Pregnancy Before or After Obsity Surgery

[kkellysc]

I'm going back and forth trying to decide if it's a good idea  to have gastic bypass surgery before or after having children.  I'm afraid of the complications related to being overweight but I also don't want to have the surgery only to gain it back.  I spoke to my doctor who was unsure which was the best route to take.  Any insight is appreciated.

Thanks!

[Mom2be530]

This is a big decision and your smart for trying to think of everything before surgery, research is good.  I'm not a "skinny" girl by any means and I tend to be more on the heavy side.  Its better to be at a good weight, on prenatals, and all that good stuff before getting pregnant.  It cuts down on possible preterm labor, gestational diabeties, and low birth weight to name a few.  However, I've never had any of these problems.  

I personally have not had gastric bypass or the lapband sugery, but I do suffer from a rare stomach disorder called gastroparesis.  Gastroparesis is usually associated with diabeties, but its also been known to affect people who have had the gastric bypass.  Mine is idiopathic so I don't know why I have it.  Gastroparesis is defined as paralization in the stomach due to damage to the vegas nerve.  The vegas never is responsible for making your stomach contract to digest food.  I live constantly nauseated, vomitting, and in pain.  If I eat food it rots in my stomach until I throw up.  There is no cure for gastroparesis, only two options:  feeding tubes or a gastric pacemaker.  I have had both.  Thankfully I no long have the feeding tubes because I was able to get the pacemaker.  The pacer is usually not covered by insurance because it is "experimental" used in under 4,000 people a year.  The surgery generally cost $41,000.00 and I had to pay in cash before the doctor would even touch me.  Before the pacer I would vomit 16-18 times a day, now on a good day..maybe 5-6 times.  I also have a chemport.  Because I vomit so much I get dehydrated super fast.  I have home health and I give myself iv. fluids, iv. zofran, and iv phenergan.  I spend a lot of time in the er.  I have known people who did have the gastric bypass and did fine.  However, this is a posibility and you need to be aware.  When they do the surgery they make your stomach super small.  There are also lost of suppliments and things you will have to learn about.  While not having full blown gp some people still suffer with sever nausea.  Your intake of nutrients will be tricky and if you did decide you wanted to have children it might make it a bit harder.  I'm high risk, not because of the baby, but because of my other issues.  I knew I was too sick to try to have more kids, but birth control failed me so we are dealing with it.  Iv. fluids and prenatals are my baby's life line and its hard.  I'm 16 weeks and I already visit the OB on a two week basis.  I've had 13 u/s because they have to make sure the baby has enough fluid and that its growing correctly.  So far all is well.  Children after gastric bypass is possible, it just might be harder on you.  

Just keep researching, take your time, and I know you'll make the right decision for yourself and your family.  I don't want to scare you, but I also wouldn't wish gastroparesis on anyone.  Hope this kinda helps.  Take care and if you have the chance let me know what you decided.  : )

[Waiting4myprincess]

Just to give you some hope.....I am 27 years old and 2 years ago (April 2005) I had gastric bypass surgery. I have lost over 130 pounds and I am also currently 39 weeks pregnant and actually going in to have my baby by c-section tomorrow. I would NEVER have been able to become pregnant if I didn't have my gastric bypass surgery. Yes, there is always risks afterwards but the benefits outweighed the bad for me. My daughter that I am carrying right now is perfectly healthy and beautiful. The only thing that I had to do differently from the other women in this forum is take more vitamins and that is because of the surgery I obviously can't eat as much as I could before so I have to make sure the baby was getting all the nutrition that she needed. I am here to answer any of your questions if you have any. Please feel free to contact me. Like I said, I am going in to have my baby tomorrow so if you don't hear from me right away that is why, but I promise that I WILL write back eventually.

Take care!!

[Waiting4myprincess]

P.S. I have only gained 25 pounds with this pregnancy and I was told that I should be able to lose it fairly quickly. Like I said, I am 2 years out and I have NOT gained any weight back other than when I became pregnant. I will let you know how easily the weight comes off. But I do have to warn you, women that have had gastric bypass surgery CAN gain ALOT of the weight back if they are not careful. You just have to be careful what you eat. You can do it.

[Mom2be530]

I was thinking about it and I think you should also look into the lapband procedure.  Their are risks for both of them and it will come down to whatever you feel is best.  The actual bypass surgery is perminant, no going back after.  The lapband can also give you desired affect but its less invasive.  They place the band, but then the doctors can adjust it from the outside as needed.  They can make the stomach space bigger or smaller.  I don't know, I'm just tossing you my recent thoughs.  If I had to choose one for myself, I'd probably to the lapband.  Also insurace can play a part.  The insurance I have would cover gastric bypass, but not the lapband (my mom looked into it thats how I know a tiny bit about it).  Check out your insurace to.