Pre-op concerned about pregnancy after surgery

hi!

I'm a pre-op RNY patient, and I'm almost to the point where I can set a date for the big day! Hopefully within the next couple of months. My concern is that one of my coworkers told me about her complications with her pregnancy after RNY. I don't know how soon after the procedure she got pregnant or if she was on all the right supplements or anything but now the seed is planted and I'm wigging out a little.  She said the baby sapped all the nutrients it needed from her bones because she couldn't ingest enough, and it made her bones brittle so she broke her arms and her baby survived but has his own disabilities now... I'm recently married and we want to start a family in a few years, I plan to wait the correct amount of time but I don't want there to be any danger to the baby during pregnancy. Can anyone give me advice?

I realize I'm overthinking....but your help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Erin

You should plan to wait at least one year or more ...  Take your supplements on the clock from the beginning and make sure you the healthiest you can be before getting pregnant.

There are lots of happy, healthy children born to people who have had WLS

My wife has a good friend with RNY who has two happy healthy children. I don't think she had any kind of issues. She waited several years though before she had them.

There's a Pregnancy After WLS board here somewhere---you should find that helpful. 

I know several women who've had safe, healthy pregnancies after WLS, even one DSer who carried a child for her sister. I think the key things have already been mentioned---take your vitamins and minerals faithfully, get regular bloodwork, wait 18-24 months after surgery, and make sure you're s healthy as possible BEFORE you start trying to get pregnant.

Thanks everyone! I absolutely plan on waiting the recommended time, we're not ready for kids yet. I guess I just got spooked but if I work with my Dr. when the time comes for kids I'm hoping I'll be fine.  I'm so anxious for this surgery, I know it is the right thing for me, I just don't want there to be any unforeseen consequences if I can avoid them.

I had surgery 13 months and just started TTC with my surgeon's blessing after my blood work came back with no trouble. A few things I learned at that appointment:

• Make sure you're good on all of your vitamins. A pre-natal may not have everything you need, so taking a bariatric-approved vitamin and adding separate folic acid (plus perhaps calcium and/or B12 as your lab results dictate, YMMV) may be the best route.
  
  
• Focus on quality of nutrition, not quantity. You won't be able to eat a lot, which is why it's extra important to make sure you're eating well; coordinating with a nutritionist can be super helpful. You will need to eat more than previously, so I'll be adding in a few extra small meals/snacks like dairy and veggies.
  
  
• If you're worried about the outcome or there are other risk factors, try looking for a fetal/maternal medicine specialist who can handle "high-risk" pregnancies. Many OBGYN's are familiar with WLS patients (mine is) but if you feel you may need extra help then it doesn't hurt to ask.
  
  
• Don't be afraid to schedule an extra check-up with your surgeon if you're concerned. Your doctor is there to help, and mine said he'll have no problem if I want to have an extra appointment during my pregnancy just to "check in" and make sure everything is going OK.

Both my surgeon and OBGYN have had successful pregnancy patients post-op, and knowing that they've got my back is very reassuring. Make sure to ask questions if there's any doubt!

fertility and outcomes improve after gastric bypass

Compared to obese pregnancies, pregnancy after weight loss surgery has9… Lower maternal complication rates, including gestational diabetes and preeclampsia Better neonatal outcomes such as fewer premature deliveries and a lower rate of low and high birth weight Lower risk of developing high blood pressure Avoiding these problems may also impact the life of your child. For example... The development of gestational diabetes during pregnancy nearly doubles the risk of childhood obesity.10 Children born to previously obese mothers who had weight loss surgery may be less likely to become obese themselves (these children have 3 times lower prevalence of severe obesity vs. obese mothers who did not have surgery, according to one study14). Moms who have lost a significant amount of weight after bariatric surgery give birth to babies with fewer cardiovascular risks as compared to brothers and sisters born before surgery.   quoted from

yes,fetus,do drain all the nutrients from the mother. That happens in ppl who have not had WLS as well. It is why we are told to take prenatal vitamins and eat and drink healthy and well. 

Chances are,she was not supplementing properly with calcium,vitamin d,etc,or her body would have had plenty of nutrients for her and a developing fetus. 

There have been many healthy babies born to post op moms.