- With Mayo Clinic obstetrician and medical editor-in-chief
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
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Roger W. Harms, M.D.
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
"Nothing helps people stay healthy more than the power of real knowledge about health." — Dr. Roger Harms
As medical director of content, Dr. Roger Harms is excited about the potential for Mayo Clinic's health information site to help educate people about their health and provide them the tools and information to live healthier lives.
The Auburn, Neb., native has been with Mayo Clinic since 1981 and is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Harms is a practicing physician and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, and his specialty areas include office gynecology, high-risk obstetrics and obstetrical ultrasound.
From 2002 to 2007, Dr. Harms was director for education at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dr. Harms was the 1988 Mayo Medical School Teacher of the Year and served as associate dean for student affairs and academic affairs. He is the co-author of the "Mayo Clinic Model of Education." In 2008, Dr. Harms was presented the Distinguished Educator Award, Mayo Clinic, Rochester.
Dr. Harms is vice chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and medical editor of the Pregnancy section on this website. In addition, Dr. Harms is editor-in-chief of the "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" book, a month-by-month guide to everything a woman needs to know about having a baby.
"My medical education experience has grown out of a love of teaching, and that is what this site is about," Dr. Harms says. "If any visitor to this site makes a more informed and thus more comfortable decision about his or her health because of the information we provide, we are successful."
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Question
Pregnancy after gastric bypass: Is it safe?
Is pregnancy after gastric bypass surgery safe? I'm worried that my baby won't get enough nutrients since I won't be able to eat as much.
Answer
from Roger W. Harms, M.D.
It's possible to have a safe and healthy pregnancy after gastric bypass surgery. In fact, pregnancy after weight-loss surgery may be safer for both mother and baby than pregnancy complicated by obesity.
Although more research is needed, recent studies suggest that weight-loss surgery can protect obese women and their babies from obesity-related problems during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and preeclampsia. The caveat is timing. It's best to avoid pregnancy after weight-loss surgery until your weight stabilizes — typically at least 12 months after surgery. Rapid or persistent weight loss may deprive a growing baby of important nutrients.
If you've had weight-loss surgery and are considering pregnancy, consult your health care provider for preconception planning. Depending on the type of weight-loss surgery and your specific nutritional needs, your health care provider may recommend certain nutritional supplements — such as folic acid, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, iron and calcium — in addition to a daily prenatal vitamin before and during pregnancy. Consider consulting a registered dietitian as well for advice on nutrition and weight gain during pregnancy.
- Maggard MA, et al. Pregnancy and fertility following bariatric surgery: A systematic review. JAMA. 2008;300:2286.
- Abodeely A, et al. Pregnancy outcomes after bariatric surgery: Maternal, fetal, and infant implications. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases. 2008;4:464.
- Karmon A, et al. Pregnancy after bariatric surgery: A comprehensive review. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2008;277:381.
- Guelinckx I, et al. Reproductive outcome after bariatric surgery: A critical review. Human Reproduction Update. 2009;15:189.
- Sheiner E, et al. Pregnancy outcome in patients following different types of bariatric surgeries. Obesity Surgery. 2009;19:1286.
- ACOG practice bulletin 105: Bariatric surgery and pregnancy. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2009;113:1405.
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