Pregnancy--wait 12 months or 18-24 months??

I am so confused! I want to do the right thing! My hubby and I have been trying to get prego for 2 years now. But my periods have been off for those 2 years so I dont even think I ovulate. Which is the main reason I wanted this surgery. So I have heard to wait for at least 12 months after surgery to get pregnant. Then I hear wait at least 18-24 months! OMG what to do! I want to have a healthy baby! Reading this forum I see people getting prego 6-7 months after surgery and having healthy babies! (I'm not planning to do that!) I just need some clarification. I have heard surgeons say both 12 months AND 18-24 months.....what have you heard?? THX!

hey girl, I understand why your confused!!! BUT, every surgeon is different and have different rules and requirements for their patients. My ultimate advice would be to ask your surgeon before surgery. Then a year after surgery begin to talk about your options and how much more to wait, if you have to wait more time. Everyone's body heals differently and at different rates. I totally get your excitement for wanting your bundle of joy :) because anyone who is a mother or pregnants gets it lol. take it one step at a time, and you will do great.. just listen to your surgeon, and don't be like some of us that had an oopsie if it can be prevented. (no offense to anyone, I fall into that category myself lol) I hope all works out for you, and keep us posted!!!

 I think the difference in the timeline happens because weightloss tends to slow down at 12 months, but you stabilize around 18 months. I believe most doctors recommend  you waiting until your weight stabilizes and you aren't in a losing trend before becoming pregnant.  

you hit the nail on the head :)

I agree with Tabetha - it depends on the surgeon but a great "rule of thumb" is once your weight has stabilized for at least 6 months and your labs are in good order for the same amount of time. Some people do this in a year - it takes others longer. I waited the 2 years before we started to TTC.  I had baby fever bad but knew that it was in everyone's best interst if I waited.

I would say wait as long as 18 months to make sure you can lose as much weight as possible. I had different issues but I know our surgeons office says 18 months is recommended for healthier you and baby.

It really depends on how you are doing. Lemme 'splain. I saw my surgeon at 7 months (after having my gal bladder out) and then for my one year appt. In that time I had only gone down maybe 20 pounds. I was cleared then to get preggers weight wise. I had pretty much stabilized. My surgeon does say 18 months as a general rule since that is about the time the average person will stabilize. I just did it early.

I lost all my weight by 10 months out (130 lbs) and by 12 months, I had maintained for about 2 months, so my doc gave me the ok to get pregnant at a year out.   And this time, it only took ONE time for me to get pregnant, I was so shocked!  The other two times (pre-op), my first took 2 yrs to get pg with and my 2nd took 14 months and 2 rounds of clomid.

Just make sure to use two forms of birth control (unless you are doing the IUD, that alone is fine) for the the first 12-18 months until you want to get pregnant.   A lot of us get VERY fertile once half or more of the weight comes off and can get pg very easily!

Like everyone has said, wait until your weight loss has stabilized.  Getting pg too early could cut short your 'window' to lose as much weight as possible...not to mention the possibilities of becoming deficient in vits/minerals because the baby would be sucking them all up.

I know how difficult the wait can be...I had WLS to get pg again myself - I'm one of the 'advanced maternal age' women on here and was 38 when I had my surgery.  I had (have) a loud screeching biological clock.

While you're 'waiting,' please feel free to lurk here, post any questions, whatever...learn as much as you can/want...then when you're ready...we'll be here cheering you on.

Good luck...and remember...you're doing the right thing waiting - both for yourself and your future baby.

Thanks for all of your answers! That helps clear up my confusion. I guess every surgeon just has different opinions on the subject. I have just heard so many different things that I needed to be clear. So once again thanks for answering!