Many women may be considering pregnancy following weight loss surgery. Before making major family planning decisions, it is important to know the associated health dangers with this, as well as whether it is the appropriate step for you to take and when you can take it. There are several guidelines available to help you decide when and if you should consider pregnancy following weight loss surgery.
The first 18 months following your surgery are not an ideal time for you to become pregnant. Your body is still enduring major physical transformations. You will be trying to know your optimal nutritional balance and your food intake is constantly changing. Your hormones will be imbalanced because of rapid changes happening in your body. This is why it is not optimal to become pregnant within the first 18 months post weight loss surgery.
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Recently, doctors have determined that fertility is closely associated with body weight. As you start to lose weight, you will have greater success becoming pregnant. Weight loss will also lead to balanced and increased hormone levels.
Your body, however, is also recovering from two different sources of stress: stress from being overweight and the stress from undergoing surgery. Because of this, it may be wise to protect against the potentially higher fertility rates in your body. Being aware of this and taking appropriate steps can help avoid becoming pregnant during this adjustment period.
After eighteen months have passed, your new body should be more firm and able to handle other changes. At this point, you may consider becoming pregnant. If you do become pregnant prior to this point, your child may have problems in getting proper nutrients from your body and serious complications can arise before or during the birth. After this waiting period, your body will be better able to control the foods that you are providing on a consistent basis. Another consideration with weight loss surgery concerns the use of the gastric band. This band will never be taken away from your body.
If you are considering pregnancy and have just undergone gastric band surgery, the band will need to be loosened during the pregnancy. This will allow for the movement of proper nutrients throughout your entire body and will allow for you to be able to gain necessary pregnancy weight. You may also wish to consider weight gain during the pregnancy. After having a child, it is extremely challenging to loose the needed weight. Making a weight-loss plan following the birth of your child, including maintaining a regular diet and exercise schedule will help you to regulate your weight during and after the pregnancy.
If you have had a weight loss surgery and is considering pregnancy, there are a few factors that are necessary to evaluate. This will help you determine your exact requirements, as well as what is and is not safe following your surgery. This will help you be able to nurture your family without health complications.
Tagged with: pregnant • weight loss surgery
Filed under: Pregnancy