Question:
Can I get pregnant post-op and have a healthy baby?
I am getting married next year. My fiance and I both are getting the surgery done this summer (hopfully). I want this surgery done but not at the expense of having kids. Has anyone had kids post-op and what was the difference? — lisam85 (posted on April 15, 2007)
April 15, 2007
Hello Lisa,
I've haven't had any kids but this is the information or shall I say
recommendations that I've heard from bariatric surgeons in person as well
as on Discovery Health programs.
I've been learning about this surgery since about 2002 and it appears the
general consenus about getting pregnant is waiting 12-18 months. Many do
not recommend getting pregnant before then because after surgery your body
has to replenish nourishment that is going to be needed in order to carry a
child plus your stomach has to heal. Also the first twelve months are to
be used to reach your goal weight.
I haven't heard of anyone on this site having a difficult pregnancy post-op
nor did I hear of anyone having difficulties while attending seminars at my
surgeons office. One of the patients waited the 12 months and have plans
of getting pregnant this year.
It sounds like the two of you have a plan surgery, marriage, and then kids.
Sounds like a solid awesome plan to me -- healthy positive parents makes
for healthy positive kids.
Many Blessings to you
— the7thdean
April 15, 2007
Lisa,
You can have a normal pregnancy and healthy children post-op. I did.
It is recomended that you wait a minimum of 1 year. You can get pregnant
any time so beware to take proper measures. Your body will go through some
major changes. And so will you emotionally! Good luck and God bless you
and your fiance.
— Jean Hitchcock
April 15, 2007
When I was researching surgery in 2000, I met MANY women that got pregnant
after surgery, most of them got pregnant TOO early by mistake. Bascailly,
you want to wait to get pregnant until you have reached your goal weight
and your body is not loosing anymore because you don't want to loose weight
while you are pregnant - that is not healthy for the baby. But most
everyone gets to their goal weight 12-18 months post-op, so that is usually
a good goal. Good luck!
Jennifer
— JGDugar
April 15, 2007
I had a baby last year (exactly 3 years post op when I had her). The bad
thing for me was... When I got pregnant I had just had a tummy tuck! So
my stomach was unable to stretch the way it needed to. I ended up
delivering 5 weeks early with a 5 pound 3 ounce baby (BUT SHE WAS HEALTHY,
WENT HOME WHEN I DID). I ate like a pig the whole time I was pregnant--I
still couldn't eat allot but I ate every 45 minutes-felt like I was
STARVING! I ended up gaining 36 pounds and most of it came back off. I
still have 10 pounds lingering (baby is 6 months old). But if I keep the
10 pounds-it will be worth it anyway.
— GAYLE CARMACK-LYONS
April 15, 2007
Lisa, hi and thanks for asking your question. Many women have had
successful pregnancies and deliveries after wls. Here is the thing,
nutrition. When you do wls, you put your body in the state of doing the
same functions with less food and vitamins. To get pregnant would mean to
really monitor closely the vitamin, iron and other minerals carefully to be
sure you are not only absorbing enough for your but for that precious baby.
You also should wait atleast two years before becoming pregnant so that
you can lose the weight you need to, maintain it, and also be able to eat a
decent amount of food by then. I am 46 years old and past bearing
children, and this is the ideal for wls I think. You can do it younger,
but it is like marriage, it is a committment for life, and you cannot
divorce this surgery. Once you get it, some have done revision, some has
tried to go back to the stomach they had, but I don't think anyone is the
same once they have wls. Take this seriously (I know you are), and weigh
the issues carefully. You are still young and able, why not try a
"Biggest Loser" tactic. Maybe if you committed to a huge change
like that you could get the weight loss you want? It is worth a thought.
In any event, start walking and exercising and dieting now with your
fiance, it will be good fellowship for the two of you and a good start on
working together. Take care, Patricia P.
— Patricia P
April 16, 2007
I have noticed that the answers of Patricia P are always try other
things....I am sure you have as have all of us. I had my surgery at 25 and
now amable to enjoy my life. Tjhe biggest loser is npt realistic becasue
you dont hav someone breathing down your neck 24/7 and a personal chef. If
you want surgery get it, we are all so glad we did. Ther eis no
"ideal" aget to startliving your life!!! As far as pregnany goes
it is much safer to carry a baby at a healthy weight with less risk of
complications. Being obese puts us at risk for gestational diabetes which
produces very large babies. Best wishes to you and your fiance...it will be
nice to go through the roller coaster with someone else!!
— SteffieBear15
April 16, 2007
My doctor told me that he did not want me to have children until Im two
years out of surgery. The reason is the first two years your body is not
absorbing enough nutrients. That can hurt you and your baby. He said once
Im two years out I should have a healthy baby. You should discuss this
with your doctor. good luck to the both of yaw.
— barfiep01
April 16, 2007
Congrats on your decision to have surgery! I am 4 months post-op and still
plan on having more children. My surgeon just said to wait about 2 years to
get pregnant again. I have never heard that the "ideal" candidate
is one that plans on having no more children. In fact, my surgeon says he
WANTS us to have more children, just in two years. :) I will tell you that
I was very obese when I was pregant with my 3-year-old and it was very hard
on my body, I had her 3 weeks early because I developed severe toxemia and
had a nasty emergency c-section. I am very excited to be at a healthy
weight for my next pregnancy... or two. :) Best of luck to you and just
for the record--- I know A LOT of women who have had plenty of children
after WLS and they are just fine!
Aaryn :)
— airbear762000
April 18, 2007
Hello, I have not had any babies with my surgery but I know a couple of
friends who have. They are doing good but had to watch nutrition,
dehydration and vitamins. Good luck
— saveliephsol
April 29, 2007
Congrats! YES you can have a healthy baby. My 2 year old, Ava Grace would
agree. I had gastric bypass in 2003 and waited only 11 months to get
pregnant. I wish I had waited a bit more so more weight could have come off
but then she wouldn't have been around as soon. (I wanted surgery so I
would not have pregnancy complications and I wanted a baby ASAP. I was
shocked I was able to get pregnant so soon.) I did need to eat often and
monitor my iron levels closely, otherwise my pregnancy was fine. I only
gained 25lbs, which if I did not have surgery would have been only 1/4 of
what I could have put on! She was 7lbs 7oz and perfectly healthy. Now i
just need to get back to loosing weight but I think I want another baby so
we'll see! Good luck to you!
— cadcock
May 3, 2007
Absolutely!!! I've had 3 healthy pregnancies and 3 healthy babies (each
weighing over 8 lbs) since my surgery. - Good luck
— ronnieL
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