Question:
How long after Pregnancy should you wait to have WLS

I had obtained a referral in November and then in December found out I was pregnant. How long after having the baby should I start the whole process again? or how long after having the baby should I go through with surgery? Thanks!    — Amanda P. (posted on March 9, 2003)

March 8, 2003
Hi Amanda. My twins are turning a year old on March 13 and my surgery date is March 28. I started talking about wls with my OB at my 6 wk post natal appointment and he was very supportive. In the six weeks I had gained all of my weight back I was back at my pregnancy weight! ugh! The only reason I waited a year is because of insurance and my husband being laid off of work. I would have had it much sooner it it weren't for those factors. Any way my best advice would be to ask your OB for his opinion about your personal post natal recovery and what is best for you individually. Best of luck to you!
   — lyndaleigh

March 8, 2003
Hi Amanda. My twins are turning a year old on March 13 and my surgery date is March 28. I started talking about wls with my OB at my 6 wk post natal appointment and he was very supportive. In the six weeks I had gained all of my weight back I was back at my pregnancy weight! ugh! The only reason I waited a year is because of insurance and my husband being laid off of work. I would have had it much sooner it it weren't for those factors. Any way my best advice would be to ask your OB for his opinion about your personal post natal recovery and what is best for you individually. Best of luck to you!
   — lyndaleigh

March 8, 2003
I would ask your primary care physician. Get the referral then check with the surgeon you would like to do the procedure. I looked into this while I was pregnant with my last child who is now a year old and one of the first surgeons I looked at would not do the procedure on me until I was 2 years post partum. It all depends on the surgeon.
   — S C.

March 9, 2003
Amanda~~My friend had a 6 month old baby that she was still nursing at the time of her surgery. She did fine but she was much hungrier than I was and I think it was because she hadn't weaned her baby. Nursing expends a lot of calories. When you are a new post op it is hard to get in what you need. She did fine though and now she has lost about 85 lbs in 6 months. Good luck to you. Wendi Open RNY 9/19/02 down 103 lbs
   — lovemonterey

March 9, 2003
Hi Amanda - I had my baby in Nov 2002 via c-section. At my 6 week post partum check up I asked my OB how long I would have to wait to do this surgery... he gave me a referral that day! I had my consultation in January and was scheduled for surgery immediately. I am having my gastric bypass on 3/20. I thought I would have to wait... but was told the only time they suggest waiting is after a medical procedure that involves your upper abdomen. Good Luck to you! (the doc also thought it was good for me to have this done while my baby is still small so I can lift or carry her )
   — teresa M.

March 9, 2003
HI Amanda- I got my referral for WLS when my son was 5 months old. Would have had surgery when he was 8 months if not for insurance problems. Now that I'm approved, my son will be 11 months at surgery time. He weaned himself from nursing at 7 months--which was my surgeon's only concern. Not sure why nursing was a concern...probably because of the demands on the body as well as the possibility of anti-biotics/meds during recovery. Good Luck!
   — toolio

March 9, 2003
I had my son in May of 2000 and started looking into the process in August. I had surgery in Jan. 2001 when he was 8 months old. It just never was an issue with my surgeon, at all. It was never even mentioned. I would have to agree with the idea of having surgery before your baby gets over the weight lifting restriction. My 8 month old weighed 25 pounds and I had to have daily help with lifting him. It would have much easier if I had had it when he was smaller. Shelley
   — Shelley.