What Happens If You Get Pregnant Too Soon After Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery is a highly successful treatment for obesity and related comorbidities, including fertility. It helps with significant weight loss and boosts fertility in people who are facing problems conceiving due to excess weight. It also improves overall health and prevents other pregnancy complications often caused by an unhealthy weight.
However, for people who have had bariatric surgery, especially reproductive-age women who are thinking of pregnancy, it is important to understand the potential complications of bariatric surgery caused during pregnancy. However, these complications can be managed.
Pregnancy following bariatric surgery is safe but needs careful planning and specialised care to keep both the mother and the baby healthy. This article is embedded with potential risks and complications that may appear if a woman becomes pregnant too soon after bariatric surgery.
Before knowing the complications, let’s know some important considerations to take into account post-surgery:
The timeline between bariatric surgery and pregnancy:
Generally, the waiting period for pregnancy after bariatric surgery is 12 to 18 months. This is a timeline set by experts so that your body can stabilize, optimize nutritional status, and achieve desired weight loss goals. This time gap also ensures your recovery from bariatric surgery.
Stabilizing your weight before conception:
Maintaining a healthy weight is very important before getting pregnant. Bariatric surgery leads to rapid weight loss, which can have adverse effects on the health of both mother and baby. Collaborate with your surgeon or registered dietitian to gain and maintain a healthy weight.
Assess your nutritional status and deficiencies:
Bariatric surgery is a major surgical procedure that alters the anatomy of your stomach. The new system changes the ability of your body to absorb and process nutrients from the food you consume. If you are thinking of pregnancy, then assessing your nutritional status and taking steps to fix any deficiencies would be the first step. You may need to undergo regular blood tests to observe the status of important nutrients in the body, such as iron, folate, vitamin D, and B12. If you are short of any of these nutrients, doctors may recommend taking nutritional supplements to meet your specific needs.
Risks and complications one may experience becoming pregnant too soon after bariatric surgery
If you have undergone bariatric surgery and are considering pregnancy after surgery, then you should be aware of the risks and complications of early pregnancy. Though bariatric surgery helps you lose weight and improve your overall health, it’s important to consider certain factors when it comes to pregnancy.
Below are some complications of early pregnancy that may occur after surgery.
Fetal development and growth:
In the early stages of bariatric surgery, you may face nutritional instability. As maternal nutrition plays an important role in the development of the fetus, inadequate nutrients can inhibit fetal growth and development. Taking advice from your doctor before you start your pregnancy trials is very important to make sure that you have a healthy nutritional status that supports optimal fetal growth.
Potential complications during pregnancy and childbirth:
People who have undergone bariatric surgery might need to face certain pregnancy complications, which include gestational diabetes, preeclampsia (hypertension), and C-sections. However, these complications can be mitigated by regular prenatal check-ups and proper medical treatment.
Discuss with your OBG/GYN about the bariatric surgery you had so that they can care for your pregnancy
Inform your gynaecologist about the type of bariatric surgery you had, whether it was a gastric bypass procedure or a gastric band, etc. Also, let your doctor know if you experience any complications, like repeated surgeries, blood clots, or blood transfusions from the procedure.
After bariatric surgery, many women experience regular and frequent menstrual cycles, which increases their chances of conception. Some women can have healthy pregnancies soon after their bariatric surgery, but their weight and nutrition should be monitored more closely. However, it is better to plan pregnancy after 18 months of bariatric surgery.
Impact of pregnancy on the results of weight loss:
Naturally, pregnant women gain weight, which can make it challenging to maintain their weight loss goals for women who have had bariatric surgery. As weight gain is inevitable during pregnancy, it is crucial to ensure that it is within a healthy range. Work closely with your healthcare team so that they can guide you toward healthy eating habits and physical activity for a healthy pregnancy.
Dr. Venugopal Pareek, one of the best bariatric surgeons in Hyderabad, says that by considering these post-surgery factors and taking guidance from your healthcare team, you can improve your chances of having a healthy pregnancy. Remember, the circumstances of every individual may differ, so it is your responsibility to have open and honest communication either with your bariatric surgeon or gynaecologist to receive personalized guidance that meets your specific needs.
Consult Dr. Venugopal Pareek to get the best weight loss solutions, including any kind of bariatric surgery. Call +91 91-777-77715 for a doctor’s appointment right away.
