Assessment of Contraceptive Counseling and Contraceptive Use in Women After Bariatric Surgery

BACKGROUND: Reproductive-aged women are, according to American and European guidelines, recommended to avoid pregnancy for 12-24 months after bariatric surgery. Oral contraceptives may have suboptimal efficacy after malabsorptive bariatric procedures. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess contraceptive use pre- and postoperatively in women who underwent bariatric surgery in two obesity clinics in The Netherlands. Also, the recall of contraceptive and pregnancy counseling was investigated. METHODS: A validated questionnaire was performed among women aged 18-45 years who underwent bariatric surgery from October 2017 through August 2018. RESULTS: In total, 230 women were eligible for final analysis. Postoperatively, 60% used safe contraception, 16.1% unsafe contraception, and 23.9% no contraception. In this study, 43.7% of women using a potential unsafe contraceptive method preoperatively switched to a safe method of contraception postoperatively (p < 0.0001). Only 62.6% of women confirmed to have received contraceptive counseling, mainly preoperatively. The odds ratio for receiving contraceptive counseling and using safe contraceptive methods compared with not receiving contraceptive counseling was 2.20 (95% CI, 1.27-3.79; p = 0.005). Eighty-three percent confirmed that they have received counseling regarding delaying a pregnancy, and 52.6% were familiar with the recommendation to avoid a pregnancy for 24 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, 60% of women are using safe contraception postoperatively. Contraceptive counseling is suboptimal as 62.6% recall receiving counseling. Those who confirmed receiving counseling were more likely to use safe contraception after bariatric surgery. More counseling and monitoring in the postoperative and in the outpatient setting is recommended

After bariatric surgery effects of medication are not always predictable

Bariatric surgery is widely used as an effective treatment for obesity. Changes in the anatomy of the digestive tract as a result of these operations may lead to changes in drug availability. This is illustrated by three cases in which problems arose with calcium metabolism, thyroid hormone substitution or weight. Effects on medication after bariatric surgery are not always predictable and there are no uniform guidelines how to handle. We advocate therefore a proactive attitude of physicians by monitoring direct effects (such as blood pressure, glucose, or mood) or determining drug concentrations, to prevent treatment failure or toxicity.</p

After bariatric surgery effects of medication are not always predictable

Bariatric surgery is widely used as an effective treatment for obesity. Changes in the anatomy of the digestive tract as a result of these operations may lead to changes in drug availability. This is illustrated by three cases in which problems arose with calcium metabolism, thyroid hormone substitution or weight. Effects on medication after bariatric surgery are not always predictable and there are no uniform guidelines how to handle. We advocate therefore a proactive attitude of physicians by monitoring direct effects (such as blood pressure, glucose, or mood) or determining drug concentrations, to prevent treatment failure or toxicity.</p