Question:
HOW DANGEROUS IS PREGNANCY AFTER SURGERY? AND IS IT LIFE THREATENING?

I AM 2 1/2 MONTHS POST OP, AND MISSED MY CYCLE THIS MONTH. I AM SO SCARED! PLEASE HELP    — FAITH-IN-ACTION (posted on January 30, 2007)

January 30, 2007
You need to be scared ...its VERY dangerous for you to be with child...first off..how will you ever be able to eat enough food to sustain 2 lives? second off..your insides arent even healed yet and putting all that pressure from a baby inside will cause all sorts of problemms...be scared
   — fishnrockport

January 30, 2007
How about calling your doctor on this one. He will have the real answers you need!
   — Diane C.

January 30, 2007
have you been using birth control? if so and you have been using it like you should, you missing your cycle may just be a hormonal reaction. but you should get it checked out and you need to notify your surgeon immediatly if you are pregnant. he or she will be able to give you alot more specific info., but you need to find out asap and notify the surgeon immediately!! your body is going through a major stressor right now and i'm not sure how a pregnancy will stand up to that, but it may not be impossible, just be smart and figure out what's going on and get help immediately. i'll be thinking about you and praying for you, keep in touch and let us know what's going on. good luck .. holly
   — RNlvnCARSON

January 30, 2007
my doctor told me that missing a cycle, being late, or starting early is not uncommon when within the first year after surgery. try to stay calm and wait a bit.. then take a pregnancy test. I was home one day and started my period almost two weeks early after surgery.. its the difference of hormones being dumped.. or lack there of.. and your system will be off.. told me to just be careful..and or start birth control about two months out
   — jasonsexybabe

January 30, 2007
Hey its not a good idea early on to get pregnant! But our support group members did very well, one was newly pregnant the day of WLS, didnt show up on test morning of surgery. It can be perfectly safe, with proper supplements and careful following by doctors! Now just try to relax its highly possible your not pregnant but if you are it can be safe, and the child will provide LOTS of exercise, espically in the toddler stage. Dont be scared, some great kids have arrived this way. Do let us know how this turns out! And call your surgeon for futher info.
   — bob-haller

January 30, 2007
Ignore Dale's response - it is obviously a very ignorant and uninformed one. While it's not the best ideal to get pregnant right after surgery, it's not the end of the world either. It just means that if you are pregnant you will need the doctor's help to make sure you and your baby get all the nutrients you need. Get a pregnancy test, and if it's positive, have your OB/GYN and bariatric surgeon collaborate on a nutrition plan for you. Sorry you got such a negative post earlier - we could do without that kind of support! Raye
   — raye

January 30, 2007
Tamika, after not only my surgery, but many others I've read about on the board here, everything was messed up for months, so don't despair! More important, why not just buy an EPT test and see for yourself? It can tell after 3 days of your missed mensus cycle. I think I must have kept one or more of them in my bathroom for the first 6 months after surgery...just so I didn't have to wonder and worry! LOL! Good luck and hang in there.
   — Evangeline H.

January 30, 2007
i had a baby post op and did absolutely fine, now i was 15 months post op. and was 20 pounds from goal. there is a pregnancy post op forum with many ladies who can assure you things are fine, now i believe you may never make goal weight like you would have if not for getting pregnant, that just seems to be the only downside to getting pregnant so soon after wls, there are some that have gotten prenant as soon as 1 month after wls and lost their chance to use their tool. im just so glad i used every precaution, i didnt go into this surgery lightly, if you arent pregnant please wait till you are farther out and are at least close to your goal as you may never get the chance again, use some form of birthcontrol until then. your wont regret it in the long run, so good luck to you either way.
   — shellypoe

January 31, 2007
While it is earlier than the dr.'s would like you to be pregnant, it's not the end of the world, although it feels like it is. When I first found out I was pregnant not even a year out from surgery I was scared and upset! But I had a perfectly healthy baby. Your body will take what it needs for the baby, if you are pregnant. Don't freak out until you know for sure. Then you can freak out, just kidding! The most important thing is to get with an OBGYN early on so they can check on the baby and make sure things are going along well. Good luck to you!
   — Rebecca Johnson

February 1, 2007
Please don't get discouraged and depressed by Dale's comment. I haven't had surgery yet, but i know plenty of people that have had surgery and a child. You can work it out, hang in there.
   — missyheffelfinger

February 2, 2007
First find out if you are pregnant, then deal with it with your surgeon's help.
   — Novashannon

February 2, 2007
Tamika: I found out I was pregnant about 6 1/2 months out of surgery (I am now 10 months out). I freaked out a little as well. The first thing I did was to contact an OB doc and my surgeon. My surgeon said while it is not really ideal, at this time, the main thing I need to do for myself and baby is to increase my protein intake. I do agree with other posters in that your should find out for sure first, and then contact your surgeon and ask for his advice, if you are. Good luck!
   — cdpaige

February 5, 2007
HI DONT WORRY DONT LET PPL SCARE YOU I WAS ON BIRTH CONTROL AND GOT PREGNANT 5 I/2 MO OUT. I WAS GIVEN A SPECIAL DIET EATING EVERY 2 HOURS I DEVELOPED A B 12 DEFICENCY GETTING B12 SHOTS 3X A WEEK. I HAD HYPOGYLCEMIA(LOW BLOOD SUGAR) I ONLY GAINED 10 POUNDS AND I DELIVERED A 7 PD BABY GIRL WHO IS A 14 MO HAPPY NO SIGNS THT SHE SUFFERRED FROM MY SURGERY AND BEING IN THE MEDICAL FIELD MY SELF A BABY WILL TAKE WHAT IT NEEDS REGUARDLESS IT WILL SUSTAIN ITSELF ANYWAY IT CAN BUT GOOD PRENATAL CAREIS IMPORTANT
   — amandak

February 15, 2007
First, I have to just say that the posting below from Dale was a little harsh. I got pregnant 5 1/2 months after my surgery. My OBGYN has experience with post-op WLS patients and did not freak out at all or treat me high risk. She just monitored things closely and all was well. I would take a deep breath and relax...I missed a few months of my period after WLS (which is why I was surprised I got pg). That is very normal because of having surgery and the weight loss itself. So perhaps you are worried about being pregnant and are not. Get yourself to an OB to confirm whether you are or not before you get too upset. Good luck!! :)
   — emilyfink

March 4, 2007
OK Tamika, I am 5 yrs post op but got pregnant at about 15 months post op. I had no problems, but they do say to wait at least 6 months to 1 year before becoming pregnant. Your weight loss helps you to become more fertile. It you find out that you are pregnant, you need to contact your surgeons office right away to be evaluated. Good Luck Hun!
   — Wendee P.

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