Question:
HOW LONG DO WE SUPPOSE TO WAIT AFTER WLS TO GET PREGNANT

HAVE THER BEEN A LIST OF DEALTH DUE TO THE WLS AFTER PREGNANT. SHALL I SAY CAN GETTING PREGNANT AFTER HAVING THE WLS KILL ME?    — lisa A. (posted on March 26, 2006)

March 26, 2006
from the ppl in our support group, our doctors in colorado springs want ppl to wait at least a year or more. I would say u should speak to your surgeon
   — Steve Cohen

March 26, 2006
Our surgeon recommends two years but I have heard as little as one. Ask your surgeon and also, there is a forum for pregnancy after WLS here on this site that you could check out.
   — classite

March 26, 2006
My surgeon says two years. I don't think it would kill YOU. However think about it, you're eating far less than one normal person should so that you can lose weight. Post-ops have a hard time getting all the vitamins and stuff they personally need, now imagine where would the baby growing inside of you get his or her nutrients from? Can't be healthy for either of you. You need to wait until your weight has stablized before getting pregnant.
   — orangepeels

March 26, 2006
I know one day who found she was pregnant 2 WEEKS post op. Mom and baby were fine. She had to be followed carefully and supplement just right. I have never heard of a postie dying from getting pregnant. Many women are infertile as MO and their fertility soars as the weight falls off. Most surgeons suggest a year or two. On a practical side just think how much easier it will be chasing after a toddler being thin. MO takes a average of 15 YEARS off our life expectancy. Get surgery first so you can be there for your children.
   — bob-haller

March 26, 2006
I was told 18 months. One thing you need to take into consideration is plastic surgery. Some surgeons do the fascia so tight with a tummy tuck that pregnancy can be quite painful, and then you would simply end up with horrid stretch marks and unnecessary pain. Then again, you could probably get the tummy tuck AFTER you were sure you were done having kids and it could be nice and taut!
   — j_coulter

March 26, 2006
I asked my surgeon about getting pregnant at my last check up. I am only 9 months post-op so I have a ways to go before I can even consider it. He told me he would like my weight loss to slow significantly or stop before I think about getting pregnant. The earliest date he would consider would be 18 months post-op to even begin thinking about pregnancy. I also just had my annual OB/GYn exam and the OB/GYN said that he has had several patients post RNY that have had very successful pregnancies. He did not seem so concerned about the growth of the baby, nutrition, etc. He was more interested in the surgical method the surgeon used to perform my surgery. So when the time comes he is going to consult with my surgeon. I think if you have any concerns you should speak with both your surgeon and your Ob/GYN and maybe get the two of them to speak. Together they should be able to answer all of your questions and keep both you and the baby healthy.
   — pumpkelina

March 26, 2006
Check with your surgeon to get his guidelines, but mine only required me to wait a year. I've had two babies post-op, with no problems or complications with either. Good Luck.
   — Ali M

March 26, 2006
Hello- I am still in the insurance approval phase but am hoping to get a rny in July (6 mos. of dr. supervised dieting, blah, blah, blah..) Anyway, infertility is one of my reasons for having the surgery. I was told that a year or more is a good amount of time to wait. My understanding is that it is not a risk to your health but is a risk to the unborn child's health because of the lack of nutrition. So, they made it very clear to me that I had to wait at least one year until I am getting enough nutrition in to support a pregnancy. Also, they said that birth control is really important (I'm like...Hello?..infertility remember?). But they said that estrogen is stored in fat and when you start to lose weight, you release estrogen. Therefore, women that were infertile can become extremely fertile myrtle. Good luck to you. I wish you all the best!
   — amysocko

March 27, 2006
Most recommendations are to wait at least one year post-op. I was two years post-op when I became pregnant. I am now 5 months along with twins and am having no problems. Babies are exactly at the weight they should be. My girlfriend also delivered healthy twins two years ago after bypass surgery.
   — scortch1

March 27, 2006
I believe we are supposed to wait 18 months post op for optimal health of you and your baby. I wouldnt't try it any sooner.
   — Peggy G.

March 27, 2006
From reading the answers posted to this question, I am gathering that it depends on your surgeon. My doctor and his partners make it clear to wait a mininum of two years after surgery. I am also assuming that it would vary depending on case by case also. My word of adivce is to talk with your doctor and see what his/her recomendation is. Good luck.
   — pmrazo

March 28, 2006
Hello Lisa, I was told you should wait any where from 18 months to 2 years before getting Pregnant. I would suggest contacting your surgeon and Primary Care Doctor for their advise.
   — Maddielq

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