Question:
What goal should I use before getting pregnant?

I want to get pregnant, and know I should wait a year, and let my labs get in order so I'm healthy enough for it. Question is, should I start talking to my surgeon about whether I'm ready or not by his goal for me, which is 145, or my goal, which is 160? I doubt I will hit 145 without having skin removed, and don't want to do that until after I have babies. I am at 232 right now, and had surgery 12/31/02. Any help is appreciated.    — krisl (posted on October 10, 2003)

October 10, 2003
I just had my pre-op consult with the surgeon's RN and have also read other places that most doctors discourage pregnancy for 18 month after WLS. Your body (even though it is getting healthier) is lacking important nutritional balance to have the healthiest pregnancy possible. At 18 months your weight loss will have leveled off and you will be able to give your baby what it needs! Good LucK!
   — gina L.

October 10, 2003
I'd discuss this w/ both your Surgeon and OB. I hope that you will wait the 12-18mos that is asked of you. It drives me crazy to hear the Oops....I'm pregnant and only $%&mos PostOp. We should all give our children the ability to be as healty as they can be. Another reason to speak to your doctors is that many recommend beginning Prenatal vitamins 6mos before trying to get pregnant.
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 10, 2003
I am 22 months post op and became pregnant at 18 months post op. I was less than 20 lbs from the bottom rung of my goal weight, but was stablizing nicely. (Pregnancy was a major shock for me...). Your actual weight at pregnancy doesn't really matter, it is your state of health. You really need to be a minimum of 12 months out, optimally 18 months out before ttc. Listen to the previous poster... I echo her exactly. Good luck and check out the yahoo groups on pregnancy after gastric bypass... we are a fun group of women who are pregnant, ttc, or have given birth ater wls!
   — Sharon m. B.

October 10, 2003
My doc says 18 months. I think it would be good to let your weight loss taper off and stabilize before getting pregnant. I had a friend who waited only a year, had not yet made it to goal, or maintained her loss for any length of time before getting pregnant. She ended up gaining back more than half of what she lost post op. (about 80 lbs) Also, you're 23 right? (maybe I read your profile wrong) so, it's not like that biological clock is ticking just yet. Take your time. Get used to the new you.
   — Patricia T.