New to board and would love advice

Hi everyone! I am new to this board but not to OH. I had my VSG Nov, 30, 2010, and I am 3lbs from my goal weight.

My husband and I have been contemplating having another child. Currently I have one daughter who will be 4 on my one year anniversary of my surgery.

Time is somewhat of the essence because my husband is going to have to deploy for a 4th time this next summer. He was deployed for 15 months when I was pregnant with my daughter and he missed the entire pregnancy and her first six months. I really want him to be around for this pregnancy because he missed the last one, but I am right at goal and haven't been in maintenance at all. I have talked to my surgeon and he actually said it wasn't an issue back in June, but I waited because I wanted to lose all of my weight. We only want one more child and even though I am only 30 I dont want to be having children after 32. So it seems like if we are going to do this, now would be the time.

I am really worried about weight gain as I am sure that is a reason most of us are here, but any feedback that anyone has would be great. I just want to know people's thoughts that are going through it, and try to think with my head instead of my emotions. Any advice will be very much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

I say, go for it!  I had my VSG in August of 2010 and at 6 months out (I was almost at goal) my husband and I decided to "let nature do its thing" as far as birth control and about a minute later I was pregnant.  I say, if you want a baby... have a baby.  Don't let a few lbs scare you off from it... especially with his deployment looming.   We all have weight issues during pregnancy, I just keep telling myself that my sleeve will still be there for me after the baby is born.  I'm 30 weeks pregnant and I've gained about 12 lbs so far.  This is right in the "normal" range for gain considering I was still a few lbs overweight when I conceived.  Overall, I feel great.  It has been an easy pregnancy and neither my ob nor my surgeon have any sleeve related concerns with it.  I won't lie, at times I freak out when I step on the scale and see the numbers going up, I worry that I'll never lose it again, etc.  However, I can say that my "normal" friends who have never been overweight have these same issues in pregnancy.  Good luck with whatever you choose.  And, thank you to your husband for the work that he does!!!

Thank you so much for responding! Congratulations on your pregnancy as well. That is amazing that you have only gained 12 lbs. I was really healthy my last pregnancy and ended up gaining no weight (but I was overweight) I hope to not gain more than 20-25. I think more than anything I just want to know that women in the same situation as myself can do it. I am prepared to continue exercising and keep my food journal. Thank you again for your feedback and congratulations again on your pregnancy!

Honestly, I don't know much about VSG, but your not even a year out from surgery.  I would highly suggest you wait until your at least 18 months post-op (your weight would be more stable and just think you would be below goal and have extra room to flucuate with a pregnancy).  However, I can see why you would want your hubby to be around for this pregnancy and birth.  Do you have a time frame on how long he will be deployed when that time comes?  Having children past 32 is not a bad thing!  I had my last child 6 months after I turned 35 and I'm 38 pregnant with this child and both have been pleasant pregnancies!  I have 3 children, ages 12.5, 10.5 and 3 and then this one is due October 25.  Having the age gap between my older 2 and younger 2 is very beneficial.  I've throughly enjoyed my 3 year old since birth and couldn't imagine my life without him....not to mention I'm more patient now then when my younger 2 were little!  My oldest child is a BIG help and watches after him while I shower or take care of a few things!  I would suggest you look at your situation and weigh all your options before making this HUGE decision!  As far as weight gain goes, I feel it's totally normal to be worried or scared about it!  I remember that being a huge deal for me when I was pregnant for the last one and worried if I would be able to loose the weight once he was born.  I gained around 30lbs with that pregnancy and lost all but 8lbs of it at my 6 week check up.  However, over the next year and a half, I gained an additional 13lbs before I got strict with myself and lost those additional 20lbs.  With this pregnancy I have gained around 35lbs so far and know I will have some struggles to loose the extra weight, but know it's possible and I will loose it!  It's important to know that while pregnant, you will find you can eat much more and tolerate more foods, but your tool will still work and you will have more restriction after the baby is born.  Best of luck with what you decide!

Thank you for responding! I definitely agree with you about waiting and honestly if the time frame wasn't such a concern I would wait. My husband will be gone for 12 months, but he is in a combat MOS and this is the fourth deployment. You don't want to be negative, but at the same time there is a very real possibility that something might happen to him. We know we want two children, and if something were to happen to him, I know I want that child to be his.

As for the age time frame, I am taking my LSAT in the next three months, and will be going to Law School six months to a year after having a child. That is a three year commitment and one I don't think I could do while being pregnant with a new born. After that I would want to start as soon as possible at a firm and make partner within ten years. I just don't see a very opportune time to have another baby in that time frame. Of course I am not sure there is ever a real opportune time to have children. My daughter will be five if I get pregnant in the next three months or so. I don't think I want much more of an age gap, I might not want to start over after she is in school. lol

Thank you very much on your advice. :) It helps a great deal to work things out in my head. Congratulations on your pregnancy and your three little ones.