Question:
is pregnancy after WLS considered high risk?

I am 15 months out and trying to conceive my second child. (First was pre-WLS) Through research I've done I know it's possible to have a safe pregnancy after WLS. I'm wondering if pregnancy after WLS is considered high risk and if I should see a high risk OB? What kinds of problems have you encountered while being pregnant after WLS? Did you choose an OB who was familiar with WLS? Any other info you can provide would be great! I just joined the "Pregnant after Surgery" Yahoo group! Thanks! RNY 02/06/2003 Start 291 Now 135 -156 pounds    — Heidi H. (posted on May 9, 2004)

May 9, 2004
Hi, I am currently 8.5 months pregnant. We conceived once I was a year post-op (followed surgeons guidelines). I am not considered high risk by either my surgeon or my current OB/GYN. She is familiar with the surgery, but I don't think she has had many patients that are post-ops. She reviewed my vitamin schedule, and only made a couple of changes (changed me from multi-vit to a prenantal and upped my iron when one blood test showed I was borderline anemic). I've gained about 30 pounds and the baby is growing right on schedule. My dr. thinks she will be about 7 to 7.5 pounds. I have not had ANY problems. I took the gestational diabetes test and while I was scared I would dump, I did ok and more important, the test was NEG. Good Luck.
   — Ali M

May 9, 2004
The first thing I would recommend that you do is check with your surgeon! I know that there is an amount of time that you MUST wait before you get pregnant and I think it's closer to 2 years. Otherwise you will be at risk for developmental problems with the baby. Please, check this out before you attempt getting pregnant. I'd hate to see you have a child with developmental delays that could have been prevented! Congratulations on your weight loss and good luck with your family.
   — Kimberly C.

May 9, 2004
the thing is , it depends on your personal health , if youre high risk or not, at almost a year and a half out, which is pretty much the reccomended waiting period, youre probobly not high risk but if you have other health issues, such as frequent dumping or a lot of food intolerances, then it might be a different story, evaluate on your own , your diet, and vitamins, if you seem to be in the "well adjusted" range, then you dont have to worry , but if youre one who has more issues with food and vitamins, then you might be high risk i know of some who are 8 months out , just one month more than me , and they arent considered high risk and others at a year post op, who are .... talk to your surgeon , and an ob , but i would imagine , where you are, most likely, youre fine ... for example, in my case, i have had 2 c sections, so i know if i get pregnant again, i will be "high risk", because of that but if youre otherwise having no negative health problems, a regular ob should be able to handle it , if your surgeon is local , ask them who other post ops have used as ob's, chances are they will have reccomendations for you Good luck !
   — bethlaf

May 10, 2004
There is no amount of time that you MUST wait to conceive or risk developmental probelms, contrary to the other posters comments. Surgeons set their own 'standards' and do it according to their own ideas. So, I would NOT worry about that. I would agree that it is best to consider your own personal circumstance and speak with your PCP or surgeon about what they think of your health. It's important for you to see a nutritionist to make sure you change your diet accordingly to accomodate the growth of a new life and maintain yourself. It's also important that your OBGYN understands your situation, as you are a bit of a 'special case", thought I don't think you must have someone with RNY experience, just one who is willing to work with you. I wish you GREAT luck! I'm jealous of you, as I'm trying right now to get pregnant. Congrats!!!
   — LMCLILLY

May 10, 2004
Thanks Lisa, I was about to post another comment but then saw you basically said what I was going to. <p>To the OP: if you have already joined up at the Yahoo group, then you know that there are many women that get pregnant even before a year out and have perfectly normal, healthy babies. I am NOT saying that it is recommended, but for those that it does happen to, they may have to be monitored more closely and their docs might decide they are high risk, but having had WLS is not a 100% cause for being put in the high risk catagory. You are more than a year out, looks like your weight is stable and if you do not have any nutritional issues, it should be fine for you to try and have a baby. BUT, as always, check with your doctors. Follow their guidelines as to when to get pregnant. Good Luck.
   — Ali M

May 10, 2004
Heidi, there is no set time to wait, only time that the dtr advises. I was out to dinner with a friend tonight that is due in 1 mo, she is 8 mos pregnant. She had surgery in Jan 03....Her pregnancy has been good, she has gained like14-20lbs and is doing quite well.
   — heathercross

May 15, 2004
hello. i had rny gastric bypass surgery on august 29th 2002. i was 276lbs. and i now weigh 126. (lost 150lbs.) i'm loving life but i got pregnant 3 mths post op. i lost 136 pounds during my pregnancy. it was not the best time in my life and i had to drink ensure and take a million vitamins. i had b12 shots monthly during my pregnancy and i also had an iron shot every month. the funny thing, i'm a labor and delivery rn. i was on the nuvaring for birth control. it failed me obviously. actually, after significant weight loss, your hormone balance is such that most birth control is ineffective. and i'm pure proof. but my first 2 children weighed 7lbs 10oz, and 8lbs, 2oz respectively. brayden, my post bypass baby only weighed 5lbs, 14oz. but he's now 11 months old and doing wonderful. i hope everyone that has the oops happen to them has the blessful ending i have. however, follow your docs advise as closely as possible. i know mistakes happen. i mean, i knew what to do, and i tried to take care of things the way i was told but God had other plans.
   — JOY C.