Im new, and have a few questions.
Good Morning Everyone,
I wanted to introduce myself, and thank everyone for sharing their wonderful experiences, great photos, and the unfortunate downs. It has helped me become more prepared for becoming pregnant, I am approx a year out from WLS, and like to take the next six months at least to research, save, and prepare for becoming pregnant. I have talked with my surgeon and family doctor and they are very pleased with my weight loss, and said if I can maintain this weight for 4 months or so, I would be well suited to start the process of having a baby.
I was wondering if you could help me with a few questions?
Is it common to get gestational diabetes after having WLS? If so, is it hard to control?
How did you manage cravings, I am worried that I am going to crave something that my stomach cannot handle?
I am the first person to have WLS in my doctor’s office, and that includes that OB – do you have any suggestions of things I should mention to her? I love my doctor and the OB there I would prefer to stay with them as I trust them.
How soon before did you start taking folic acid, my family doctor says that it is absorbed in the small intestine, therefore it takes longer to get to the optimal level (I had RNY).
Thank-you for your time, and I am looking forward to your information.
Madison
Your first two questions, I don't know; your third question, regarding what to mention to your OB - for the most part, your pregnancy should be pretty normal if your weight loss is stabalized. You should probably have your labs drawn more frequently, ever 2-3 months, just to make sure your vits/minerals are OK and/or adjust them as needed. Hopefully when someone pops in with answers the the gestational diabetes, they'll be able to tell you about how to test for it. it doesn't have to be the 'drink the nasty syrup' test as far as I know...because that will likely make you dump, big time.
To the best of my knowledge, you should start taking the folic acid before you get pregnant...so if you're looking at starting in 6 months or so...I'd say start the folic acid now. I'm not 100% sure what the 'normal' dose for folic acid is, since mine is way about the normal dose that I take, for other reasons. I want to say 400 - 800 mg is 'normal.' Ask your dr though. The good thing about folic acid is that it's one of those vits that they tell you you can't OD on, so even if you went a little high on it, it shouldn't hurt anything. Your dr can check your labs for folic acid levels to see if you're in the normal range and/or if you need to increase it or not.
Good luck. I hope to see you around over the next few months while you're 'researching,' and I hope to see your BFP as soon as possible after you start actively trying.
Holly
January 2008,
July 2008
December 2008
July 2009
September 2010
July 2011
Mom to Khaled
I was taking 2 multivits and switched one of them to a prenatal w/ dha and I also added a folic acid about 3 months before we started trying.
www.fertilityfriend.com helped me determine when I was ovulating and stuff. I started charting about 3 months before trying too.
Good luck and have fun trying! We're all here for you!
I don't believe that it is more common after WLS. I didn't have any problems with it. However, having had RNY we really can't handle the glucose tolerance test. It can cause false positives and can make you REALLY sick because of all of the sugar. What my surgeon recommended and what I did was monitor my blood sugar for a week. Everyday fasting and 2 hours after I ate. The values will tell them what they need to know. How did you manage cravings, I am worried that I am going to crave something that my stomach cannot handle? you just deal with them. Sometimes you give in... sometimes you don't. Depends on the craving, your self-control and what your pouch can handle. I am the first person to have WLS in my doctor’s office, and that includes that OB – do you have any suggestions of things I should mention to her? I love my doctor and the OB there I would prefer to stay with them as I trust them. You doctor/OB should keep in contact with your surgeon as a consult. In case something comes up. With my first pregnancy my OB checked my vitamin levels every month or two... this time not as much and my levels have been fine. Keep up with this board and if you have any weird symptoms or anything someone normally has already experienced it and knows what your should ask or tell your doc. How soon before did you start taking folic acid, my family doctor says that it is absorbed in the small intestine, therefore it takes longer to get to the optimal level (I had RNY).
You should take Folic acid before trying to get preggers so that it builds up in your body and have the doctor check your levels to see how you do absorbing it. I had no problems... some people do. You may be able to get in a shot or sublingual if you cannot absorb it.
~Victoria
