Pregnancy Prevention Requirements/Recommendations After Surgery

[NoKo]

Has anyone refused or just plain not take any birth control methods after surgery? My doctor requires it, but I'm not sure yet how I'm going to explain to them that I can't (for religious reasons).

Best,
NoKo

[MystiGal]

I was told to stop taking birth control because it wouldn't work for up to 18 months.

[while.im.still.young]

Explain it just like that. "I know you require post-op birth control, but for religious reasons, I just cannot use them." I doubt there will be much your surgeon will be able to do about it except advise you to be EXTRAAAAA precautious ANY way that you can.

[Msvetrn]

Has anyone refused or just plain not take any birth control methods after surgery? My doctor requires it, but I'm not sure yet how I'm going to explain to them that I can't (for religious reasons).

Best,
NoKo

I dont think a doctor can "require" you take birth control!

[Tynettamd]

The doctor can require that you have to be on birth control as a part of the program. They can't make her and I understand her reasoning....but considering that she hasn't had the surgery yet.....they can either work with her or decide that they can't move further....I hope that the Dr will be willing to work with her.

[krystal<3]

My Dr told me he recommended me to wait 18 months but he didn't force me. A Dr can only suggest

[MysticalMaybe]

Just tell your doctor you don't need it. I don't want to pry into your life but if you are having sex it is very easy to become pregent after the surgery and it is not good for a baby during that time because our bodies are not producting (we are not eating enough) Folic Acid. So It is told to everyone getting the surgery to be put on birthcontrol so you will not become pregnet for at least a year to two years after having the sleeve. The pill will not work anymore either. A pregnet woman not getting enough Folic Acid may have a baby with birth defects so I really think you should talk to someone about this. Your doctor should be someone you can talk to about anything.

If you are not having sex just tell him or her you are not having sex and you don't need any kind of birthcontrol.

Your Doctor is only looking out for you during this time.

[NoKo]

I totally get why a doctor would recommend, even require their patient to avoid pregnancy for the first year after surgery. However, after study and discussion between my husband and I, we can't in good conscience go against our faith. This means for us that any kind of method to control when a pregnancy occurs is out.
So I was wondering if there's anyone out there either in a similar situation, or who has just decided for their own personal reasons that birth control methods weren't right for them. For instance, even aside from religious beliefs, when I did go on hormonal-based birth control methods before, they made my emotions all crazy and I got off them as soon as I realized what was causing it.
I realize that the surgeon could refuse to perform surgery if I don't "comply", and that does worry me. But that's in God's; I'm doing my part to meet the other requirements.

[Tynettamd]

good luck to you......I pray you have a Dr that will work with you....keep us posted

[Florence]

Can I ask why the pill wont work anymore? I was taking it prior to surgery and was going to take it again in a couple of weeks, to make sure I don't get pregnant!

[LisaI]

You definitely should NOT get pregnant during that first year, but no doctor can REQUIRE birthcontrol. He can explain the risks to you and the baby, he can explain the dangers involved, but then the decisions are yours. If you refuse to use any, I urge you to do anything you ARE able to do, from calendars and tests tracking your ovulation, to coitus interuptus. or abstinence completely during the most dangerous week....sadly because our cycles get massively messed up after surgery, its easy to get pregnant on any day of the month.

[lyrehc]

If a doctor feels that you will not comply with part of the program (avoiding pregnancy is part of the program for most doctors) there is a possibility that whoever you are seeing will decide not to do the surgery.

Although you state you are against hormonal birth control, do you use NFP? TCOYF has excellent results for people who take their temps at the same time every single day, who monitor cervical mucous and cervical position, etc. If you do and can document your charting prior to surgery and the doctor can see you understand avoiding pregnancy is important for your health and well-being and the health and well-being of a potential baby, that might be enough to give your surgeon the confidence you will comply with the program.

[MysticalMaybe]

Can I ask why the pill wont work anymore? I was taking it prior to surgery and was going to take it again in a couple of weeks, to make sure I don't get pregnant!

I was told by my Nut that Birth control pills don't work for a lot of women after surgery because the amount of hormone being released into your bloodstream from the fast weight loss and it is overwhelming the pill durning this time. It is also not being absorb like it normally is. It may not even work at all. She and my Doctor is asking for another birthcontrol methed for me to get and to also use condoms during this time too just to make sure I don't get pregnet.

she also told me that you can't take the pill durning the first 4 days after surgery because its not a chewable.

I know all doctors and Nuts are different. I'm just sharing what mine has said.

[Its_Me]

My doctor never even mentioned birth control at all. Maybe cause I"m old!!

[MysticalMaybe]

My doctor never even mentioned birth control at all. Maybe cause I"m old!!

I'm suprised that your doctor didn't put you on anything. (and by the way you are not old) But I think they are just noticing this as more women get the sleeve.

My doctor told me that she had a woman get pregnet in her late 50's and she went thru menopause years before the surgery! She also said that it is happing more and more with the Sleeve so that is one of the main reasons she wants me to double up.