It’s important to understand that most women who get pregnant after undergoing weight-loss surgery experience a safe and uncomplicated pregnancy and birth. It is, however, advised to wait around 12-18 months after surgery before getting pregnant, as this will be when your weight has stabilised.
Is it safe?
It’s completely safe to get pregnant at any time after weight loss surgery. In fact, it can be hugely safer to get pregnant after surgery due to the lost weight as complications like diabetes, high blood pressure and larger birth weights are reduced. As soon as you know you’re pregnant, talk to your bariatric surgery team.
How should I eat?
Eating well after bariatric surgery is very important, as is during pregnancy. Do not worry that eating less as a result of surgery will affect your baby’s development. This is hugely unlikely as your baby will take what they need in order to develop from you. You can follow your post-surgery diet plan up until the third trimester, when you may need some extra calories. Your midwife and bariatric team will be able to help you figure out what foods are suitable for you at this time, and how much.
Will I regain weight?
It’s unlikely that you will regain all your lost weight during pregnancy. However, you should prepare to gain some extra weight- this is normal. Weight gain is different for everyone during pregnancy and it is something many women worry about. Talk to your bariatric team about how you feel so they can support you and advise you. Pregnancy causes us to gain weight due to our growing babies, as well as amniotic fluid and our placenta. Our bodies reduce more blood, breasts get bigger and so do our muscles and bone mass.
It’s important to remember that your body may still be losing weight post-surgery, so you may not notice any gains.
Monitor your nutrients
Many women find they have nutritional deficiencies post-surgery which can cause to be problematic during pregnancy. The most common nutritional complications associated with bariatric surgery are absences of B12, iron, calcium and vitamin D. Due to nausea during pregnancy, it can be difficult to get the nutrients you need. Talk to your midwife or bariatric team further to ensure your body- and baby- is getting the nutrients it needs.
If you’re a customer of the bariatric group and would like more advice on getting pregnant after surgery, we’d be more than happy to help. For more information, get in touch with a member of the team by visiting our contact page or giving us a call on 01823 215714.
Disclaimer: Please note that weight loss surgery results and benefits are unique to each individual and in such The Bariatric Group cannot guarantee specific weight loss goals as results for each surgery can vary. If you have any questions or would like to know more about weight loss surgery please contact our expert team.
