Question:
Is this type of surgery better for a woman who is planning on having kids later?

I am 36 and single. I have my first Dr's appt in May. I am looking for more information between the GBS and the Banding? Mainly because I have been told by friends that if I have the bypass, haing children later will be very difficult (re: nutrition for both myself and baby) Is this really true? Has anyone had the Gastric Bypass and later had children with NO complications due to this procedure!    — Rhonda C. (posted on April 17, 2002)

April 17, 2002
I had asked my surgeon that question at my inital visit...he said that you becaome more FERTILE after surgery ans can easily become pregnant. He had a patient who became pregnant a month after the surgery, and the baby was fine. He does recommened to wait until you start leveling out on the weight loss....1 year to 18 months after surgery.
   — hrussinko

April 17, 2002
This is NOT true, there are MANY women on this site who continued on to have healthy normal pregnancies (one of the reasons I had the surgery was because I want to have babies some day, and I was infertile pre-op). You will need to work with your surgeon and obst. both during pregnancy to ensure proper nutrition, vitamins, etc. Babies are very resilient, they take what they need. Also, it will be much easier to become pregnant post-op, as many MO women are infertile. Good Luck to you!!
   — Angela B.

April 17, 2002
The baby will take nutrients first, so YOU are really the one who runs risk of possible problems. Check out OSSG-pregnant to see the stories of many, many women who had babies post-WLS with little or no problem. At 36, you probably have a higher risk of complications from your age than you would from WLS. However, once you lose the weight it should increase your fertility and improve your chances of having a healthy pregnancy. Good luck.
   — PT LawMom