Question:
Post-op and gone through pregnancy? 3 weeks Pregnant!

I am one year out and about 3 weeks pregnant. I am very excited but want to know from other women who have gone through this about their weight gain etc. Any advice on how things are different going through it after surgery would be helpful. Thanks!    — Michele B. (posted on July 30, 2004)

July 30, 2004
I am currently 7 months pregnant and became so 10 months out from my surgery (a big no no). I lost a lot of weight in the first trimester, but was told that it's normal to do so, especially with morning sickness. When I hit the 2nd trimester, however, I was told to not lose any more weight and that I should gain about half a pound per week, which comes to about 14 pounds total. I have gained half of that to this point. It was such a challenge in the beginning to get the proper nutrition, but I tried very hard and took it easy on the exercise so as not to burn the calories I worked so hard to get (how ironic, huh?!). Now I eat a small meal or snack every couple of hours and I include a source of protein with every meal to balance out any sugars or carbs so as not to become diabetic again. I'm happy to say that all of my tests, including amnio and ultrasounds, indicate that the baby is healthy so far and growing as she should. One of the main problems I've had is gas and bloating. I have been in the ER and labor/delivery with severe pain that ended up being gas. How embarrassing! But this is the best pregnancy I've had (this is my fourth) so the surgery has helped quell the high risk situations I had with the others. I am closely monitored by my OB/Gyn doctor, as well as a dietician, whom I see every month with a food diary in hand to make sure I'm getting the proper amount of protein, and my Psychiatrist to keep my stress levels down. I recommend you do the same, in addition to letting your surgeon know that you are pregnant. The dietician in my surgeon's office is kept up to date on my progress by my prenatal dietician. Hope this info helps! Good luck with your pregnancy!
   — jkardad

July 30, 2004
One more very important thing...drink plenty of fluids, especially water!!! I did become mildly dehydrated, which caused me some abdominal pain and very hard stools!!!
   — jkardad

July 31, 2004
I gave birth to our daughter May 21, I had gotten pregnant with her right after my one year mark (surg. date was July 2, 2002). I was only 10 pounds from goal, so I didn't lose a lot of weight 1st Trimester, and did not have mornng sickness, just some nausea - I did lose 5-10 pounds, but over the next trimesters I gained a total of 40 pounds. All of that was gone by the time the baby was 2 weeks old - most of it was fluid, I had really bad swelling in my feet and ankles. And I even went on to lose down to my goal weight, so that was a bonus! The only difference was that my OB put me on prenatals instead of my reg. multi and at one point had me increase my iron b/c I was borderline anemic (which can happen with any woman during pregnancy - not just post-ops). I did have to drink the glucose for the gestational diabetes test - my OB insisted on it and I was scared I would dump, but it wasn't that bad. If you are EXTREMELY sensitive to sugar you might want to due the blood test instead. Congratulations on the new baby!!
   — Ali M

August 1, 2004
Hi, I had my WLS July 11, 2002. Found out I was pregnant right after my year anniversary. I gained 40 lbs total, he was born Valentine's Day this year. I am still struggling to lose the last 10 lbs of the weight and still trying to reach my orginal goal wieght before I got pregnant.
   — mswenby

August 1, 2004
Congrats! I also just found out that I am pregnant. Any info you can give me?
   — Tina A.