Question:
Which is the better course of action? Pregnancy before WLS or After WLS?

If you have had a baby and WLS within a short time after the other - which would be the better order for these two life changing situations? What are the pros and cons of each way? My heart says to do the WLS first and then have a baby - but my mind says the other way around. P.S. Keep in mind that we would like to be pregnant by early summer 03. Can I wait that long for the surgery?? UGH!    — Kelly V. (posted on July 9, 2002)

July 8, 2002
Hi Kelly! Keep in mind that after surgery you want to give your body 12-18 months' time to lose weight and "calm down." Many, many doctors do not advise pregancy during this time - too much stress on your body. You'll find people here and elsewhere that have had a baby soon after WLS but it isn't recommended. Some of the things I have found out about having a baby after WLS: nutrition needs to be watched very closely, some women go with a high risk OB/GYN, etc. The baby should be healthy (nothing's changed there with your anatomy!) and take what nutrients it needs. But just need to be extra cautious, I guess. So in thinking, if you want to be pregant by Summer 03, optimially you should have the surgery this month. If that's not possible, I would think about postponing surgery if the pregnancy timing were that important. Just my .02, talk about this with your surgeon and your OB/GYN and support groups. Also, there is a discussion group on Yahoo that focuses on this issue (I'm sure someone will chime in with the specifics). Take care! =) Sarah
   — Sarah C.

July 9, 2002
I'm pre-op and have a 20 month old. I can't answer the question from the post-op side but during my pregnancy I had to see a high risk OB/GYN because of my high blood pressure. The baby was born premature 8 weeks early and only weighed 3 pounds. He was intubated for about 1hr and had to remain in the hospital for one month. If my blood pressure was normal to begin with and did not esculate during my pregnancy, my baby would have been full-term and of normal weight. My body was trying to save me and not the baby during the pregnancy. The ultrasound showed that he had not grown in an entire month. I was very nervous to say the least. I wouldn't wish that experience on my worst enemy. Needless to say, my physician was wonderful and took care of everything. A month later my son was home no major complications except some breathing problems ( they did not diagnose him with asthma they called it viral bronchiolitis). Last year he had to have an injection once a month (synergis)to help build the immune system and help with his chronic asthma like symptoms. I hope he doesn't have to deal with that again this winter. The injections are $5000.00 and my portion I have to cover is $500.00 every month. Anyway, due to my own personal experience I would have waited (nature made the first call). Right now I can't even run and play with him like he deserves because I'm so over weight. But you will need to make your own decision because I know the feeling of wanting a baby and wanting to be thin.
   — Pamela D.

July 9, 2002
I personally have been overweight all of my life. I was 268 when I was pregnant with my first child and 290 when I was pregnant with my second. I had no health problems and only developed mild hypertension with both babies. They were born perfectly healthy. I have wanted the surgery since I was 19 but wanted to wait until I was done having children. For me that was the best answer. I couldn't imagine loosing all the weight and then watching myself get bigger again. Now that I have lost 110# I wonder if it might be different to be pregnant when smaller, but we are done, hubby is fixed. There are a lot of risks on both ends. It is high risk to have a baby when you are obese, but it is also high risk to have a baby after surgery and you need to wait AT LEAST 18 months after surgery to give your body time to heal and be ready to nurture a new life. So good luck.
   — Virginia N.

July 9, 2002
Obesity is very hard on the body, and it can cause complications and even miscarriage during pregnancy. In my personal opinion, I would have WLS first, get pregnant 24 months after, have the baby, and then get plastic surgery to tighten the tummy skin. Make sense? Just my opinion. Good luck in whatever you choose. WLSers make great babies!
   — Terissa R.

July 9, 2002
I had first looked into WLS after my son was born. I had 3 miscarriages prior to my son and my fertility specialist told me any major weight changes can make pregnancy more difficult to achieve and maintain. I decided to finish having kids prior to any surgery. I had my daughter in June 1999 and my WLS in July 2001. It was hard to wait for WLS, but now that I am at goal I can't imagine watching my body grow again with pregnancy and then have to lose weight.
   — Kathy M.

July 9, 2002
I have tried to get pregnant before and my OBGYN said it was most likely due to my weight and that as soon as I dropped weight I wouldnt have a problem. So that is another reason for me to have the surgery. My surgeon said NOT to get pregnant until atleast 2 yrs after surgery. So that way your hormones and things are back to normal and can have a healthy pregnancy. And I agree strongly with that.
   — Shavonne P.

July 9, 2002
Thanks everyone for your responses. After reading your responses - I am thinking the right answer is to wait until after having another child. Thanks again everyone! Kelly
   — Kelly V.

July 10, 2002
I too am looking forward to geeeting pregnant. But I am waiting until after my WLS (8/6). I have been trying without success and both me and my obgyn feel that I will be better off after I lose weight. My weight has been hindering my chances. Good Luck!! I know two years is a long time to wait for a bundle of joy but I think i will be healthier and it will be worth the wait!!!
   — Laura T.