Pregnancy: Before & After Weight Loss Surgery

In this post, I reveal that I had a baby girl within the first year of having RNY surgery.

I did exactly what WLS patients are told not to do – get pregnant within the first year.  Having a baby post WLS is completely fine.  In fact, some women have the surgery to lose weight (of course) and (hopefully) increase their chances of getting pregnant.

A girl I work with, had to sign a paper at her doctor’s office, saying she wouldn’t get pregnant within the first 18 months.  Really?!?

Honestly, it wasn’t planned, but it happens.  There are thousands of teenage mothers that will tell you the same thing – it happens.

However, my situation was different.  I had major surgery that effects how I eat, what I eat, how much I eat and how it is absorbed during digestion.  I was scared to death!

After the shock started to settle, I called my nutritionist.  I knew I was not consuming enough calories for me, and certainly not enough to sustain a pregnancy.  She helped me determine the number of calories, protein, fat and carbs that I should consume each day.  At first, it was very difficult to reach those goals. 

So now, I have 2 children – one before WLS and one after WLS.  Each pregnancy is different, but WLS made a major difference.

Before WLS

·         I gained 35 pounds

·         Lost 20 pounds immediately after delivery, then gained it all back (plus some)

·         Retained LOTS of fluid – face, fingers, feet, toes, etc were very swollen

·         High blood pressure towards the end of pregnancy

·         Worked ½ days at the end of pregnancy because of bp and swelling

·         Spent a week in the hospital before delivery because of bp and swelling

·         Delivered a healthy boy at 37 weeks (6 lbs 10 oz / 20” long)

·         Continued to have high bp post delivery

After WLS

·         I gained 20 pounds

·         Lost 20 pounds immediately after delivery, then lost another 13 pounds

·         No swelling or bp issues… at all

·         Failed the glucose tolerance test (not surprising since WLS changes how sugar is digested)

·         Tracked sugar levels for 8 weeks, but never had high readings

·         Worked full days up to the day before delivery

·         Normal hospital stay for me and baby

·         Delivered a healthy baby girl at 39 weeks (6 lbs 12 oz / 19.5” long)

·         No issues post delivery

With my first pregnancy, I never felt bad (even though I had health issues), but I didn’t feel great.  My starting weight was considered “overweight” for my height.  I gained more that what was necessary.  The common misconception is that the mother is “eating for 2.”  Only a slight increase in calories is necessary in each trimester.  By the third trimester, her calorie intake is at its highest, but still not enough for 2 people.

With my second pregnancy, I felt great.  Aside from the typical tiredness and morning sickness for 18 weeks, I felt really good.  After losing 70 pounds, it was scary to watch the scale creep up.  I knew it was necessary, but still scary.  I did not want all of my hard work and sacrifice to go unnoticed on the scale.  In any case, my weight the day of delivery was still 20 pounds less than my starting weight with baby #1.  I also carried baby # 2, 2 weeks longer, she weighed 2 oz more and ½ shorter.  The irony of those numbers is not lost on me.

The last time the scale stopped on my current weight, I was a sophomore in college…

Having a baby post WLS is possible and completely healthy. 

Having a baby so soon after WLS not recommended (but it happens).