Pregnancy after gastric bypass: Is it safe?

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  • With Mayo Clinic obstetrician and medical editor-in-chief

    Roger W. Harms, M.D.

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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.

References
  1. Maggard MA, et al. Pregnancy and fertility following bariatric surgery: A systematic review. JAMA. 2008;300:2286.
  2. Abodeely A, et al. Pregnancy outcomes after bariatric surgery: Maternal, fetal, and infant implications. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases. 2008;4:464.
  3. Karmon A, et al. Pregnancy after bariatric surgery: A comprehensive review. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2008;277:381.
  4. Guelinckx I, et al. Reproductive outcome after bariatric surgery: A critical review. Human Reproduction Update. 2009;15:189.
  5. Sheiner E, et al. Pregnancy outcome in patients following different types of bariatric surgeries. Obesity Surgery. 2009;19:1286.
  6. ACOG practice bulletin 105: Bariatric surgery and pregnancy. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2009;113:1405.
AN01828 April 10, 2010

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