Pregnancy after WLS??????

Okay...I know most docs give the go-ahead after about 18 months of surgery...BUT how many of yall are actually planning children after WLS? I'm really not asking because I'm nosy and all...but I love my boys and I do want another baby sometime in the remote future. I think I'm one of the younger ones on the board (I just turned 25) but I was just wondering who else is planning a pregnancy now that you're a post-op or pre-op but know you're gonna want kiddies after? I guess I'm really hesitant to have more kids in general because my first son was born at 25 weeks and only weight a pound...and that was before WLS with no pregnancy complications up until that day. My second boy was born 6 weeks premature, but I had severe preeclampsia and had to have an emergency c-section. But I love them soooo much and would love to add to our family. With the upcoming surgery...I guess that's one of my only concerns. Any help from seasoned post-ops??? And I know this is a personal thing sometimes...but I would appreciate all the advice yall have. Yall are my wealth of wisdom and I truly appreciate yall. Thanks so much girlys...yall are the bestest Dana

Hello!! Yeah, they reccomend to wait at least 18 mos out...I think for your healh and for the baby as far as nutrition and vitamins go, and so you can get the maximum benefit of the weight loss. I have a friend who had wls and got pregnant 9 mos and was fine, but she didn't end up losing nearly as much as she had wanted, and now still struggles. My little boy was born a month early, and I had gone into preterm labor at 31 weeks, and had a rough time. He will be 2 in November. They just diagnosed him with autism last week, so I'm not sure if we will have anymore. They say that there is an increased risk for siblings to have autism, so we just aren't sure we are willing to take on that risk. I wish I had more info for you. Maybe one of the pregnancy forums/messageboards might have a lot more info!

Heeyyyy how's your Saturday going into Sunday going? So far mine has been filled with sleep and work...blah. But it'll get better tomorrow....hhehehehe. When you went into preterm labor were you admitted to the hospital or on bed rest? With my second one I was out of work from the time I was 10 weeks and on bed rest from 24 weeks. It was pure torture, especially with a 2 year old at home. Kyler, my baby, has "high functioning" autism..they diagnosed him at 2 years old but that was only because we had an older boy who was a micro preemie and was in a special pre-school for developmentally delayed or children with learning disablities and his teacher noticed that the problems that Kyler had looked really similar to another child there who was diagnosed with "high functioning" autism. At first it was devistating for us...especially with my older boy who sustained brain injury from the high frequency vent he was on from birth and then the diagnosis of the younger one. Are you in any Early Intervention programs?? Call me or email me if you need ANY help or information. Kyler attended the Early Intervention program from the time he was diagnosed until he was 3 and it helped tremendously. Yes, he still has some problem areas and may always will but I believe the help he recieved there made him function a whole lot better than if he hadn't had the services. We still personally pay out of pocket for an occupational and speech therapist to come to the house once a month, but for us it's about to stop because Kyler has progressed so much more. But like I said before...if you need ANYTHING (I mean it OK?) just drop me a line...I know the importance of having someone who understands at least some of what you're going through. At the time I had Kyler, I did't know anyone around who had children who were diagnosed with any of the pervasive developmental disorders....and I was so hurt because I thought I did something wrong to make him the way he was. But now I know better.... Lots of (((((hugs))))) Dana

Hi hun.....I just sent you an email! I was admitted and spent a week on bedrest in the hospital and then spent the rest of the time on bedrest at home....yeah that was pretty rough! I had a hard time doing nothing, and towards the end I couldn't do it anymore! I can definitely share the feelings you have gone through in the past...it's got to be part of the whole coping and coming to terms with a diagnosis.

I do want to have a child. That is another reason why I chose the VSG. With the VSG, I do not have an issue with malabsorbtion. I know there have been many successful pregnancies with RNY, but I would like to try and minimize any possible complications that I can. Especially since my age will be a factor. I would like to know that I will be able to give my child as much nutrients as I can. I wish I could tell you more, but I am newly post-op and will not be planning for a child any soon.

I am desperately hoping to have children now that I have had my surgery. It's one of the reasons why I chose to have the surgery, to lose the weight so when I do get pregnant (and to some day make it easier to get pregnant) I am healthier for the pregnancy. I have a ways to go still, my doctor (Dr. Cirangle) suggests 18-24 months. It seems like so long, I am only 8 months post op now. But I have a friend here who had WLS and has been pregnant twice since then. She lost the first baby, which I believe was 6 months post op, she believes because of nutritional issues, and the second is a beautiful baby girl!! She's 2 now, so far incredibly healthy and doing well.