Question:
Anybody else find out they were pregnant during WLS?
I just found out that I was 3 weeks pregnant when I had surgery one month ago. I am now 7 weeks along and worried to death! The surgeon's office doesn't think it is important enough to even get me in this week and my OB doesn't want to see me for 2 weeks. I want to know what my risk factors are, what to watch out for, ect... — rowaneagle (posted on June 23, 2005)
June 22, 2005
AWWW Brandi, I can understand why you would be worryed. It is something
that it did not show up when you took the teast to see if you were
pragnant. I guess it was to soon to tell at the time.You will have to work
real close with your doctors. I don't know anyone is or has gotton pragnant
so soon out. Keep us all updated. I'm sure you and the baby will be just
fine. I know you are happy about the baby. Just scared right now. Once you
see your doctor you will not be so scare. This is so bitter sweet. Try to
relax and take deep breaths. Your doctors will take good care of you. I
don't really know what to say. Only thing is work close with the doctors.I
wish you and your baby good health. Let us know what your doctor says. Good
luck, Debra
— deb113
June 22, 2005
Just let all of your doctor's but most importantly your surgeon know if
you start to have any abdominal discomfort because I was in a support
meeting last week and a lady in Boston became pregnant after WLS, did not
notify her surgeons and sought care with an OB/GYN doctor who had no idea
she had WLS. She was having discomfort, which she mentioned to only her
OB/GYN doctor but never mentioned her WLS. She ended up with a twisted
bowel which resulted in death. I hope this doesn't scare you but the reason
I mentioned this is because if you feel that something is not right don't
just shrug it off. Notify your PCP, OB/GYN and surgeon so they can manage
your care together. I wish you all the blessings and joy that not only WLS
but your unborn child will bring you.
— one twenty five sixty to go
June 23, 2005
Dear Brandi,
I read your whole web page and you've been through so much already, and now
pregnant.
Please take a look at all of this then call your doctor. I'm hoping for the
very best for you.
Janice Poole
I looked around on the web, and found this info
http://www.thinnertimes.com/gastricbypass/pregnancy_outcome.html#Gurewitsch
Carnie Wilson from Wilson Phillips (daughter of Brian Wilson, Beach Boys)
just had a baby girl. This is 5 years after her GBS.
Yours seems way too soon, and the baby may have some birth defects, not too
many people get pregnant right away some that did considered abortion.
Make sure you read this!!!
http://health.yahoo.com/news/35932
The waiting game
With gastric bypass surgery, food is routed past the stomach to a small
pouch that accommodates only tiny amounts of food. Because patients can
only eat so much -- for some, only 500 calories a day -- weight loss is
immediate. But the nutritional cutbacks also send the body hurtling into
breakdown mode, says Dr Nease. "The person barely takes in enough
nutrition to keep their own body functions and nutritional status at a
healthy level. When you put a baby on top of that, you're talking about a
lot more nutritional requirements. It's potentially very dangerous."
Dr Nease says preventing pregnancy for at least 18 months after surgery
gives you time to reach your maximal weight loss, when your body's better
equipped to provide nutrition to a growing fetus. But birth control can be
tricky, since you may not be able to absorb enough of the Pill to make it
effective, and diaphragms need continual readjustment as you lose weight.
That's why Dr Nease urges patients to use at least two forms of birth
control during the first 18 months after surgery.
http://sheknows.com/about/look/3915.htm
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-21,GGLG:en&q=gastric+bypass+surgery+pregnancy
Can I get pregnant after I have this surgery?
Women are advised to wait until at least 18 months after their surgery
before considering pregnancy. This surgery causes some vitamins and
minerals to be poorly absorbed which can cause serious birth defects.
