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Undergoing weight loss surgery before deciding to become pregnant is a sound decision that can lead to a healthier pregnancy and safer delivery overall. We’re frequently asked about the best time to consider a weight loss surgery when planning to become pregnant or to have another child.

Women are sometimes worried that having a weight loss surgery could be harmful to a healthy pregnancy or to their baby. However, depending on your timetable, losing the weight first before becoming pregnant is not only safe, but can lead to an easier pregnancy experience overall.

We suggest that you first decide what your timetable is for pregnancy and then determine whether pregnancy will fit into your personal health and family plans before making a decision to have weight loss surgery. First and foremost, know that pregnancy is not affected by having a surgery. However, women should avoid pregnancy for at least one year after weight loss surgery. Why? Rapid weight loss and nutritional deficiencies can be harmful to a developing fetus. Immediately following surgery, you will most likely be losing rapid weight and adjusting to your new eating habits. During this transition period to a newer, slimmer you, a pregnancy is not recommended. Once a year has passed and you have returned to a regular diet that is imperative while pregnant, you should be able to have a healthy and typical pregnancy.

When to become pregnant and when to have a weight loss surgery is something that will require careful thought and we welcome discussing your considerations and concerns with you to help you reach your decision. You may also wish to visit with your ob/gyn as well. But you certainly don’t have to wait until having children before having a weight loss surgery. But do consider these facts from pregnancy-info.net:

• Obesity and overall health is a contributing factor to difficulty in becoming pregnant. Having an active lifestyle and maintaining a proper weight helps increase the likelihood of becoming - and staying - pregnant. That’s because fat stores change the levels of hormones your body produces and makes it more difficult to become pregnant.
• Obesity has many health risks associated with pregnancy for the mother, including high blood pressure, fluid retention and swelling, gestational diabetes, and an increased likelihood of a Cesarean section delivery.
• Obesity also puts your developing baby at risk, including neural tube defects, and Macrosoma, which is a condition in which your baby puts on too much weight during development.

Let us know if we can answer any additional questions about this very important decision in your life!