Question:
Question? i AM 38 yrs old, BMI OF40 borderline diabetic DO I HAVE THE SURGERY?
I want a child, and I am getting older, if I do this I will have to wait till I pretty much 40. Yet my knees hurt, I hurt inside and out. HELP. — Kimberly H. (posted on October 19, 2005)
October 18, 2005
isnt having a child when the woman isnt in very good health kinda risky??
i say take care of yourself first
— fishnrockport
October 18, 2005
I would discuss it all with my doctor first...but you can have children
after WLS...I beleive they say to wait a year. Good luck and remeber being
in good health is very important...if things dont work out with a
pregnancy, you could always adopt. God Bless, Franca
— Franca
October 18, 2005
The surgery is a wonderful tool to prepare your body for a healthy
pregnancy and fast recovery. I say take care of yourself and get the
surgery and then when you are able, have a baby. You will be so glad that
you did.
— *Malena* M.
October 18, 2005
I say by all means ask your PCP if he can refer you for a surgical consult
for WLS. Do it now, dont wait til you are (like me) a diabetic on 4 shots
of insulin/day and a BMI of 52, walking with a cane. I was 40 when I had
WLS. insulin had made me gain almost an additional 70 lbs within 6
months.
I was a borderline diabetic at the age of 28 and because of that had
gestational diabetes during my 3rd pregnancy. It was a very difficult
pregnancy. My baby was very large 12 lbs 6 oz. He was born with a lazy
eye...is legally blind in that eye and a turned in right foot that never
straightened out. Diabetes is a horrible disease. I have seen both my mom
& mom-in-law die of complications my mom at 65 my MIL at only 55!
I had an open RNY proximal in 2002. I was immediately off of insulin
shots, off of all meds by 2 months post op. Knee problems disappeared. Now
on the down side, I was so heavy at the time I had my surgery andI only
lost 120 lbs, I am still obese. If I had done more research, I would have
insisted on a distal type surgery. My blood sugars at 3 year post op have
started to rise and I am back on oral meds. My diet could be better. I
cant help but think if I had the surgery earlier, before my weight
skyrocketed, I would have had better odds of losing more weight. I have
seen about a 20 lb regain and I am try very hard to stay where I am on the
scale.
Dont want to say these things to scare you, but to put it into persepctive
because I had the same health concerns at a more serious level than your.
Good luck with your decision,
Rosemary
— SARose61
October 19, 2005
Well, I felt the same way as you. Fortunatley (or unfortunatley), I live in
Canada where I had to wait 1 year for the surgery. I decided to have
another baby while I was waiting. My surgeon agreed to do the surgery when
my daughter was six months old.
The pregnancy was the worst experience of my life. Because I was so heavy I
had all sorts of complication that put my baby at risk. The Dr's were rude
because I was fat. They blamed all my problems on my weight. All my
problems were not because of my weight because I had some similar problems
with my first baby and I started skinny with her. I was worried about the
baby because I felt I was not getting adequate care because of my weight.
It was horrible.
I now have a beautiful healthy girl. But, it could have easily gone the
other way. I have also now lost 100lbs. I feel great.
I do not regret either thing. I love my child. I am thrilled that I had the
surgery. However, it was not easy to look after a 6 month old right after
surgery.
Sometimes I wonder if it woul have been better to wait until I was
healthier. I would not have had to take so much time off of work.
It is a huge issue you are wrestling with and I don't have the right
answer. I hope my experience helps you. If you have any questions please
e-mail me.
Bettyanne
— bettya
October 19, 2005
Hi, I too am 38 years old, but I am 4 months post OP. I also wanted
desperately to have a child, but I was too afraid to have surgery and then
try, because I didn't know at the time how successful women who have had
this surgery were at getting pregnant afterwards. So, my husband and I went
to seek help to have a child, we got pregnant on the thrid try with
insemination. My pregnancy was uneventful, even at 372 lbs. I saw a
nutritionist weekly for the first six months of my pregnancy. It was the
"diet" I ever stuck too in my life. I did not put anything in my
mouth that was not in my eating plan. In fact, I actually lost 12 lbs
during my pregnancy. I waited until the baby was almost 18 months and went
for my consult with the surgeon. Now, 4 months post OP and down 66 lbs I am
thinking about having another, but I have to wait until at least next
December to actually try and by then I will be 39. So, I would say if you
really want to have a baby, go and seek out an OB/GYN that can help you and
specializes in high risk. Get pregnant and have the baby first, if the
doctor says ok. Then after the baby go and have the surgery. If you want to
chat feel free to e-mail. Good Luck!
