When you are considering undergoing any type of surgery, it is vital that you understand the possible risk factors and complications that may be associated with it. Your surgeon will have discussed these with you and made you aware of the recovery times. They should also have a full understanding of your medical history, including knowledge of any medication that you take on a regular basis: this will include the contraceptive pill. You will probably have questions related to stopping birth control before surgery and may have already asked the question ‘should I stop taking the pill before an operation?’ In this article we will look at:
- Why you need to come off the pill before surgery
- What happens when you come off the pill?
- When can you restart birth control after surgery?
Hopefully we can provide you with the answers you require here, but if you have more questions, it is imperative that you speak with your GP or surgeon.
Why do you have to stop taking the pill before surgery?
In the UK, nearly 15% of women between the ages of 15 and 49 years old take the contraceptive pill. It’s understood that this is a safe method of contraception that can be used for many years, up to the time a woman enters the first menopause stage. Providing you are otherwise healthy, there shouldn’t be any issues. So, stopping the pill before surgery might seem like an odd thing to do. Why do you have to stop taking birth control before surgery?
If you are instructed to stop using birth control before cosmetic surgery, it’s typically to avoid the risk of blood clots. Although rare, these can occur for a few reasons:
- Although rare, taking the contraceptive pill can directly lead to developing blood clots or even deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- During your recovery period, you’ll be advised to rest as much as possible which means not moving as much as your body is used to, which can also develop blood clots.
- Surgery under general anaesthetic can also increase the risk of blood clots.
So, if you’re still thinking. ‘Should I stop taking the pill before an operation?’ the simple answer has to be, ‘yes.’
How long before surgery should I stop contraception?
Patients are typically advised to stop taking the pill 4-6 weeks before the date of your surgery, but this time frame could depend on what contraceptive pill you take. For the best advice, please consult your GP.
How to come off the pill safely
There is no specific way to come off the pill and you can stop taking it whenever you like. Once you stop, your menstrual cycle will need time to readjust which will in turn lead to an irregular cycle for a while. Again, we advise anyone to consult with their GP before stopping so you know what to expect in terms of potential side effects and how long they can last for.
It is important to remember that as soon as you stop taking the pill, your risk of becoming pregnant increases straight away. This is why it is so important to have additional forms of contraception in place prior to stopping taking the pill.
When can I go back on the pill after surgery?
Following on from any surgical procedure it is important to consult your doctor or surgeon to establish when the best time is to start taking the pill again. The general consensus is that you should wait a minimum of two weeks after regaining full mobility and after you have had a period, before starting to take the pill again. Your individual make up will determine what the best course of action will be for you, so do take advice from the experts. These guidelines only apply to the many variations of the contraceptive pill, but again, please consult with your GP to get the best advice.
Coming off the pill: Ensuring the best breast augmentation aftercare
Because the pill is such a popular and effective form of contraception you might feel that stopping the pill before surgery is a risk you would prefer not to take. However, the risk of developing a blood clot and the possibility of the pill losing its effectiveness are two reasons why it is so important to follow this advice. You will have ample time prior to your surgery to determine which other form of birth control you can use to replace the pill on a temporary basis.
We pride ourselves on the best cosmetic surgery aftercare and this includes ensuring you know the safest precautions to take before undergoing cosmetic surgery. Try to think ahead and focus on the end result that you are aiming for, along with a quick and safe recovery. It will be worth it in the end. If you’re interested in a free consultation to find out more about our services or what is involved during breast surgery, then please get in touch here.