What about pregnancy???

Hi I"m a newbie.  I had my evaluation yesterday and am now waiting on my approval.  I was on the fence between the sleeve and duodenal switch.  My surgeon would prefer me to have the duodenal switch because of the amount of weight I have to lose (almost 200 lbs), but since I want to have kids he suggests the sleeve because of the malabsorbtion with the ds.  Has anyone had experience with this and what are your thoughts.  Thanks!

We have several DSrs that have had happy healthy pregnancies and babies. The advice is usually wait until you're stable with your weight loss (i.e. 18 months - 2 years post-op) before you get pregnant. Then, keep following your labs and keep them within range or at optimal levels.  The only caveat is to not over due it on vitamin A, otherwise follow your normal vitamins. Who is your surgeon? Is he on dsfacts.com?

---gina

Thanks Gina! My surgeon is Dr. Prachand at the University of Chicago.  The sleeve was actually my choice but I want to have optimal weightloss and am unsure if I can lose all the weight I need to with the sleeve.  I know I can convert to a ds after having the sleeve but I would rather not have to have 2 surgeries.

While it is possible to convert a Sleeve to a full DS later, it doesn't give the same results. There seems to be a synergy between the sudden reduction of calories and the malabsorption that gives optimum results. Get the whole DS now, get your weight off, and then you can have all the babies you want!

There have been many, many DS pregnancies over the years.  You just need to take special care for your nutritional needs while pregnant.  I agree, there are more risks associated with a second surgery down the road if you don't get the results you want with the VSG.  The goal should always be one surgery.

I had two healthy and non-dramatic pregnancies since my DS as well as totally natural labors with no drugs at all.  I was on top of my labs and levels and had them checked 3-4 time during each gestation period.  I became slightly anemic with my first pregnancy and very anemic with my second, even with staying on top of my daily vitamin intake.  I had to get venofer iron infusions to bring levels up.  I had a large grapefruit sized uterine fibroid that they believed was taking my iron more than the babies were and became more aggressive with my second pregnancy.  My PCP is the same one I've had from the start of my DS journey and has become very schooled in the DS because of me and my research.  I was in really good hands with both my PCP and my OBGYN.  When I'm not pregnant, my iron is very stable.  I had PCOS and know that without my DS, I wouldn't have been able to even get pregnant. I was simply as diligent with keeping myself and my babies as healthy as possible.  You just have to commit to that and realize that you need to be as healthy as possible and have a stable body and vite levels before even getting pregnant. 

No surgery should hinder you from having a baby. Just do the math. Supplement where it is needed and stay healthy. Wait for your weight loss to stabilize then go have a baby lol

I am good on labs and my weight is stabilized. I just came off the depo and plan to get preggo very soon. I have no doubt that with diligence I will have a healthy happy baby.