Pregnancy After Weight Loss Surgery
Anyone choosing weight loss surgery does so because they need to lose a considerable amount of weight. Most candidates for bariatric surgery are at least 100 pounds overweight, and/or have medical conditions associated with their obesity. Studies have shown that many of these medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and obstructive sleep apnea can improve drastically due to the weight loss sustained after surgery. But weight loss surgery is not a quick fix, or an easy way out. Most of the real hard work begins after you come home. Your change in diet, the smaller portions you are able to take in, and exercise will determine the amount of weight you lose and your long-term success.
Birth Control Choices, Why Choose One?
After any surgery for weight loss, the first 12 to 18 months is when you will lose the most weight. Your body will be going through hormonal and physical changes. Some bariatric doctors describe the way your body operates during the first year after surgery as "starvation mode". Your body will be holding on to whatever nutrients it is able to absorb just to maintain yourself. To require your body to support, nourish, and grow another human life during your first year is not wise. Many women have become pregnant during that first year after surgery and they have pregnancy stories that are good and bad. Many were able to carry to full term (40 weeks) and have healthy babies. But for others, the outcome was not as favorable. Some of the potential risks of pregnancy after weight loss surgery, during the first year, are poor fetal growth and low birth weight, severe iron deficiencies in mother and possibly baby (anemia), and possible miscarriage. After you've waited the allotted time recommended by your bariatric doctor, pregnancy after weight loss surgery is possible. You are now at a healthier weight, and hopefully any medical conditions you've had in the past have greatly improved, if not completely gone away.
Prenatal Vitamins, Iron Supplements, and Calcium, Oh My!Chewable prenatal vitamins, and liquid vitamins may be a better choice over the traditional solid pill. They are absorbed by the body quicker, and the chewable vitamins are much easier to be broken down in your pouch. You will also be required to eat additional small meals throughout the day, since you will not be able to consume large amounts of food due to your reduced stomach size. This may be a chore throughout your pregnancy after weight loss surgery, because you will also need to get in your 8 glasses of water a day. If you have had gastric bypass surgery it is recommended that you don't drink anything 30 minutes before a meal, and no sooner than 30 minutes after a meal. This helps the food you take in to be absorbed by your body, an not flushed through by the liquids you drink. If you are planning, or unexpectedly have a lap band pregnancy you have less to worry about. Since gastric banding does not cause malabsorption, and the band can be adjusted. You can simply remove the amount of restriction in your gastric band while you are pregnant. During this time you will have to make a conscious effort not to overeat, while still taking in enough calories to help the fetus inside of you grow. But once the baby is born you can go back to your doctor for a lap band fill, and pick up your weight loss again. So, the level of concern with pregnancy after weight loss surgery depends on your personal bariatric procedure. But a healthy pregnancy is possible with either of them. It is crucial to follow the recommendations of your doctors. You are also urged to use some form of birth control in the first months following weight loss surgery in order to prevent pregnancy.
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