Question:
post op pregnancy

Hi I'm posting this question a second time because I only got one response and there has to be more people out there who got pregnant post op. I would appreciate any responses I can get. I was wondering what problems if any post op rny patients had with pregnancy and also if you had any problems with breast feeding. If you have breast fed if there was any advice you could give me on anything special I should do. Thank you so much. Jeannie    — jjeanniespets1 (posted on July 29, 2007)

July 29, 2007
Hi Jeannie. I am way to old for this question......a Granny! However I think I can help. Look at the top of this page. See the word Forums in Blue. click on it....go to the bottom where it says more forums....then look at the box that says weight loss related forums.........then pick "post op pregnancy forum". I bet you will find all the answers you need right there. Good luck sweetie Jodi
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 29, 2007
Hi jeannie- I am currently pregnant (I was about 18 months post op as near as we can figure). So far the problems that I have had have not been related to GBS really- although I have a harder time eating as much as the Doc and WIC want me to. Still, I have gained right on track (ok, a little behind, but not terribly bad) and my baby looks to be the "right" size on his ultrasound. He doesn't seem to mind- though doesn't like protein drinks much! As far as breastfeeding- I haven't gotten there yet (obviously) but all the research I have done, with other post op moms and with medical research, says the nutrients will go to milk before they go to US. So, the biggest concerns would be to up your protein levels just a bit more if you can, and keep taking prenatals and any other vitamins your doc has you on. Good luck! Oh, check out the Forums page- there's one specifically devoted to Post Op Pregnancy where you may find a lot of answers to questions you haven't even thought of yet! Rachael
   — Ravenwulf

July 29, 2007
Hi Jeannie.... I am on my second pregnancy--I have been pregnant pretty much back to back. The babies will be 12 months apart! Anyway--I find it hard to answer your question because I thought I wouldn't be able to breast feed because I have implants. When the doctors put the implants in they told me it would cut my milk ducts and I wouldn't produce milk.. Let me just tell you, they were mistaken and I did have milk. But since I work full time, I opted not to breast feed (I have thought about trying it with #2 at least for the weeks I am home with him). I have pretty much heard the same things--the baby will get it's nutrients from the milk first--just like when we are pregnant! I would think it may be hard on us since we can get so deficient on vitamins anyway. But we will have to see how that goes. I know the whole time I am pregnant I stay so weak and sick I can't hardly get out of bed in the morning--and I have bad migraine headaches. So if breast-feeding is going to continue that I will opt not to do it!! Good luck
   — GAYLE CARMACK-LYONS

July 29, 2007
Hi Jeannie, thanks for writing. I am 3 years post op Jeannie, and I had finished having children several years before wls (I am 47), but I will tell you what I think if that is ok with you. I looked at your profile, and you look so very young. I am assuming you are either pregnant now, or just had a baby? You have to be careful with the foods you eat, but pregnancy after 2 years of wls is not abnormal, you just have to get your "game" on to re lose any weight after deliver. Stay active and walk and eat good foods. Don't let yourself fall into a trap of eating stuff that you will regret. Your nutrition is so much more important now that you have a baby inside (if you are still pregnant) and your nutrition is very important for breast feeding. If you want to breast feed, and I think it is very important to breast feed, then you have to keep your fluds and calories up to keep up your breast milk. When I had my 2nd child I went to a weight loss clinic, they assured me that they would be able to help me lose weight and I would be able to breast feed. They lied, I lost my breast milk at 3 months and I was very angry. If you have to choose between weight loss and breast feeding, then choose the breast feeding. When you are done, you can lose the weight again. Eat right, and just keep up your exercise (long walks with a baby stroller) and I think you will do fine. It is also critical that you drink milk and water, lots of it for protein and calcium, lots of water to keep your fluids rolling. Hope this helps, congratulations on your baby. Please consider updating your profile, when you ask questions, that really helps those who answer. Take care. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

July 30, 2007
Hi Jeannie, I had Open RNY in 2004. and have a beautiful healthy 11 1/2 month old girl. I had 3 children prior to my RNY and was gestational diabetic with them. With this pregnancy I was not. However, I did notice that if I ate too many carbs I would become hypoglycemic ( where your blood sugars crash). I exercised hard before, during and after my pregnancy (about 5-6 days a week)and everything was fine. I also am still breast feeding her. I had no issues with the breast feeding only that I found my self more hungry. So I upped my meals and snacks by about 500 calories a day (mostly protein) (That is about how much the baby takes). At least to get me through the first 4 or 5 months. I have since dropped the extra 500 calories and have dropped the baby weight as well. I gained a very healthy 20 pounds during pregnancy and after only needed to lose about 12 of that. The worst part about pregnancy was the fear of gaing all my weight back. The BEST part of it was the healthy and "LOOKING" pregnant for once! It was like being pregnant for the first time. It was fun! Anyway I hope this helps and if you have antothe questions feel free to write. Good Luck and God Bless your journey. Sonja San Diego, Ca (Open RNY 9/9/2004 - 336/ 282~163)
   — Son-Son

July 30, 2007
Hi Jeannie! I'm 2 1/2 years post op from rny lap. I'm also 36 weeks pregnant! I started my journey at 265 and lost wuite a bit in my first year (145!) and before I got pregnant I was at 134. Everyone said I looked unhealthy and now that I'm pregnant I look healthy...can't please anyone! LOL! I haven't had any pregnancy complications like I did with my first when I was obese, however, now I'm at 174 lbs! Every doc's appt, I dread stepping on that scale! I eat whatever I want and my habits have drastically changed since pregnancy. Of course I want a healthy baby but I'm so scared that I'm never going to get back into my diet and exercise after he's born. I plan to breast feed for at least the first month and supplement with formula. It worked with my last one. I didn't go in for my 2 year check and I've only been taking my prenatal vitamin instead of my optisource vitamins. I just want to be able to get back on the right track after labor. I'm scared my pouch has stretched out completely and I don't know what to do to get back to that little stomach. Good luck to you - I don't think I was much help but I'm also going to post my own questions to get some help as well. Jen
   — Jen G.