How to Get Pregnant After Gastric Bypass Surgery

Congratulations, you've lost significant weight with gastric bypass surgery. Now you're ready to start a family. Despite some misconceptions, babies born to women who had gastric bypass surgery have just as much of a chance at being perfectly healthy as babies born to other women. In fact, the results of some studies indicate less risk of macrosomia, gestational diabetes and C-sections than associated with diabetes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Wait 18 months. After gastric bypass surgery, you're only allowed to eat a small fraction of what you ate prior. Yes, you lose weight immediately. But your body starts to breakdown. You barely get enough nutrition for your own body, much less a baby. During the 18 month period, you'll likely meet your weight loss goals and your body will be better able to provide better for your baby.

2. Build a support team. Discuss your plans with your OB/GYN and bariatric surgeon. They should also be talking to each other. By working as a team, you'll have the best chance at having a successful pregnancy.

3. Avoid pregnancy traps. There's a standard glucose tolerance test for gestational diabetes. But if you take it, it can cause several "dumping" symptoms. For instance: sweating, nausea, cramps, diarrhea and heart palpitations. If your weight loss surgeon communicates with your OB/GYN, you can steer clear of pitfalls like this. Instead, have your doctor test your fasting blood sugar. It will show the same thing.

4. Focus on nutrition. It's difficult for gastric bypass patients to get enough nutrition for two people, but you can make your calories count. Eat lots of protein, good fats and complex carbohydrates. Carry protein snacks in your purse and eat often.

Tips & Warnings

• In the first 18 months, doctors say you should use at least 2 forms of birth control. Because of your stomach size, you may not be able to absorb enough of a birth control pill to make it effective. And, as you lose weight, diaphragms often need to be readjusted.
• In rare cases, babies born after gastric bypass experience nutritional deficiencies that require intravenous feeding.

Resources

• Watch a video on Web MD about getting pregnant after gastric bypass surgery.

[poetkelly]

on 11/14/2009 This is excellent advice. Thanks for a great article.

[souhazeidane]

on 7/25/2009 i had my operation 6 months ago and we r thinking of starting a family . i've lost 27 kgs .. till now... but will i gain the weight back? and will i be able to let it go again. and CAN I START PLANNING A BABY IN 5-6 MONTHS. TO TAKE MEDICINES AND VITAMINS.
thank u

[ababus]

on 11/26/2007 I had gastric bypass in 2003. I married late in 2004. I have had 2 miscarriages and I am currently 5 months pregnant. All of my pregnancies have been with my present husband. I am gaining weight now. I did not the first 2 pregnanies. I never made it to full term. I am healthy now. I have gained 31 lbs in the first 5 months. This kills me, but for the first time, I feel pregnant. I know that my baby is healthy and I know this time it is for real. This is the first time in my life that it is not about me. My husband doesn't care about the weight. No one does. It is about the baby. We will take it from there. It is no longer about me. It is about what I can bring to this world and hopefully about the understanding that my surgery and my heartache can bring to others.