Increased Fertility and Bariatric Surgery - Prevention

DISCLAIMER: Now, before I begin, I know this will be a controversial topic. I am talking "planned" parenthood, for the sake of your health and a new life's health post-op. A follow up blog from my co-author MAY follow concerning the OTHER side of the story.

I have PCOS, Polycystsic Ovarian Syndrome. This syndrome can cause missed, or irregular periods, weight gain (which is my issue), hair growth where you don't want it, hair loss (where you don't want it), acne, and what I still suffer from, cysts. Horrible, painful cysts. 

Bariatric surgery, CAN HELP many of the symptoms, but doesn't always get rid of the issue (because, yes, skinny people have PCOS too). How does it help? Well weight loss can increase your fertility, and in our case, it can cause HYPER fertility, as post-op the birth control pill, and the patch are not absorbed as well, and the shot causes weight gain. This leaves, condoms (male or female), abstinence, and the IUD (copper or hormone) as the remaining options. Condoms, which sometimes break, or slip off.... abstinence (which a healthy young couple probably wouldn't do for two years)... and then, the IUD. 

An intrauterine device (IUD or coil) is a small contraceptive device, often 'T'-shaped, often containing either copper or levonorgestrel, which is inserted into the uterus. They are one form of long-acting reversible contraception which are the most effective types of reversible birth control.

I chose to have the Mirena IUD inserted a few months pre-surgery, as this form of contraceptive works for 5 years, pregnancy rates are 0.01%, and the horror stories, while terrifying, happen so rarely that it sounded like the best option for me.  The reason I chose this option? Pregnancy within the first 2 years of bariatric surgery, is a drain on your health, and that of the baby. You cannot absorb vitamins, and neither can your baby.... Also, frankly, I'm not a fan of children, and am far too selfish to bother. If you are considering this surgery, and starting a family (or NOT starting a family) I urge you, men and women, to think about contraceptive, not for ever, just for the first few years while your body recovers, heals, and relearns itself.

"You've changed since you've had this surgery."

Why yes, I have, thank you for noticing.

Pre-op I was a confident person, but I also let people take advantage of me. I didn't fight back when my (now ex) said something hurtful, or when people talked bad about me, because as much as I thought I was fabulous, I didn't want to lose my friends, or my relationship. I was willing to put up with people treating me badly, because I felt like I couldn't get more friends or another relationship.

Now, all of that has changed. My new body (hello small size women's from Urban Planet!) has brought me new thoughts. I am still as fabulous as I was before, just smaller. I am still as bubbly as before, just in a smaller package. I still have the same acne scars, the same emotions (ok maybe a bit more mood swings), as well as the same love of books, music and COFFEE. Now... however, I do not tolerate bull shit. I have come a loooong way (3 months post op, down 74 pounds from July 2014). I have worked my ass off, changed my diet, exercise and am working on my mental health now too.

Mental health is something the Bariatric Center here (Windsor) puts only a small amount of focus on, but, I feel it should be a much bigger focus. You cannot be physically healthy if you are not mentally healthy, and vice versa. To understand this I point to my past: I liked myself, I thought I was rather pretty, I knew I was intelligent, quick witted, and sharp tongued, and I liked that.... BUT (yes big but there), I still let people mistreat me, because I felt, as a fat person, that I would lose people if I stood up for myself. The fact is, I have lost those people, and I am better for it. Your best friend, big, or little, thick or thin, is YOU.

Yesterday (Sunday Sept 13), I brought my 9-year old sister swimming, the private changing room was full, so I just started changing where all the lockers are... Really I don't mind it, we're all ladies anyways, and frankly, boobs exist. We all have 'em. Anyhow, a woman was in the change room (door open) and had asked me how I lost so much weight (74lbs hell yeah!) So I told her, I had bariatric surgery, and made the changes pre-op.

She said, "My doctor keeps referring me to the program in Michigan, but I don't want to change, my boyfriend likes me as I am... He call's me fluffy."

 That actually upset me. "The surgery is NOT about what your BOYFRIEND likes. It is about what makes you happy. Do you want to be able to come here, and climb those stairs up to the watersides without feeling like you are about to have a heart attack?" was my reply.

You climb the 5 flights of stairs, up to the top, and you start to lose your breath part way there. You get to the top and you feel like you are sweating, you are so happy that the line is long, because it will give you some time to stop shaking with exertion before you have to go down the Python.

She looked at me, stunned and said, "That's exactly what happens..." I know. Believe me I know. July 2014 I was 293 pounds, I'm not yet under 200, but I will be. The surgery is never about what other people want, it is about what you want, and what you need.

But the key here was it is about YOU. What you want. What YOU need. If other people, family, friends, lovers, co-workers cannot see that you are doing this surgery, or diet, or whatever you are doing to better yourself, for YOU, then they are the problem. Not you. This journey is about you, not your husband/wife/partner/friends/family/children/aunts/uncles/cats/dogs. This journey is yours to make, and if the people in your life can support that, great. If not, then they are dead weight, that is easy to shed as you travel down this new path. Make your own choices, for you.