New to this board...I have questions & concerns.

Hi everyone,
Quick run down, my name is Beth, I am 31 years old and I had RNY 4 weeks ago.  Right now I am in the "I am miserable, why did I do this phase" and I think I might be having some irrational fears.

The reason I had the surgery in the first place is because I was suffering for secondary infertility.  I have a little girl who is 5 years old.  I was 250 when I got pregnant with her.  Gained 13 lbs with the pregnancy.  Over the years I just kept gaining.  Hubby & I started trying again and nothing.  Months turned into years and still nothing.

We went through testing and my OBGYN determined that I am not ovulating monthly although I had regular monthly cycles.  She said my weight could be a main problem.  So...here I am 4 weeks post op.

I have no plans on even trying again until I am 12 months out at the advice of my doctor.  Not knowing what to expect, I am really freaked out about being pregnant after bypass now.

Anyone who has had RNY and gotten pregnant...can you please tell me what your experience has been like?  I would greatly appreciate it and I think it might make all of this a little easier to deal with.

Thanks!

Hello,  I had the surgery over 4yrs ago and had a set of twins 2yrs later.   Now, I have never had a problem getting pregnant before surgery, but to have twins after was something unexpected.  I did have to have two blood transfusions and 3x's a week I had iron infusions due to low iron, other than that it was somewhat normal.  The only only problem I have had was the wieght I gained during and after do to the pregnacy and breastfeeding of twins.

The ladies here are great - and most of us are RNY patients. I am 2 1/2 years post op and almost 10 weeks with baby #1 - so far so good! Business as normal! The only difference my OB noted was that I'll be getting extra ultrasounds and seeing a perinatologist "just in case". There is NO reason that we are automatically high risk- mine is more because we can't do the standard glucose test.

Your feeling of "what did I do" will pass soon as the weight melts off - best of luck with the first year and be extra careful with your birth control - most docs reccomend 2 types (like the pill and condoms) because as you loose the weight you could be far more fertile then you think!

Liz

Congratulations on your surgery, Beth!  The fears and some regret are very common at this point.  After all, the way we used to soothe ourselves was with food and not being able to do so really puts us out of our comfort zone.  It gets better - I promise!

I have PCOS and struggled to conceive our first child (pre-op).  Then, like you, suffered secondary infertility for years before conceiving our daughter (also pre-op).  It is discouraging and I completely understand how it feels when a doctor tells you your weight is likely the glitch preventing you from conceiving and loving another baby.  However, I did NOT have RNY to improve fertility, as we *thought* our family was complete.   

Now my public safety message: Please, Please, Please be sure to use two forms of birth control post-op, one of which should be a barrier method (condoms).  RNY changes our hormone levels drastically as well as causing absorption issues (BC pills aren't absorbed correctly for some).   The first 12-18 months are your window of opportunity - the time when rapid weight loss occurs.  This is the time when your body is in ketosis and you do not want to conceive a child during this time as ketosis *can* affect fetal brain development as well as causing extended vitamin and nutritional issues for mom.  Not to mention that pregnancy in some ways negates the purpose of the surgery - to lose weight!

OK, that being said, I conceived very soon post-op (note the BC absorption issues), despite never being able to conceive without medical intervention pre-op.  I had some issues with my own health, but my baby boy was a healthy 7lbs 4 ozs and my recovery after delivery has been soooo much better!

The only real differences in pregnancy post-RNY are:

1) Glucose Tolerance Test:  Rather than drinking the Glucola, there are some fasting/eating blood draw and home monitoring options

2)  Vitamin Levels:  More frequent labs should be done and supplements adjusted accordingly, as vitamin levels can fluctuate significantly during pregnancy

According to my surgeon, pregnancy post-RNY is actually MUCH healthier with better results than pregnancy when morbidly obese. 

I wish you the very best in your journey and do come back to this forum when you are ready to start trying to conceive - there is a lot of support and wisdom here.

Hugs,

congrats on your rny!... those feelings will go away once you start feeling better... one day at a time... ill be looking for you here when the time comes :)

Beth, I'm in a very similar boat and approaching 2 years post op - still losing, but much slower.  We decided to take the plunge and try again after 4 years of heartbreaking efforts with nothing and then nearly 2 years from RNY...

So, with that being said, please wish me luck too!   :)

We start trying this coming weekend and will, mmm work hard for the next few months to see what happens.

Prior to surgery, I was not ovulating consistently, had PCOS and periods with no regulararity....

Today, like clockwork; doctor thinks ovulation is occuring and no PCOS symptoms anymore.  I will start testing for ovulation in June.

Oh, and my husband and I think we've lost our minds... My daughter (previous marriage) graduated from high school this past Friday night and will be heading to college in another month...  So, I'm not sure if it's because the house will be empty or we just really want to give this one more try... Either way, we've given it up to God and will see what happens.

Good luck - but take care of you first, then work towards baby again!