WLS sure brings up some sticky issues...

 I'm about to get approved for my WLS (lightweight RNY) and was reading all the dos and donts post-surgery, and I got all panicky about the "weight 18 months after surgery" because I'm 42 and it feels like 18 months is going to eat up all the childbearing time I have left. 

I'd mostly been feeling OK about the fact that my boyfriend doesn't want children, and that I didn't really need a baby, but the idea of letting my biological clock run out is gut-wrenching. I feel like I need to decide in the next month if I'm going to go ahead with the surgery, or leave my family and figure out how to get pregnant and raise a baby on my own. 

I've seen a lot of people in this forum who've gotten pregnant earlier than the 18 months and been fine, and their doctors seem to be OK with it, too. Are doctors changing their mind on the 18 months? 

I have to figure out what I want to do, anyway, but I'd rather lose the weight and consider having a more healthy pregnancy because of the weight loss in a year or so. My therapist suggested getting fertility tested to see how I'm doing time-wise on the clock left, but I'd like input here on how long one needs to wait. Anecdotes from anyone who was still in the weight-loss phase who had a safe and uneventful pregnancy? 

Thanks,

-Kat

There are lots of people who are pregnant much earlier out and not having any problems at all, seems to help with fertility as well. Good luck!

I'm just 5 1/2 months post op right now and just found out I'm pregnant. I don't think doctors are necessarily changing their minds on the time frame that is recommended to wait after surgery, but I have heard about lots of women who have gone through pregnancy sooner than a year post-op and been fine. I wish I could tell you how it's going to work out for me.

 Thanks for the message, and good luck to you! I think that staying on top of things with your doctors, and staying in tune with your body and its needs (for both of you!) is the best thing you can do, so the fact that you're in the forums and trying to make sure you do whatever's right is going to ensure the best outcome for you. *hugs*

Every surgeon is different in what they want and believe.  It's all in what they were taught.  As a nurse for 12yrs not one doctor or nurse will do things the same for that reason.  That being said my surgeon stated during the information seminar that they recommend you wait 12-18mo, but things happen.  If it does you and baby should be fine.  I myself chose to wait 18mo, but am only i'm only 31 so had time to spare.  I have also seen on here where several people get approval from their surgeon after 6mo of surgery due to their age.  By 6mo out i felt pretty normal and was able to eat well just much smaller portions . Talk to your surgeon and get their thoughts behind conception after wls.  Good Luck

Tiff

Are you totally set on RNY?  As a lightweight you might not need the malabsorbtion, and without it, it is "safer" to get pregnant earlier because absorbing nutrients isn't an issue.  I have the sleeve and got pregnant 6 months out (intentionally) because I was mostly done losing, had good labs, and could eat a decent amount when I wanted to.  As I type this, I have my perfectly healthy 4 month old sitting on my lap.  Just something to consider.  In the end, you have to decide what is best for you and your family.

Thanks. *hugs* I'll talk about that with my doctor.  -K

Hi Kat!
I'm 39 and had my little guy 14 months ago. I saw a fertility specialist before we ever considered conceiving. The main thing that the specialist talked about was our risk of Down's Syndrome. At 42 your risk is at 1 in 45. The later you wait the higher your chances become. I am caucasian and I was also told that 1 in 4 caucasians are carriers of Cystic Fibrosis. If you and your SO are both carriers then your chance of having a child with CF is very high. I agreed to be screened to make sure.

I'm not advocating or even have an opinion either way about surgery, childbearing, waiting for kids, waiting for surgery etc etc....  I chose to conceive a child at 37. I knew the risks. I am also a speech therapist and I work with developmentally delayed children so I was prepared for any outcome.

I totally understand where you're coming from. I wanted a child. My two other children were 20 and 18. I knew my clock was ticking away as well and decided to go for it. I educated myself of all the probabilities, researched the options of everything, underwent the quad screening, chose not to do an amnio, and then prayed. My little guy is absolutely perfect.

Good luck with whatever choice you make!! Keep us posted!
Tracey

I am so glad I found this thread. I just turned 35 and in process of getting my clearances for surgery. I am looking at either the Sleeve (which I want) or RNY. One of my main reasons for deciding on surgery was to get my health in check so when I do get pregnant, my child's health will be better too. But then you start reading all these articles on Down Syndrome and Autism and it is scaring me to death.

I too talked to my surgeon and they recommend 12 months or until your weight stabilizes. I then talked to my Primary and she too suggested I talk to a Fertility Specialist. She said they will be able to give me a better picture of what I can expect.

Talk you so much everyone. Just reading that someone out there has the same questions and issues I do helps. Plus you get some true feedback.