How long?

How long did you wait after surgery before you stopped using protection?  

16 months.

1 year but with my surgeons blessing.

For me, it was just over 2 years.

I think it highly depends on the individual what you "should" do. I would say to wait until you're done rapidly losing weight and your weight has been pretty stable (or only very slowly dropping) for a few months before TTC. I would also be sure to have extensive labs run and make sure all values are looking good (not just barely scraping by the bottom of the normal range) before TTC.

I second that it is very individual.  For me, I waited 6 months, but my labs were all great, my weight had stabilized just above a normal BMI, and I didn't have a malabsorbtive procedure.  Lots of factors to consider.

I think as the others have mentioned already that it depends on your individual situation at the factors such as the type of procedure, if your weight has stabilized, your health (no deficiencies or other issues) and of course the recommendation of your surgeon. Mine recommended 18 months and that was about right for me. I was finished with my weight loss before a year was up but this gave me time to make sure I was able to eat good portions of healthy foods, all my vitamin levels were good, etc

My fertility specialist and OB gave me the go ahead  for the 1 year mark. I am at 8 months now and chomping at the bit!!! lol

You really need to check in with your Bariatric surgeon.  most surgeons prefer waiting 18-24 months post op before trying to get pg.  That being said, surgeons can give you the green light early based on your individual case.  I'm 41 and my surgeon gave me the green light at 16 mos post op to start TTC because I was 40 at the time.  It took a year, but well... here I am.

Your body needs to heal fully and create it's new normal after your WLS.  You need to be healthy.  Don't ru****  Yes many women on this board have gotten pg within the first year after their WLS.  But it is not advisable.  Again, talk to your bari surgeon.

Just one year but that was under the guidance of my surgeon and my OB-Gyn. It was originally supposed to be 18 months to 2 years. I'd already lost 90% of my excess weight and was able to eat 1600 calories a day at that point.