— pumpkelina
October 19, 2005
I am 38 years year old, I have a BMI of 49. My husband and I tried several
years to get pregnant and finally became foster parents and adopted our 3
boys: 5, 4, and 2 1/2. The youngest is almost out of diapers and my
husband keeps talking about having a baby. I too, would be almost 40 and
worry about the risks. I am very happy with our 3 children and don't know
if I even need to have my own child anymore. I believe God has a plan for
everyone and maybe God chose to give us these children that needed parents.
I guess if he feels we should have one of our own, it will happen and
we'll be glad. But, still....I don't know how I'll feel after WLS so we
are holding off making any plans. Good Luck.
— BJSUTHERBY
October 20, 2005
Pregnancy maybe after you get your health on track. Get healthy and happy
before children. Believe me you will need your health to raise little
ones.
Jack
— Jack S.
October 20, 2005
Ok, here's my answer...not that it will help make your decision LOL
Before I knew anything about this surgery I got remarried and my hubby had
no children. I was 38 when I got pregnant with my daughter and 280 pounds.
By the end of my pregnancy I weighed 320 pounds. Now, I saw a doc before
getting pregnant and talked to them about the risks, etc first. They told
me that I was healthy (no overt health problems like diabetes, high blood
pressure etc) so there was no reason not to go ahead and try getting pg. I
was 39 when my daughter was born...perfectly healthy. I did get tested a
couple times during the pregnancy for gestational diabetes. Be aware that
this is a concern for obese mothers. They have all kinds of tests they can
do now to make sure that your baby and you are healthy. Talk to you PCP or
gynecologist.
Now, because of the weight I was miserable thru my pregnancy. I hurt and
could hardly walk or do much of anything else. Believe me my daughter was
worth it. I think if I were in your position, I would probably do the
pregnancy first and then then the surgery...unless you have a problem
getting pregnant. However, there is no reason for not having a successful
pregnancy either way. Good luck!! Carmen
— kccjer
October 20, 2005
I realize now how selfish i was wanted a baby so bad that even with IVF and
a high risk team...we both nearly died during delivery. I was on 4 shots of
insulin a day and had toxmina. I woke up interbated and didnt see my
daughter in NICU for 2 days. I would suggest have your surgery first, take
care of you. The baby will come. I had mine at 37 and 39.I couldnt keep up
with them..but now down 100lbs..they can no longer run circles around me.
All the Best! Tracey
— traceybubbles
October 20, 2005
Either you'll all laugh or cuss me out...but in regards to both having a
baby,or having the surgery..my grandmother always had a phrase,(now of
course it pertained to opening canned goods, but) "If in doubt, don't
"
Now this normally applied for getting botulism, and risks of getting
pregnant as a teenager.(and I ALWAYS tell my teens this phrase) but it
mostly means just stop and think about whats most important.Way the
risks...for the rest of your life.
Cause with botulism life may be REALLY short, and with pregancy the
consequenses can be Forever. so to speak.
Good luck in both of your decisions,
Velvet
— Fairysister
November 13, 2005
Hey Kimberly,
I totally agree with you. I will share with you what I have shared with my
family and friends. I believe in being pro-active when it comes to my
health. I don't feel the need to justify my decision to have WLS. I am
doing what is best for me. I am 37 years old. Currently on medication
for insulin resistance and water retention. I also have knee pain and
PCOS. I feel this surgery will improve my longevity as well as the quality
of life I'm accustomed to. I don't suffer from depression and not
interested in having children. I enjoy being a single and I love to party.
My main interest is maintain my ability to be mobile (dancing, exercise,
amusement parks, world travel), weight and height proportionate (lower my
BMI) and lower my risk health risk for diabetes (sticking to a healthy
diet). Feel free to read my profile and focus on what is important to you.
I wish you the best of luck and hope you are approved for WLS.
Ciao
MoniqueRenee
— Mrsmanners862
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