Getting pregnant after bariatric surgery is possible, although specific nutritional care, such as vitamin supplements, is often needed to ensure intake of all nutrients important for baby development and mother health.
However, in most cases, it is recommended to wait at least 1 year for the woman to become pregnant, as the woman’s body and the amount of hormones in circulation are already more stabilized, leaving the woman more prepared for the new changes that are taking place..due to pregnancy.
- In addition.
- There are also cases where bariatric surgery is used as a means to improve a woman’s fertility.
- As weight loss causes hormonal changes.
- As well as improving self-image and self-esteem.
- Increasing sexual desire.
Post-bariatric pregnancy should be controlled by the obstetrician, to evaluate the good development of the baby, but it is also important to follow up strictly with the nutritionist, since it is necessary to adapt the diet to the possible lack of nutrients caused by the decrease of the stomach.
Some of the nutrients most affected by surgery that normally need to be supplemented are:
Thus, in addition to prenatal consultations, made by the obstetrician, the pregnant woman should also make regular consultations with the nutritionist to treat nutritional deficiencies, prevent or treat problems related to her deficiency.
In addition, abdominal pains, vomiting, heartburn and hypoglycaemia are also more common in this type of pregnancy, and nutritionist follow-up is therefore essential to control these types of symptoms, see some precautions that help alleviate these pregnancy disorders.
Pregnancy after bariatric surgery should be planned and monitored by the obstetrician and nutritionist so that there are no vitamin deficiencies and complications for the mother and baby.It is recommended that women also plan not to become pregnant shortly after surgery, using effective contraception, such as the IUD, for example, usually indicated by the gynecologist.
Bariatric surgery after pregnancy is generally not indicated as a way to help the mother regain weight before pregnancy, but may be recommended by the doctor, in very specific cases of very high weight gain.
In any case, even if performed by laparoscopy, which is a less invasive form of surgery, stomach reduction can only occur according to medical evaluation, after the mother has fully recovered from childbirth.
Learn more about how this can be done and the cost of bariatric surgery.