Hey Ladies
I have a choice between getting an IUD or taking BC I'm wondering how much meds are actually absorbed after gastric bypass? Any input would be great
Thanks,
Kier

ggeeezzzz kier - you sure think up the questions! i asked the docs a long time ago - and their response was that for bypass surgery, there wasn't much difference in absorption with medication.

that's what they told me. do i believe it? NOT FOR A SECOND! some meds need vitamins and other cofactors to be absorbed, and no one can convince me that the docs know EVERYTHING about how medication absorption is affected.

soooo, have a long heart to heart with all your docs. ask them for references to support their decision.

to my way of thinking, however, with the increased bleeding with their periods that many women get with IUDs, the risk of iron deficiency is EXTREMELY high for you.

on the other hand, maybe an implant or one of those nuvarings might be a way to go. either would avoid the question of absorption.

just a thought!

gee never thought about it. Good question.

Let us know what you find out.

Hehehe, stupid doctors...... I was on oral BC for the first 5 months after my bypass. I had been warned that my fertility was going to go into overdrive without it, post-op. Funny thing was, I was suddenly ovulating TWICE A MONTH............ I had the whole lab tests for 3 months to verify it. I then went to using the vaginal ring. I stopped ovulating but never stopped having a period. I had my fill of that after about 8 months. I went for the hormonal IUD for a few reasons; endometriosis, FMS, and, um, hello, was not ready to get prenant yet, lol. It made a world of difference. Good luck!!

Thanks OS! I was on BCP for the first 4 months post op (after the waiting period was over) and I had my period Nonstop I had to be hospitalized. So I think I'm going to go with the IUD b/c No babies yet! A. 2 dangerous and I don't want to jeopardize my life or theirs and B. I'm too Immature at the moment to be Mommie!
You guys are the BEST resource I'd be lost without you!

Kier

Thanks Kier, I appreciate that.... Having some sad days, and you just made one better!

Angie

The IUD with hormones (Mirena) actually results in less bleeding than the paraguard and might be a good choice at avoiding anemia. I agree the nuvaring would be a good choice and you could actually continuous cycle with that (have a withdrawal bleed every 3-4 months instead of every month).

Pills are rapidly becoming the dinosaurs of the contraceptive world. I have not seen any research on the efficacy of OCPs after bypass surgery. Hmmm...maybe I'll do a lit search today if I have a chance. : )

Thanks so much! I received an email back from my doc who says that it doesn't affect absorption of BCP. However, I'm still leaning towards the Mirena. I was thinking of the nuvaring. but that leads to another in depth Kieran Question. I have CP and from what I understand you need really strong Pelvic Floor Muscles to keep the Nuvaring in. I have spastic muscles and I don't know if that would be good or bad. I was hospitalized for Anemia in January and that was while I was on BC
MW thank you for your input!!!!

I've pushed out four babies and mine stays in! LOL! I'm always willing to give it a try. If a woman feels comfortable using tampons (placing and removing) and they stay in, then I think she would be a good candidate for the ring. So that might help you with your decision making....

You might try it for a few months and see how it works.

My OB/GYN suggested Mirena for me also. I have to get some other medical problems straightened out before I can have it inserted but it was highly recommended due to absorption problems I am having with other medications.

Ok, I'm trying to figure out who you're agreeing with about the nuva ring, lol. What I was trying to convey was that while I used it for 8 full months, I NEVER stopped having my period. I had a continuous flow, not intermittent spotting or anything.
I have never heard of paraguard. I do know that in the 2 years I have had the merena, I only had 2 NORMAL periods (halleluja!!) that were more like heavy spotting and then every once in a blue moon, I will spot.
As for the BCP's, my ob/gyn drew hormone levels after 3 months on them and they reflected almost no change from when I wasn't on them 4 years before, lol. She said, "No wonder your having pms twice a month!!". Yay. From what I understand, it's unheard of, but not particularly surprising for someone has had gastric bypass.
On a more personal note, I am down to a size 10 as of 2 days ago. I still feel so pudgy. Not fat, but I still see alot of swelling around my hips in the front and my abdomen, top to bottom. Yeah, pudgy.

Um, Kier, what's CP? Pardon my ignorance, hehehe.

Angie

Cerebral Palsy
and Congrats on the size 10!!! I'm there myself and no what you mean about Pudgy!

Wow, holy schnikees!! Well, the good thing about the nuva ring is that it is supposed to hang out incircling the cervix. Because it is such a light-weight polymer and so small, the odds of it coming out due to lack of muscle tone seem like they would be extremely low. The only thing I didn't like about the physical part of it was having to struggle with it to get it in place right the first time, every time I replaced it, lol. I have a contracted pelvis, so I don't have any, um, wiggle room, so to speak. No pun intended. But feel free to giggle, lol.

[QUOTE=original_serendipity;1689139]Ok, I'm trying to figure out who you're agreeing with about the nuva ring, lol. What I was trying to convey was that while I used it for 8 full months, I NEVER stopped having my period. I had a continuous flow, not intermittent spotting or anything.
I[QUOTE]
Sorry! I was agreeing with Jiffy. Sometimes I don't have time to read the whole thread. Congrats on the size 10!