Question:
weight GAIN during/after pregnancy

HI, MY SISTER IS WANTING TO HAVE THIS SURGERY, BUT SHE ALSO IS WANTING TO HAVE A BABY WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR OR 2, SHE IS CONCERNED THAT IF SHE HAS THE SURGERY THEN IN A COUPLE YEARS GETS PREGNANT SHE WILL REGAIN MOST OF THE WEIGHT BACK...WILL SHE? HOW DID YOU DO WITH YOUR PREGNANCY? THX    — Karen W. (posted on March 21, 2003)

March 21, 2003
I think that is a risk, pregnancy or not. But I don't feel pregnancy is death sentence for WLS- she could do that alone by drinking milkshakes all day. WLS just shrinks the size of your stomach, it all depends on what you put into that stomach that controls your weight gain and loss. What pregnancy does do that is frustrating is mess with your hormones, and increases your appetite, still you have a limit! Which is a great thing! I cannot overeat! Even though I would like to mack down on an entire pizza, I can only eat 1 piece. Sometimes I do graze, and will eat again in a half hour. But like, I said- I am happy to get what I can. So far- I have only gained 5lbs and am 33 weeks- however we are all different and others may gain more. I had some food adversions in the beginning, and stuck to basic proteins (milk, fruit, yogurt, string cheese) just to get something in.. Currently I do eat what I want when I want, because 1. I am not trying to maintain during pregnancy 2. I am happy to get food down, period. If that means fast food - whatever- I have essentially turned off my weight concerns during this time frame. I also think by my minimal weight gain, I have not been "abusing" my situation. There are also many women who lose weight during pregnancy, WLS or not. She cannot expect to forsee the future. What's funny (or not to some!)is that I needed this surgery in order to GET pregnant, and your sister worried about it in the opposite in way! Have her chat with her surgeon. Or you (or anyone) can also e-mail me direct. Good luck...
   — Karen R.

March 21, 2003
I am 33 and 10mos post-op and a loose size 10. I hope to be at my goal weight within the next couple of months. I am no longer overweight but I want to shed 17 more pounds and be a comfy size 8 when I get pregnant. My surgeon said several of his patients have had healthy babies post-op. Your sister just needs to inform her OBGYN about the procedure and make sure she keeps the baby nurished. I've heard it is actualy hard to gain the pregnancy weight. I want to get pregnant this summer and I will try to pack on the neccessary lbs the baby needs. I'm sure it will fall off after I have the baby. She needs to focus on a healthy baby ad not the 10-15lbs she may put on. I figure if I put on 10-15lbs and it never came off I would still be a size 10 and not overweight. Who can complain about that? Not me!
   — Michelle H.

March 21, 2003
I read a medical journal article published by Dr. Wittgrove (Carnie's surgeon), and in it he states that post-RNY pregnancy is fine, babies are a little smaller (but not dangerously so), and that most post-RNY moms lose their pergnancy weight FASTER than non-WLS moms (i.e., in 6 to 8 weeks). You just have to be VERY careful about your vitamins (have the ob/gyn consult with the WL surgeon, even before getting pregnant and again after). Also, DON'T get the usualy test for gestational diabetes at 26-28 weeks (where you drink the sugary orange stuff) - the results are uninterpretable for RNYers, but there are other tests they can do for gestational diabetes instead.
   — Patricia E.

March 21, 2003
My daughter became pregnant 20 months post-lap RNY and now is the very proud mother of a beautiful 8-month-old daughter. She had the same concerns and asked our bariatric surgeon to consult with her OB physician. He recommended simply doubling her daily prenatal vitamins, and monitoring a comprehensive metabolic panel every two months during the pregnancy. She had an uncomplicated full-term pregnancy and her labs were actually better during the pregnancy than before...and the baby weighed 8 1/2 lbs. She had lost 220 lbs. before the pregnancy and still had about 40 more to go to reach her personal goal. She gained 30 lbs. during the pregnancy, lost that within the first six weeks after delivery and has now continued to lose an additional 12 lbs. The physicians estimate that her remaining weight will all be lost with a future tummy tuck and thighplasty, but she plans to wait on plastic surgery until she and her husband have decided on future children. Best wishes!
   — Diana T.