Question:
Can a post op be a surrogate mother?

Has anyone been a surrogate mother after gastric bypass?    — Lisa L. (posted on April 26, 2004)

April 26, 2004
i don't know about anyone being a surragte, but i know lots and lots of women have healthy babies after wls. it is best to ask your GYN.
   — franbvan

April 27, 2004
Pregnancy after gastric bypass is considered high risk. Although many women go on to healthy babies of thier own post-op, if you are considering being a surrogate for hire, you may be disqualified based on the high risk factors. It's best to ask your surgeon and ob/gyn. If this is a situation where you are volunteering for a friend or family member that cannot concieve, you might want to have them with you when you discuss the risk factors. Good luck.
   — Michelle B.

April 27, 2004
Hi Lisa~ I dont know why Michelle was telling you that pregnancy is high risk. I am 10 months post op, and 14 weeks pregnant and everything is great!! Its up to the Docs to determine if you are high risk or not..... ~Rachel
   — rachel02631

April 27, 2004
Personally, I would not hire someone as a surrogate who had had gastric bypass due to the possible nutritional deficiencies. Would I have a child myself even though I had a bypass? Sure! (if I were younger :) But if I was using a surrogate, I would opt for someone who absorbed all their nutrients if I had an option. If this was something you were thinking of doing for a family member, that may be a different story.
   — mom2jtx3

April 27, 2004
I just wanted to reply to Rachel's comment. Lots and lots of women have wonderful, healthy babies after WLS. However, a post WLS pregnancy is always considered high risk simply because of the nutritional aspects. It's not to say you can't have a healthy baby - most OB/GYNs just require more monitoring. I don't know for sure but, like the other poster said, I would imagine that gastric bypass would disqualify you for consideration to be a surrogate. Best wishes all!
   — ronascott

April 27, 2004
I also need to disagree with Michelle, I am currently 37 weeks pregnant and almost 2 years post op. Neither my surgeon nor my regular OB/GYN saw me as high risk. Bloodwork is great, baby is great. Not to say some women aren't high risk due to other factors, but it is not an automatic assumption. <p> But I will agree with Linda B. I had thought about being a surrogate (after mine is born of course!!) but then I got to thinking that both the agencies and the parents might have some reservations due to the surgery. Maybe since I would have proof of a successful healthy pregnancy after RNY, that might go in my favor, but who knows.
   — Ali M

April 27, 2004
Rachael, perhaps Michelle's answer came because we have seen many [pst ops on here crying over their miscarriages. It is a very sad thing to go thru. Yes, it is up to the doc if you are high risk or not but most of the wl surgeons will refer their patiebnts to a high risk ob. If you have been on the board very long, you surely have read the sad stories that appear. I wish you continued success with your pregnancy. Sounds as if you are doing well.
   — Delores S.