Question:
Are any post-ops reluctant to get pregnant because you dread gaining weight?

   — Virginia N. (posted on January 11, 2005)

January 11, 2005
Yes, Virginia, I was terrified (still am) of unrelentless weight gain. I had my gastric bypass about 3.5 yrs ago and originally lost 150, but gained 20 lbs back about a yr or so ago (rebound...pretty normal). I have maintained my weight since then. I am currently 4 months pregnant and have only gained a few lbs...but it's early yet! When you are pregnant (I'm a first time mom, so this is new to me, you may already know this)...your focus is protein (just like the post op wls diet)..so I find myself really trying to eat right (even more so than I did through out my early post op days). I'm kind of amazed that I haven't gained more weight, because since I've found out I was pregnant, I have lifted many of my personal restrictions (regular foods instead of low fat or sugar free...more milk...etc). My excitement over the baby has freed me from some of my major food issues...I'm finding that I don't obsess over food as I did...I feel like I have something more important to focus on...I really do think I'm going to get through this without becoming severly obese like the good 'ol days (maybe won't ever see 130 again, but such is life). Good luck to you, in what ever you decide (ps..I was scheduled for a tummy tuck and breast lift about a yr ago, and cancelled because hubby and I started the "baby negotiations"...I decided to hold off until sometime after the baby is here)...I may be 40 by then...I'll finally have that body I never had at 18!! hehe...good luck! Kim
   — KimBo36

January 12, 2005
YES! YES! I have thought about this many times, and just never thought to put it in a question here! Although, I do think I will try to get pregnant even though I am terrified of the weight gain. I think that exercise and healthy eating are the keys, though. I know it's harder said than done. We were thinking of trying in the next few months.
   — raye

January 12, 2005

   — Virginia N.

January 13, 2005
Hi ladies, I have had my post-op baby already - she's almost 8 months old now. I cannot say I was deathly afraid of gaining the weight. I did not look forward to it, but I knew it was for the baby and we really really wanted a baby! I gained a total of 40 pounds, most of it toward the last couple of months due to fluid retention. I almost went to the hospital barefoot b/c my shoes almost did not fit - that is how swollen I was! But, by the time the baby was 2 weeks old, I had lost about 35-37 of that 40. I went on to take off even more and ended up weighing less than I did when I got pregnant. Weight gain during pregnancy does not have to turn into permanent weight gain - especially if you don't go on a 9 month binge!
   — Ali M

January 13, 2005
at 44 with 3 grown kids I am not in the mood to make a baby, altho I technically could.... The idea of pregnancy weight gain is horrifying. That is what started me on this road in the first place.
   — **willow**