Pregnancy after Surgery???

Hello everyone, I'm planning on having the surgery but I'm young so I will probably want to have children in the future. I was just wondering how having the surgery will effect the pregnancy? I know that you are losing a lot of nutrition by having the surgery so how would there be enough to keep the baby healthy? Thanks everyone.

It is recommended that you not get pregnant for about 18 months after surgery to make sure that the majority of your weight loss has occurred and your weight is stabilized. The other thing that is important is that you are careful to use birth control because many women get pregnant very much easier after losing weight. You should be sure to go to a high risk obstetrician that is familiar with weight loss surgery. Hope that helps, I am a dietitian that works with high risk pregnancies in Dayton, and I have also had the surgery. Good luck and feel free to email me if you need any other information. Chris

Ashley, Why not have a lap band? Then there are no worries with pregnancy whatsoever, it's a great option for younger patients. Good luck, Dr. C The Deaconess Surgical Weight Loss Center Cincinnati, Ohio (513) 559-2545

I haven't had children yet either - that's the number 1 reason I chose the Lap Band. You should check it out!

I plan on becoming pregnant about a year after my bypass. I've heard that gastric bypass patients gain less weight during pregnancy and lose the weight that they do gain easier. Just a thought.

My daughter had the surgery and two years after the surgery she got pregnant. She did wonderful an was always careful about what she ate an taking her viamins. I think you just need to wait awhile an not get pregnant an let you an your body get use to your new way of eating. I wish you luck an happiness. Aurelia

The recommendations are that you avoid pregnancy during the first 14-18 months after a gastric bypass surgery secondary to the rapid weight loss and malnutrition that you are asking about. It has been shown in several studies that with close followup, careful protein and vitamin supplementation especially folate, and frequent follow up with a high risk OB/GYN that you can have a safe pregnancy after gastric bypass even if you became pregnant during the rapid weight loss period. Of course again it is not recommended. After the first 14-18 months then the risks are greatly reduced because you are able to keep up with nutritional replacement after the majority of weight comes off. The Lap Band is a viable option as well. There are advantages and disadvantages to both procedures that should be discussed on an individual patient level. I follow several patients with pregnancies after weight loss and they and baby are all doing fine. Sincerely, Calvin Selwyn, M.D. Assistant Professor of Surgery UC Center for Surgical Weight Loss University Hospital/Christ Hospital/ University Pointe West Chester.

I know a few who have gone on and had healthy babies after the bypass. One did not wait the 14 months and her doctor was not happy but the other did and has had 2 children!