What are our chances?
I've wanted children my whole life, and I had just about given up on it. But my fairy tale romance came true, and I'm a newlywed. However, I'm also SSMO (525 pounds). I've started the process to get the DS, but it may be as long as a year until I get to have it (in a country with publicly-funded healthcare), and after that I know you're supposed to wait 18 months. Also, I'm already 35, almost 36. :( With every month that ticks by, I feel like my time to have children is slipping away. I wish I could know for sure that I'm not too late. I'm just scared I've lost my chance. Anyone get pregnant post-WLS at an older age? Very late 30s, early 40s?
Thanks for responding! I'm sorry you've got the same issue, but I appreciate the empathy. Hoping we hear from some folks who have been through it.
I had RNY in December 2011. Went from 358 to 152 in the 2 years. I am 41 years old and currently 7 1/2 months pregnant with my 1st baby. I have been married for 22 years and never was able to conceive and by surprise on Feb 26th 2014 I found out I was pregnant. I haven't had any issues with the pregnancy so far, I am considered high risk but all it has meant for me is more ultrasounds to make sure baby is growing. So far baby is on the smaller side but not too small. Just to give you hope.....Women can still have healthy pregnancies later in life. I do admit I am much more tired then my 20 year old friends but that's part of life I suppose. I have a good friend who delivered a healthy baby girl at 38 and a friend who had a baby boy at 42. It does happen.
Thanks, willoseit! That gives me a little hope at least. :) Congrats on your little one - how exciting! :)
Just saw this - thank you so much, Debbie! :) Really glad you had such great pregnancies post-op at those ages! Makes me feel better. :)
That is why I had RNY. I had such severe PCOS, I was gaining even eating properly and couldn't get pregnant. What little fertility treatments we tried didn't work either. My Dr gave me the ok to try now even though I am only 3 months out. I am getting enough nutrition she felt it was ok, plus I can't take any birth control at all (it actually makes PCOS worse, they have found it causes fertility issues, and I have a brain disease that it effects as well). There are tests your gyno can run now to determine your hormone levels and how many eggs you have left, and that kind of stuff. You may be waiting, but it would be good to know what you are working with, and they can monitor it over the time you are waiting just to see what your body is doing. I would also start tracking your cycles just so when the times come for you to try you are armed with the knowledge of how your body is working.
We have been trying for two heartbreaking years, everyone around us is pregnant to the point I am thinking of skipping out on Family Christmas because all those new babies are just too much for me, and my husband's family just doesn't get it. It may take you longer because of your age, but don't give up hope, besides I heard that we are supposed to be the most fertile right after WLS.
My endo actually ran hormonal level tests for me several months back and said everything was good for me hormonally. Given my size (500+ pounds), that's pretty amazing, I think. I don't have PCOS, I don't think. I'm going to start seeing a new gyno here shortly - I'll ask her what all we need to do/test to make sure we're ready to go when it's time! I've been tracking my cycles for over a year now (well, at least when I get my period... not even sure if I'm ovulating at all as I'm hypothyroid and tracking my temp doesn't seem to work).
Thanks for the encouragement and the advice, and I REALLY hope things happen for you very, very soon. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!