How to get pregnant after weight loss surgery? - 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community

Clarennce · 01-17-2011, 02:00 AM

I just had weight loss surgery 5 months ago and seem to be having problems becoming pregnant. Can anyone tell me what I could do to better my chances of becoming pregnant?

jillybean720 · 01-17-2011, 06:18 AM

Have you discussed this with your surgeon and ob/gyn? Most professionals in the field will say it's not safe to become pregnant less than 18-24 months after bariatric surgery because it's unlikely you're eating enough to sustain 2 lives, and you may even be in ketosis, which is thought to be detrimental to the fetus. Please be careful.

Leenie · 01-17-2011, 08:25 AM

Clarrence and congrats on the surgery

Please be safe and talk to your surgeon before taking any advice from folks on the internet.

I heard the same thing as Jilly and that you should really wait 18 m - 2 yrs due to the nutritional imbalances that may follow WLS. Its really important to make sure your weight loss has stabilized and you have made it past your 18 m - 2 yr postop anniversary. During the weight loss period we are in what is called a negative nutritional balance, not enough calories are absorbed to support your own weight and such would not be able to support the addition of a growing healthy baby. I've also heard that there is a possibility of birth defects if we become pregnant prior to our weight being stabilized... but again, please talk to your surgeon... I can not stress that enough.

Good luck and welcome to 3FC's

.

rachael · 01-17-2011, 08:34 AM

My surgeon also says 2 years before pregnancy.

jiffypop · 01-17-2011, 09:15 AM

what they said, Clarennce. you MUST discuss this with your surgeon. depending on the type of surgery, pregnany is NOT advised for about two years. if you had the lapband, it might be only a year or so, but that's something to discuss with the doc.

not only are you not eating enough to sustain a pregnancy, you're also having drastic hormone changes because of the weight loss.

and even after your weight has stabilized and the doc says it's OK for you to get pregnant, you will still require CAREFUL supervision. and you'll have to be extra careful with what you eat and with taking your vitamins.