Pregnancy after WLS

Hello to all, I am about 6 wks until WLS and was absolutely certain on the RNY procedure but am now contemplating changing to the band. I am 35 and have a BMI of around 50. No other health problems (at this point). I haven't had any children yet and have discussed with MD's the fact that I should wait at least 1-1.5 yrs after the surgery before beginning to try to become pregnant (only been married a year and don't want to ru**** anyway!). Just need input from anyone that has become pregnant after or has any knowledge in this area. Am I making a horrible mistake by still wanting the RNY? I'm an RN and so I really do know, as far as nutrition, that I will need to be concentrating on nutrition during pregnancy and thought if I really had problems I could see an OB specialist if absolutely needed. I am going to Germany for my surgery, so the surgeon would not be a super long-term resource. Have discussed with my PCP and he has agreed to the amount of time I should wait before becoming pregnant, etc. Thanks to anyone with some input (do I sound like a computer?) Gail in Tucson

hi gail, i believe that there is a pregnancy board on this website. i would check it out if i were you. i know a couple of people who have had wls and have had totally normal pregnancies and very healthy babies. but i would ask around the pregnancy board for the best advice. best wishes to you. brandy

I can't help a ton Im sorry.... But I don't think you should have ANY worries about RNY and getting pregnant. My SIL had RNY in Feb 2005---- so she is coming up to her almost year mark. From about 8 months out she has been eating almost normally.... by normally I mean it like a "normal" skinny person/normal portions. I doubt she would have any issues with nutrition when she gets pregnant. When you are finally ready to have kids you should be eating normally. I think you'll find many RNY patients have very happy sucessful pregnancies. We have been trying for almost 5 years (PCOS).... I am now looking into RNY for myself. I want kids, but Im willing to wait another 18 months or so after surgery so I can have a healthier and easier pregnancy than now.

Gail...you may want to post this question on the main OH board as well as here. I also put in the search box at the top of the page-- pregnancy, pregnancy after wls and a number of replies to previous postings came up. So there are a number of members on this site that have had successful pregnancies post wls.both with RNY and Lap band. Drs do have experience in this area as do OBGYN's. Unfortunately, you won't have the follow up or advice of your German surgeon to guide you which normally would be a huge help because just about all WLS surgeons have patients that have safely had babies post weight loss. The KEY factor will be to use 2 forms of birth control till you are 1-1 1/2 years at goal since your hormones will be wacky during the weight loss process and you don't want to get pregnant till that crucial point, which at that point you should be able to consume adequate nutrition/vitamins, etc...but NOT before. I have heard of many members who got pregnant while still in the first year of weight loss, which but both them and the baby at HIGH RISK. Many people and drs seem to think that because a woman had fertility problems while obese forget that will/does change with dramatic weight loss--hence the need for 2 forms for birth control. If you are on the PILL & adjusting it you should still use condoms or another method as well since unless your obgyn is monitoring your hormone levels you could still get pregnant on the pill with dramatic weight loss. The key is waiting until you are at that goal point and having your body being as healthy as possible. Good Luck.