Question:
Has anyone had WLS shortly after giving birth?

I just got my PCP and my OBGYN approval to do the surgery after the baby is born in mid July. (I need to wait 6-8 weeks) My goal is to have WLS while on Maternity Leave so as long as the Surgeon is ok with my goals and paper work, approval etc. I am hoping for a late Aug. or Early Sept surgery date. I am very lucky to have a husband and family close by who will help. I am curious if anyone else out there has done the same thing? If so how did it go?    — Charlene M. (posted on March 27, 2001)

March 27, 2001
Hi! Although my situation is different I can relate somewhat. I had WLS in January when my baby was 8 months old and weighed 23 pounds!! The recovery was quite easy and I felt great. The big problem was the lifting restriction. I was restricted from lifting more than 15 pounds for 8 weeks and this became quite a nuisance. By having this surgery so soon after your child is born, I think that it would actually be easier to take care of him/her because they would most likely still be under the weight limit at 6-8 weeks old. Now, I know that some surgeons have a much stricter restriction, but with mine you would be able to lift your baby until they weighed 16 pounds. I have had 5 children and I can't think of any reason why having this surgery then would be a problem. If anything I think it would be a plus.
   — Shelley.

March 27, 2001
One other thought... If you are planning on breastfeeding I am not sure how this would work post-op. I am certain that the narcotic pain meds are excreted in breast milk. Also, with your altered nutrition, I am not sure if you could feed both of you adequately. Now, I do believe that you would be able to position pillows to make the process of breast feeding comfortable. I would definitely check with my OB or pediatrician to make sure that breast feeding after this surgery is recommended.
   — Shelley.