tell your girl to talk to her ob/gyn. there's several different BC pills, her body might react differently to different ones...so she may not gain THAT much weight, if any...

the IUD is a good alternative because it doesn't release hormones like the pill does...but there are other side effects like someone mentioned already. i heard they only like to give it to ppl who've had a kid already. my wife is currently using the IUD now...

but yeah...tell shorty to ask her ob/gyn...to get the best options/advice