Question:
Has anyone out there gotten pregnant or tried to get pregnant after having WLS?
I don't have any children (I'm 23), and my surgeon said I will still be able to, but I'm wondering about the realistic complications involved. — Gina V. (posted on August 2, 2000)
August 2, 2000
I have a friend who is 35. She had an open RNY in October of 1994(I don't
know if it was proximal or distal).
She has been trying forever to get pregnant. She finally resulted to
fertility drugs. About 2 months ago she found out she was pregnant. 2-3
weeks later she miscarried. her specialist told her he thinks it is from
not being able to get enough nutrients to the baby because of her WLS in
94. He was also concerned with all of the scar tissue from the WLS too.
She still seems optimistic tho and shes going to try again.
— ckinnerson
August 2, 2000
Gina,
I had the same question. I found an online group of people that have all
had WLS and are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. I found it on the one
list group. Anyway, I just wanted to reassure you that there are hundereds
of people that have had WLS nad had successful pregnancies. I think that
the most important thing is to wait until you are at least 18 months post
op and eating well.
— Brenda B.
August 3, 2000
I'm not trying to get pregnant, but I know WLS does not prevent you from
doing so. In fact, many younger women have WLS because their excess weight
has made them infertile. One women in my support group cautioned us at how
EASY it was to get pregnant once the weight started to come off, so be
careful! You should wait at least a year though after WLS. Talk to your
surgeon, and when the time comes, be sure your OB-GYN is fully familiar
with your surgery and what it means. Best of luck.
— Paula G.
August 3, 2000
I had no problem getting pregnant after having a RNY in '96. I found out I
was pregnant 16 months after surgery. I had tried for 3 years to get
pregnant before my surgery with no luck. (I did not have a period during
those 3 years, because I was overweight. I started my period a day or two
after surgery, and it has been regular ever since.) I for one, was, am,
and always will be severely malnutritioned, and it didn't cause a problem
for me. All people are different though, so I could have just been one of
the lucky ones. The only problem I had while pregnant (I was considered
high risk because of the RNY) was being anemic. I had to take 4-5 iron
tablets a day, which still did not help. I had a 7 pound baby girl by
c-section (never went into labor, even after a 24 induction) and both of us
have done really well. I wish you the best of luck!!
— Shelly T.
November 5, 2003
Hadn't reached my goal weight when I discovered I was pregnant! At 41
years old and over 10 years of no birth control it was quite a surprise.
I'm now 34 weeks and have gained 11 pounds. My OB says baby is growing
ahead of schedule and is doing great, so I'm guessing the 11 pounds and
plus are all baby:) My scar is getting a few little stretch marks but
other than that things have gone pretty smooth. Eating small, frequent
meals is how you're supposed to be eating when you're pregnant anyway.
Also, I make sure to take my vitamins!
— Maria H.
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