Question:
How long do you have to wait to get pregnant after LapBand surgery?

I was told 18 months and my friend was told 12 months. She just found out she was pregnant only after 5 months since surgery.    — kbcelliott (posted on September 10, 2007)

September 10, 2007
My surgeon recommended 5 years after surgery. He said you need to give your body time to looses the weight and see if you can maintain the weight and then get pregnant. He said your body goes thru tremendous changes and you have to remeber you will have an extra person to feed and the baby can't necessarily live off your strict diet that you have at first. That baby needs certain nutrients and foods that you may not be able to tolerate so soon. Hope this helps. Just think you will have another person to worry about when you get pregnant. Once you start loosing the weight, you won't want to see your body gain the weight back on so soon. Enjoy the weight loss and the extra things you can do before having a baby.
   — Crystal H.

September 10, 2007
My doctor told me to wait 2 years after surgery.
   — barfiep01

September 10, 2007
my doc adv 18mnth to 2 yrs.
   — jcurry

September 10, 2007
My surgeon stressed the importance of waiting a minimum of 12 months before becomming pregnant. It was not that you could not become pregnant- it was critical to give your body the time to heal from the stress of the surgery as well as the ongoing weight-loss during that time. After all you have done to have this surgery, you, and your "baby" deserve the best possible condition your body can be in. Nutrition and supplements, iron, etc are so important for both a healthy pregnancy as well as a healthy post-op recovery. Always follow your MD's reccomendations- he-she is the best peron to advise when your body will be ready to carry a healthy pregnancy. Good luck!
   — ontm

September 10, 2007
I was told at least two years. The first year is commonly called the Honeymoon phase, because that is when you will loose the majority of your weight and your body goes trhought the malabsorption. It is not healthy for you or the bady during this time. Your body will not have had the time to adjust to its normal weight. You must give it time to level off and also to tolerate more foods for nutrition. Definately not 12mo. Give it at least two years.... I am 5 yrs. Post-op Hope this helps... Your WLS sister Jo Michalko
   — Jo_Michalko

September 10, 2007
I was 2 years 4 months out when I got pregnant (4 months post op. from skin removal). Pregnancy really hit me hard--I had bad headaches, was very fatigued, and had an early baby (35 weeks). If that wasn't bad enough--I got pregnant again 3 months after I delivered #1. So now #2 is on the way. My point is.... Just be careful and know you can do it at any stage, but no matter what, it is going to be harder on our bodies because of the surgery. And another thing--it is so much easier to get pregnant after surgery (I was on the pill after #1 and still got pregnant).
   — GAYLE CARMACK-LYONS

September 11, 2007
My doctor actually told me at my 1yr appointment that he tells women 2yrs in hopes they make it at least 1yr. However I had gastric bypass.
   — tazthewiz23

September 13, 2007
I don't know all the details, bu maybe for they could drain the band to slow her weight loss during pregnancy?
   — Rita E.

September 13, 2007
My surgeon said 1 year is preferred, however, anytime after 6 months was ok. All they do is remove any saline from the band in order to reduce the nausea and vomiting. My husband and I asked this question specifically because we had been trying for 4 years and didn't want to wait that much longer.
   — PurplePixie

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