Fertile women MUST use a medically accepted method of birth control such as
abstinence, oral contraceptive pills with a barrier method such as a condom
with spermicide, or surgical sterilization of partner for at least 18
months after the surgery.
http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/root/vumc.php?site=vchn&doc=2095
http://ezinearticles.com/?Is-a-Healthy-Pregnancy-Possible-After-Gastric-Bypass-Surgery?&id=35617
http://www.newstarget.com/001954.html
http://clos.net/lib/08-pregnancy/pregnancy_comps.htm
http://www.greenjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/105/5/1195
http://www.drkoop.com/newsdetail/93/520617.html
Can I become pregnant after having the surgery?
Women of childbearing age should avoid pregnancy for one year after surgery
because rapid weight loss and nutritional deficiencies can harm a
developing fetus. If you should become pregnant, you will need to carefully
watch your dietary program to make sure you and your baby are well
nourished.
— Janice Poole
June 23, 2005
Brandi, I have no first hand knowledge to help you. I want you to know that
our bodies are incredible creations and the fight for survival is very
strong in babies. I feel that you will have a positive outcome. I do have a
curiousity question, however. Didn't the hospital do a complete work up the
morning before your surgery? Most hospitals will do a blood pregnancy test
that morning to confirm that you are not pregnant. They also will ask when
your last period was. I am surprised that your hospital did not perform
this test. I would look into it and just see if they did and what those
results were. It could have been that you actually DID test positive, but
no one bothered to really examine those results pre-op. I would definitely
look into it. Again, this is a routine test for women of childbearing age
before having ANY surgery. (Even if you insist that you are not sexually
active-they do it anyway)
I wish you the best and an expecting a great outcome. Be sure to get the
correct medical team to help you.
Shelley
— Shelley.
June 23, 2005
Wow! I feel for you. I got pregnant just before wls so mine was postponed a
year. I know my situation was different because I hadn't had the surgery
yet. But, early in my pregnancy I became very ill and couldn't keep
ANYTHING down right up until the day she was born. I lost 50lbs with the
pregnancy. She was fine. I'm not sure how that is much different than the
little amounts of food we can eat now. Two things: (1) You need to eat as
healthy as is humanly possible. Every calorie must count more than for the
rest of us and take your vitamins religiously. (2) If you feel something is
not right.... DEMAND ATTENTION. Because I was fat the dr.'s didn't much
care that I was losing weight and not eating. (In their defense the
extremem weight loss wasn't visible until the day after she was born due to
extreme water retention. I carried 45lbs in excess water). By the end of
the 8th month my body couldn't handle it. Extreme panic attacks etc. I had
to go on tranquilizers during the last three weeks just to make it to 36
weeks pregnant. The point of me telling you all this is that she was
perfect and an angel. Just do your best. It's probably better that this
happened now than in 7 months or so. You still have extra to share. The
reason the dr.s probably hven't seen you yet is that there is not a whole
lot they can do until about 12 weeks. However, you need information so I'd
push. In the meantime eat small meals often. Take your vitamins and there
is a very good chance baby will be born fine! Baby's have a way of getting
what they need! I hope this helps. Remember I am not a Dr. do listen to
what your's says. Let me know how it goes. I will be praying for you!
— bettya
June 23, 2005
bRANDI - i HAVE BEEN THERE - I WAS ACTUALLY MORE PREGNANT THEN I WAS POST
OP - I WAS PREGNANT DURING SURGERY AND THERY SAID THEY DID DO A PG TEST AND
IT WAS NEGITIVE BUT THAT I WILL NEVER KNOW THE TRUTH - I GUESS MEXICO WASNT
A GREAT CHOICE TO HAVE SURGERY - TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT - MY BABY NEVER
MADE IT - THE DOCTORS WERE AGAINST ME AND MY BABY DIDNT MAKE IT - VERY
HEART BREAKING...... BUT I DID FIND OTHERS WHO WERE IN MY SITUATION AND
THEY MADE IT THROUGH - I CAN DIRECT YOU TO THEM - TAKE CARE.... GET BACK
TO ME - [email protected]
— Sonya Galindo
June 23, 2005
Brandi,
I hope I didn't worry you too much with my last post, just make sure you
get into the doctor soon.
http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/amosforums/postop_pregnancy/
Janice
— Janice Poole
June 23, 2005
I apologize Brandi if I said anything wrote because the person below me
said to ignore what I said and I said nothing about birth defects.... as I
did say that there are women who were successful but that is why I also
sent you an email saying that you could contact me so I can tell you my
story and what the doctors where trying to do for me.... I never said
anything negitive - I know all things are possible but for me at that time
it wasnt and thats ok to say.... my doctors didnt have much to help me with
but I did alot of research and I would like to share with you....
