contains copper and no hormones.

I didn't have weight gain using the nuvering.

I did have issues with the arm implant gaining weight. So in september I will go back on the pill when it's removed.

Non hormone methods-diaphram or cervical cap.

Hopefully in a couple years I can just get my tubes tied and be done.

Sent from my SM-N900V using the BariatricPal App

[jea(n__n)ette 98]

The general side effect of hormonal birth control is weight gain, but by no means is it enough to negate your WLS. My uterus was too small for Mirena (I wanted something with the greatest side effect of stopping my period) so I ended up with the Nexplanon. It totally beats having to remember taking a pill at the exact time every day.

[Kyn13 215]

I've had in the copper iud and the arm insert both maybe me bleed for 4+ months. I've also taken the shot for 8+ yrs the big down side for that is its harder for you to lose weight while on it and made me gain about 10lbs for each yr I had it. The other down side is it takes soooo much longer for the shot to work out of your system then most other birth controls. Months other birth controls take 1-6 months to work out, the shot can take 1 yr +.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using the BariatricPal App

[WitchySar 244]

One thing to remember is that no birth control is 100% effective. I say this as someone who has gotten pregnant 6 times while using various forms of birth control (3 of those were while on the pill). So whatever you choose I suggest using at least 2 different forms at all times.

[CaPoppy 22]

I just got the Nuvaring, and so far its been fine. There are side effects to all of the choices, and if you search you will find people who have had terrible experiences with every type of BC available. Just pick the one that will work the best for your lifestyle. At worse you hate it and in a few months you can switch to a different one. It happens.

[Faitheyfoo 6]

The IUD is amazing, and yeah there are people that have had complications from it. But you will be having a lot more complications if you get pregnant within a year of having the sleeve. Birth control pills cause weight gain and after surgery pills are the easiest to get down. I would suggest the IUD, the procedure takes like 15 min and you just need to rest the rest of the day after getting it placed. If you decided you want kids all you do is get it taken out and bam! You can start baby making. Lol

Sent from my SM-G935T using the BariatricPal App

[Lily461 33]

I had a Mirena IUD for several years and it was fantastic. The current IUDs are NOT like the old scary kind. The Mirena is a tiny piece of soft plastic which releases a small amount of progestin. Even better, your periods will get lighter and possibly disappear. Nothing but good things to say about the IUD. I was also on birth control pills for many years and had no trouble with them. In fact, I was in the best shape of my life while on the pill.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App