Pregnancy after Bariatric Surgery
A very common side effect of obesity is infertility. Several factors associated with obesity can all contribute to the inability to have a child including:
- Hormonal imbalances caused by obesity
- Fertility issues caused by weight-related diabetes
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- And more…
Remember, infertility due to obesity can also affect men, causing lower testosterone and Erectile Dysfunction.
Because many of these fertility issues can be improved or resolved by losing weight, patients are often excited about the possibility of having children after their weight loss procedure. Further, a pregnancy after successful bariatric surgery can be less complicated than a pregnancy for an obese woman.
Considerations of Pregnancy After Bariatric Surgery
Your diet will be restricted after surgery and, as such, you may not be able to consume sufficient nutrients to keep both you and your baby healthy. By 18 to 24 months after surgery, your weight loss will begin to slow and you may have even reached your goal weight which will allow for a diet and supplementation regimen that is more appropriate for pregnancy.
Another consideration of pregnancy is excess skin. Depending on your body type as well as the procedure you have undergone and the rate at which you lose weight, you may experience some excess skin after surgery. Many of our patients opt for a tummy tuck or similar plastic surgery procedure to correct this extra skin. If you are looking to become pregnant, we suggest postponing any skin tightening surgery as the pregnancy will result in loosening of the skin once again, negating the benefits of the procedure.
Ultimately, it is of primary importance to ensure the safety of both mother and child during the pregnancy, so discuss your plans with your surgeon to make sure everyone is on the same page.
If you are looking to become pregnant, we hope that bariatric surgery, the resultant weight loss and associated improvement in medical conditions offers the solution that you need. However, we want you and to be as safe as possible after bariatric surgery, so please contact us to learn more.