Pregnancy after bariatric surgery

If you already have had bariatric surgery and now you are considering pregnancy, it is better first take a look at this article. You can have a safe and healthy pregnancy after bariatric surgery if you follow your health care team recommendations and then manage it well. If you get pregnant after the weight loss surgery, you and your baby will not face with obesity-related problems during the pregnancy such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes and even a baby with larger birth weight. On the other hand, the chance of getting pregnant will increase after weight loss surgery for women who suffer from infertility due to obesity.

Most experts suggest to wait at least 18 months after the bariatric surgery for pregnancy and even some other believes it is better you get pregnant 2 years after the weight loss surgery because you need to allow your weight to be stabilized.

Post-surgery diet during pregnancy

Since your food and how you eat is different from before of your bariatric surgery, you need to take vitamin and mineral supplement like protein, iron, calcium, and folate every day. You should talk with your doctor about your diet and you need also to do some regular blood test to ensure the level of nutrients in your body. Your weight loss team inform you about suitable foods and the amount of food that you need to eat. They may recommend you to eat several small meals during the day to improve your nutrient absorption.

Necessary supplements in pregnancy for different types of weight loss surgery

You should take pregnancy specific mineral supplement and vitamins post-op any types of bariatric surgery as bellow:

Gastric sleeve surgery

• At the beginning of your pregnancy, you should check your level of iron, vitamin B12, fat-soluble vitamins, and
• You need to take pregnancy specific vitamin and mineral supplements.
• You should do a regular blood test to ensure your nutrient levels in each trimester.

Gastric bypass surgery

• At the beginning of your pregnancy, you should check your level of iron, vitamin B12, fat-soluble vitamins, and
• You need to take pregnancy specific vitamin and mineral supplements as well as calcium, vitamin D and maybe iron supplements.
• You should do a regular blood test to ensure your nutrient levels in each trimester.

Gastric band surgery

• At the beginning of your pregnancy, you should check your level of iron, vitamin B12, fat-soluble vitamins, and
• You need to take pregnancy specific vitamin and mineral supplements.
• When you get pregnant your doctor may ask to remove fluid from your band.

Duodenal switch surgery

• At the beginning of your pregnancy, you should check your level of iron, vitamin B12, fat-soluble vitamins, and
• You need to take pregnancy specific vitamin and mineral supplements as well as calcium, vitamin D and maybe iron supplements.
• You should do a regular blood test to ensure your nutrient levels in each trimester.
• The level of your vitamin A, E and K should be monitored and assessed. For example, too much vitamin A may damage your baby.

Generally, it is recommended for all pregnant women to take 400mcg of folic acid every day until the 12 weeks pregnant. Women who have had bariatric surgery can take up to 5mg of folic acid. Although you need to talk with your doctor as well as his/her prescription for taking folic acid.

Weight regain during pregnancy after bariatric surgery

Usually gaining weight during the pregnancy is vary for each woman. It is normal that you gain some weight during the pregnancy but you can lose them after the delivery if you follow your midwifery and weight-loss surgery team’s advice. Weight regain depends on different factors such as the type of weight loss surgery that you have had or postoperative time. For example, if it is at least 18 months’ post-op your surgery you will gain some weight during the pregnancy but if it hasn’t been long after your surgery you may continue to lose weight. Or if you have had gastric band surgery and now you are pregnant, your surgeon may remove fluid from your band. In this condition, you will gain some weight but you can manage it by healthy eating and exercise.