Can I Get Pregnant After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Question Below Submitted By:  

Kelly (a patient from Virginia)

Ok. Here I go… Let me tell you a little about me. I’m about to be 34. I have no kids. I’ve recently had 2 miscarriages. My husband and I would really like to have a baby.

I have high blood pressure, I runs in my family. I’m 5’7 and weigh about 250. My BMI is I believe 37? Anyway, all of my fat is in my belly and my back! Not my legs or arms, not butt or boobs, not thighs. Just belly and back fat. And my stomach looks like I was really fat at one time and lost a lot of weight and it just hangs there.

What my question is, can I still get pregnant after I have this sleeve done. Because this is something I would like to help me lose this belly and help with my blood pressure. And maybe after I lose about 60 pounds I could get surgery to get a tummy tuck so I could get rid of this rash I have already. But looking at me, you would never guess what is under these clothes. Thanks for your help in advance.

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01.

Expert Responses to the Question Above

Surgeon response to "Can I Get Pregnant After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?"

by: John Rabkin, M.D., Pacific Laparoscopy

Kelly,

You absolutely can get pregnant after undergoing a gastric sleeve procedure! In fact, as obesity often is accompanied by infertility, many women find that they are much more fertile after undergoing weight loss surgery (WLS.) Many studies have also conclusively demonstrated that you will have a much safer pregnancy in terms of your baby's development in utero (and a lower chance of experiencing a miscarriage) after losing weight from WLS.

However, you should avoid pregancy while you are still losing weight after the procedure; wait until your weight stabilizes after WLS to become pregnant. Furthermore, you will need to especially focus on your nutrition when pregnant as you'll be consuming fewer nutrients needed for your baby's in utero development after WLS; many pregnant women who have undergone prior WLS are followed by 'high risk pregnancy' clinics for this reason.

However, with your careful attention, you and your husband can look forward to having a family after your gastric sleeve surgery!

John Rabkin, M.D.
Pacific Laparoscopy

(click here for Dr. Rabkin's full bio & contact info)

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the details provided. The above should never replace the advice of your local physicians as they have the ability to evaluate you in person.

Related Pages:
- Pregnancy After Weight Loss Surgery

02.

Patient Responses to the Question Above

Pregnancy 2.5 months after WLS

by: Michelle

Hello,

my question is before my WLS I was overweight, I have PCOS and I was not ovulating let alone having a period for over 5 yrs. I miscarried 5 babies, I do have 2 live children.

I had WLS 2/15/17 and had my first period 03/09/17 (the first in over 5 yrs). I had protected sex one time shortly after and now I am pregnant. My surgeon tells me I won't gain weight but they changed my eating habits and calorie intake which I am struggling with because I have to eat 6x a day instead of 3x.

Right now it seems impossible because I have bad morning sickness. Do I still have a high chance of miscarriage as before? I know longer have high BP, insulin resistances, I am 57 lbs lighter, and all my hormone levels are normal.

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* Disclaimers: Content: The information contained in this website is provided for general information purposes and your specific results may vary depending on a variety of circumstances. It is not intended as nor should be relied upon as medical advice. Rather, it is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her existing physician(s). Before you use any of the information provided in the site, you should seek the advice of a qualified medical, dietary, fitness or other appropriate professional. Advertising: Bariatric Surgery Source, LLC has entered into referral and advertising arrangements with certain medical practices, original equipment manufacturers, and financial companies under which we receive compensation (in the form of flat fees per qualifying action) when you click on links to our partners and/or submit information. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Read More

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