— Sonya Galindo
June 23, 2005
My sister had the bypass 1 1/2 years ago ! She kept feeling sick an went
to the Doc. and they took blood and found out she was pregnant! Then she
had a ultrasond and found out she was 5 months pregnant when she had the
surgery ! They should have taken a blood test before her surgery ! But ,the
good news is she had a healthy boy who just turned 1 June 12th,he is
beautiful and healthy ! Barbie
— balefran
June 23, 2005
I got pregnant 6 weeks after my WLS and my baby is fine. I lost 80lbs while
pregnant then toward the end I gained 22lbs and lost that 2 weeks after
giving birth. This was my 3rd child and by far the easiest pregnancy. I had
to take 2 prenatal vitamins a day and was told to graze as much as
possible. I was considered high risk because of the recent WLS and was sent
in for several ultra sounds just to check the baby's growth. She was
smaller at birth that my other 2 children (6lbs 11oz) but that was still a
good weight. She is now a very active 13 month old with no problems that we
are aware of. I was very insistant my OB got my in his office quick and
explained the situation and he did so I suggest you call the office and see
if they can work you in or try and find another doctor. Good luck.
— badkidzmom
June 23, 2005
Sonya, the post Brandi was told to ignore was Janice's. She is the one that
posted about birth defects.
<br>
Brandi, when I first came here there was a member whose sister was in the
exact situation - pregnant during the surgery. The sister went on to have a
healthy baby. While it is not ideal, it can be done, but I would think both
your surgeon and your OB will want to work together to make sure you have a
good outcome.
<br>
For those that are jumping on the hospital for not testing/not telling, the
hormone that allows for pregnancy to be detected in the blood and urine
does not start being produced until the embryo implants. Since
fertilization takes place in the fallopian tube and the embryo must travel
to the uterus, it is entirely possible that the test showed negative the
morning of surgery. OBs date a pregnancy from the date of last mentrual
period (LMP), so technically the first two weeks of pregnancy, a woman is
not even actually pregnant (since most women ovulate about 2 weeks after
their period on average)! If her doc is telling her she is 7 weeks along,
the egg has really only been fertilized for 5 weeks. She had surgery 4
weeks ago, I'm betting that the embryo just had not implanted yet when she
had surgery, so no HcG was showing up in her tests. Ok, I'm done with the
biology lesson - sorry I got carried away!
— Ali M
June 24, 2005
I just want to let you know I had RNY done 11/02 and I just gave birth to
TWINS 4/05. The babies weighed 4lbs 8oz and
5lbs 4 oz (they were born 4 weeks early). My pre-pregnancy weight was 169
and now it is 175(not bad considering).
I only gained 35 lbs through my pregnancy. It is possible to have a healthy
pregnancy and children. You will need to see a nurtitionist and graze graze
graze because your stomach is so small, butit can be done. My OB was very
optimistic and watched my progress very closely.
My children are almost 3 months old now and they are beautiful,healthy and
no effects as a result of my surgery. The number one thing you can do is
remain positive and be a advocate for YOURSELF.
— Marcia M.
June 26, 2005
Thank you all for the support. Just an FYI, I did take a pregnancy test
the day before surgery, as required by the surgeon and it came up negative.
I am still very anxious to hear from other people in the same
situation...please email me...it's in my profile.
— rowaneagle
June 29, 2005
Since I have found only one person in my situation, I am going to be
documenting everything that happens with my pregnancy on my website
www.groovythoughts.com. I am already documenting my WLS, so why not?
— rowaneagle
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