A Healthy Baby After Bariatric Surgery

Women who have loss significant weight with bariatric surgery often achieve a higher level of confidence, and may feel like it’s time to start a family. Most women however, stop and wonder if their recent bariatric surgery may affect the child or herself in one way or another, a common misconception. In reality, women who have undergone bariatric surgery have just much of a change of giving birth to a healthy baby, as women who have not undergone the procedure. Actually, children born from women who have undergone bariatric surgery show less risk of macrosomia, gestational diabetes and C-sections than associated with diabetes.

There are some important things to keep in mind if you or someone you know, is thinking of getting pregnant after undergoing Bariatric Surgery.

The 18 Month Rule

Bariatric Surgery helps people lose weight incredibly fast and effectively, however this quick loss of weight takes time for your body to get used to. You’re only allowed to eat small fractions of what you were eating prior to surgery, which causes your body to receive much less nutrition than what it was used to. This significant decrease in nutrition is barely enough to sustain your body’s need, much less a baby’s needs. This 18 month period is usually enough to which your body has adapted to the weight loss, the different eating habits and nutritional intake; at this point, your body is better prepared for pregnancy.

Medical Support

It’s important to discuss your pregnancy with both your Obstetrician/Gynecologist and your bariatric surgeon, as well as have them communicate to one another. By working together as a team, their medical advice and expertise can help significantly improve your chances at having a successful pregnancy.

Avoid Pregnancy Traps

During pregnancy, there is a standard glucose tolerance test for gestational diabetes. Taking it may cause some dumping symptoms. These symptoms include but are not limited to sweating, nausea and cramps. It’s important to discuss this with both your OB/GYN and bariatric surgeon, avoid this. An alternative option to this is to have your doctor test for fasting blood sugar, as it shows the same results.

Nutrition Focus

During pregnancy, it’s important to focus on the nutrition for both yourself and the baby. Eating a lot of protein, good fat and complex carbohydrates enriched foods is essential. Remember, now you’re not only eating for yourself, but for two people, so eat healthy and often.

These four simple tips should help you or anyone else who has undergone Bariatric Surgery, have a successful pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby.

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