Implanon removal today!

[sykadelic]

This is the first time I've posted in this forum. Not sure if this is the right place but I felt like I needed to write some stuff down and maybe it will help someone else.

As the title says, today I'm having my Implanon (rod) removed. For those that don't know, it's a birth control rod of progesterone that's in my upper arm. I'm not having it removed for conception purposes (yet), I'm having it removed for weight loss reasons, hence posting here.

I'm on my second rod. The first was in July 2009 and it was removed and replaced with this one in September 2012. They're "good" for 3 years but leaving it in a little longer doesn't hurt you (I've read some people just leave them in!).

My symptoms with the rod have been pretty good (I think) compared to some of the stories I've read. I haven't had a period since I had it put in (a light one about a month in then nothing except some light spotting after the changeover). I've LOVED not having a period. No pain. It's been great in that regard. No pregnancy scares except at the change over.

The bad is I've gained a LOT of weight. I'm talking 20-30kgs in the last 4 years. How much is the rod and how much is lifestyle change (got married, moved to another country etc) I'll never know but I simply cannot shift the weight with it in. It's so disheartening to exercise, eat right, track calories and all that jazz and instead gain weight! A lot of people report the same thing. Gaining weight and it being next to impossible to shift. I have successfully lost weight PRIOR to getting the rod so I know that it's possible for me, and I know how to do it right (well I did... maybe my old body needs something else now), but it's just been going up and up and though I noticed it, I didn't really worry about it too much because at least I wasn't pregnant or having a period or worrying about taking the pill at the right time.

My boobs are still growing too and they pretty much always have but it seems to be quicker. I'm 30, they really should have stopped.

My back is also sore when I sleep now. I can't just lie in the one position and I don't know if that's the weight pushing on my spine, or because I have an hourglass figure with the large hips... hoping that is fixed with weight loss too...

So my research indicated that the way the rod works is by "mimicking" pregnancy. This could explain the boob increase and the bloated look. I'm pretty sure it's not the full explanation but I'll bury my head in the sand until it's out and consider other options later.

My reason for posting though is this... I'm so anxious about it! Some people report dropping weight with little effort, some that it is still hard to shift. What if I get it out, get the painful periods back (I had some wicked back pain especially on the first day), and NOTHING happens? And if I can lose weight, GREAT, but then will my husband be okay with using condoms for the foreseeable future?

Has anyone else done this? Had it removed in order to try and lose weight? Were you successful? Anything in particular I should watch out for? Am I going to flip out for a few days/weeks while hormones normalise? Were your periods heavier? (I've read that's possible).

Thanks for reading. I'm going to get a little notebook after work today and it's out, and start recording my measurements again and I'll try and keep you all updated with progress. I'm hoping to see some significant changes by June (when I see my sleep doctor again) and then again by August when my friends come to visit. I'd like to be able to show them around without feeling so lethargic and ... bulky.

[sykadelic]

Okay so it's out!

She wasn't too impressed with where it was (it was pretty high up and curved downward) and when she was pressing down on it to get a good feel for where it is/was it started to ache, which I told her. She told me it was going to hurt a bit when she took it out because she was going to have to push it.

She gave me the local, swabbed with the brown stuff, poked me to make sure I was numb and then made the cut and fiddled around until she got it out.

she then put a steri-strip on it, a sticky bandage pad thing and then wrapped it in a bandage. I have to wait 24 hours before I can get it wet and if i get it wet I need to change the bandage pad and put a bandaid on it.

It was 6 hours ago now and while I've had a twinge in my arm, it doesn't feel particular tender. She said it would bruise as well.

I'm feeling some mild camping on my right side/ovary. I don't know if I'm crazy but I swear it's there. Bring on the weight loss!

[LilBick]

I think you've done the right thing. I had depo injections for 3 years and also gained a ton of weight! I was also angry and moody a lot with symptoms of depression. I lost about 7lbs quickly but have now joined slimming world to get rid of the rest. As my general health and mood have improved, I feel much more positive about it all and am abstaining from any hormonal contraception. Looking at the coil now but heard mixed reviews xx

[LilBick]

Also, first two or three periods were pretty heavy and erratic but now totally back to normal!

[RunningKatie]

I cannot wait to get mine removed. DH has had the snip so once we've got the all clear from that I will be heading to the GP's.

I had it put in 7 weeks after ds arrived and i've not managed to ditch the baby weight. I'm really calorie counting now rather than just not eating cake but hoping once the implant comes out it'll help.

Good luck!

[sykadelic]

It's weird having it out. My arm doesn't ache, no bruise (there was a slight yellowing but nothing major). It's a really small mark now, looks like a healing pimple it's that small!

Moods haven't been all that bad but I think I'm getting sick. One thing I realised though is if I DO have a bad mood, my husband is probably just going to assume it's hormonal (instead of being sick or tired or something)!! Haha. He's never had to deal with my time of the month before so it'll be interesting.

In that regard still no "Aunt Flo". The aching ovaries feeling has stopped.

I'm starting to blog about it (private for now) for other people who are curious about it all. When I've perfected it I might make it public :)

[TallRedhead]

I will watch this with interest. Pre children I had implanon x2 back to back. Had a brief rest before I fell pregnant with dd and was much thinner, happier and felt healthier. Hard to know if completely implanons doing as I also came out of a disastrous relationship, exercised more and generally felt better about myself but all combined I don't think the hormones helped me!!
I've just had dc 2 and will be thinking about contraception soon. Need a non hormonal option but there are not many!!
Good luck. Would be interested in reading the blog.

[sykadelic]

2 weeks tomorrow since it's been out (strangely feels like longer!) and no sign of my period. No cramping. Arm is healed up fine.

I'm not sure whether I've been more grumpy or moody or anything. I'd ask my husband but he'd probably say yes just because (as I said in a previous post) he attributes any mood swings due to me feeling poorly with hormonal issues :P

I feel like I might be less anxious but I can't be sure (it's been a crap couple of weeks work wise with the passing of my bosses father - also a boss).

I also admit I kinda want my husband to be like "hey, it's out, lets try for kids!". I think about asking him but I stand by my resolve to save a little more money and track my ovulation for -a month or two- a while.

Weight loss wise I feel less like I'm hungry for "crap" food and instead feel like eating healthier. But again situational changes... such as the weather FINALLY getting warmer.

I'll measure myself soon. I think I'm too scared to see the results!

[sykadelic]

Okay so I've finally started on the blog :)

I'm at the end of week 3 of tracking using OPK's and should that that one uploaded probably tomorrow.

Here you go for those interested: bumpytimesahead.blogspot.com

[sykadelic]

2 months, 7 days later and I have a period!

It's a little traumatising... for want of a better word. It's been 4 1/2 years so there's a lot of retraining to do. Before it was almost something I didn't have to think about. I won't go into specifics but... yeah.

... I should have stayed home from work.

On the plus side... I have one day I know I ovulated and now one period. Looks like the drugs are out of my system!

I bought a 10lb dumbell to work on my arms, I've been mowing the lawn for a small amount of exercise and my husband needs to pump up the tyres in my bike (it's so pretty!). We talked about where I'll ride so can be safe.