
Pregnancy after Weight Loss Surgery
Bariatric surgery is a safe way to lose weight. However, bodies undergo significant changes because of the procedures. In addition, pregnancy after surgery puts a great deal of strain on a woman’s body. So, it is natural to have questions when it comes to pregnancy after weight loss surgery. However, there is no need to worry. Pregnancy after bariatrics protects the growing fetus and the mother from the issues related to obesity. So, if you have undergone bariatric surgery and are planning to get pregnant, then here is how you can ensure a safer pregnancy.
Consult Your Bariatric Surgeon
If you have undergone a weight loss surgery and are contemplating getting pregnant, then the first thing you should do is consult with your bariatric surgeon. They should know that your body is going to undergo a drastic change in the next few months. They can change your daily diet plans and prescribe bariatric prenatal vitamins and help you manage your nutrition effectively.
Most weight loss surgeons will ask you to wait for at least 18 months before considering pregnancy.
Getting pregnant after a weight loss surgery is not a problem. However, considering that the body has undergone drastic weight loss, it is not ideal to subject it to such extreme stresses repeatedly. It is recommended to wait for at least 18 months to prevent any possibility of the baby or the mother suffering from malnutrition. Once you reach a healthy and stable weight, it is easier to carry a child.
Inform Your OB/Gyn
Your OB/Gyn should know that you have undergone bariatric surgery. Weight loss surgery has only become popular in the past few years. So, your OB/Gyn is not always prepared or educated on how to treat women who have had bariatric surgery.
If you inform your physician in advance about your typical condition, it will give them time to research more on the subject. They will also be able to prescribe medicines accordingly.
Take Control of the Mind
Getting pregnant after a gastric bypass or sleeve surgery can have a huge emotional impact. You must deal with the idea that your stomach will grow and the scars from your surgery may become more visible because of it. You may also start to see the scale go back up. This can elicit different reactions from different women. Some may subject themselves to unnecessarily restrictive diets to maintain their figures, while some others may start eating in excess because they are going to grow in any case. Expectant mothers should make decisions based on what’s ideal for the baby.
If you still feel that you are not able to control your moods and are indulging in extreme behavior, you can get in touch with a psychologist to ease your pregnancy journey.
Final Thoughts
Pregnancy after weight loss surgery is more or less similar to a normal pregnancy. Losing weight was not an easy battle for you, but you won it anyway. While pregnancy will bring some of that weight back, you can always lose it again once the baby is here. Remember that the weight loss surgery made it possible for you to offer your child a healthier body to grow in. All you have to do is keep your physicians informed, eat well, and keep a level head.
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