Be honest: How long after WLS did you wait?

Ladies, I am conflicted a little...

I am one month out, down almost 50 lbs.  The main reason I did RNY was to be able to get pregnant after suffering from infertility for many years.  My husband is really excited and wants to be a dad very badly and so are my parents and his parents in wanting to be grandparents.  I want a baby more than anything in this world.  There is pressure now that my mom and Father-in-law are not in the greatest of health.  We have my husband's annual Christmas party coming up Dec 15th.  It is at the Drake Hotel in Chicago (totally swanky) and by then I will be 5 1/2 months out from surgery.  THe rooms are offered at a discounted rate and even now at almost 50 lbs down ,my drive is up and so is my DH's.  If we were to have unprotected sex that weekend, and by some miracle get pregnant, is it really the end of the world?  I am kind of thinking about just saying "Hey if it happens it happens"  The guidelines are to wait 18 months or so, but my surgeon says if I am good with my bloodwork and such, I could do it sooner.  

Could a girl get an opinion or some good old fashioned advice from you lovely ladies?
Thanks!

I did wait the 18 months, as hard as it was. I had RNY and lost all my weight before the one year mark but wanted to stabilize and get healthy. You are right that you feel amazing even when half of the weight is gone but I wanted to maximize the results of my surgery. I had PCOS and struggled as well so that is why I had the surgery. Even with that, it still took us almost 3 more years to get pregnant. Everyone is different. There are women who have gotten pregnant at 5 months or less out, some intentional, others not, and in most cases, I think the babies turned out okay. Honeslty, the Mom suffers as the baby will take what it needs first. The other downside is you of course cut into your honeymoon* window for weight loss and may or may not find it as easy to get back on the wagon or continue to lose weight after the baby comes. That is your personal decision of course and I also think depends on your surgery type. You would probably continue to lose at first in the pregnancy and then level out. I would recommend you check with your doctor to see what they say and if your health is okay, then they may say it is okay to try before then. Good Luck in whatever you may decide.

I waited 18 months, as was suggested.  Then, I waited another 5 years, because we were infertile anyways. 

4 months post op, 7 months post first child, and 3 months post 2nd child lol. yes my main reason for surgery was to have babies, when I am done, RNY is a tool, not the solution, and I can still use that tool to maintain a healthy lifestyle for me and all my kids. to God be the glory

I am 13 weeks preg right now and I waited 9 months after my surgery.

I got pregnant 5.5 months post-op, but I would recommend waiting at least a year!

I think this is a very individual decision.  The first thing to consider is the type of surgery.  You had RNY, so you do have to worry about malabsorbtion which will still be going strong at 5 months out.  You'd really have to make sure that your labs are all in order.  Second thing to consider is how much weight you have to lose, and the pace at which you're doing it.  If you need to lose 200lbs, and you're still losing 20+ every month, it is a different story than someone who has to lose 80 and has slowed down by 5 months out.  Another factor is your ability to get in all of your protein and fluids, this can vary wildly even among people who had surgery at the same time, and the same type of surgery.  I would definitely discuss it with your surgeon before going for it, as he (or she) knows you best.

All that being said... 6 months out from my sleeve surgery, my labs were great, my weight loss had slowed to a crawl, I was just a few lbs away from a "normal" weight, and I was able to get my protein and fluids in with no problems.  So, my hubby and I decided to just go for it and see what happened... about a minute later I was pregnant.  I now have a perfectly happy healthy 10 month old, I lost the baby weight with no problem, and went right back to working my way towards goal (met my original goal a few months ago). 

So, everyone is different, and unfortunately there is not a one size fits all answer.

 I had the sleeve last September and having a child was the #1 reason i did the surgery also.  We suffered for infertility for years prior to surgery whi*****luded 6 medicated cycles and 3 IUI's with injectibles that never resulted in a +.  My surgeon recommends waiting 18 months after but at almost 12 months after I am ready to move forward and hope he will support me (my bloodwork has been stellar and weight has mostly stabilized).  My ob/gyn says it's fine to move forward and to go straight back to the RE due to elevated prolactin and FSH levels.  Truthfully, we haven't been using any protection since 6 months out but haven't officially been "trying" until last month.  Although not the smartest move, I was secretly hoping there would be a "whoops" moment and pregnancy would be easy and a surprise.  Now clearly that won't be happening so it's on to a consultation in the fall and treatment starting again in 2013.  

I met with a RE at the one year post op mark and got pregnant 14 months post op. I was a revision from band to sleeve. I wasn't at my weight loss goal, but couldn't wait any longer! I'm trying to lose the last 30+ pounds now that my baby is here. Im glad I was a year post op. Especially with a malabsorptive procedure... the rules aren't really suggestions. Its for the health of your baby as well as yourself. I truly know how hard it is to wait! Please fully educate yourself!

I had my RNY in Sept 2009. One of my main reasons to have surgery was to have babies.  I waited 18 months like recommended and no luck...  after I hit my 2 year mark we got pregnant and now I have the most beautiful 2 1/2 month old lil' girl who is as healthy as can be!!  Just use your surgery as a tool and Good Luck!!