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Pregnancy After Weight-Loss (Bariatric) Surgery

Table of Contents


Overview

What is weight-loss (bariatric) surgery?

Bariatric surgery is surgery to help people lose weight and improve health problems related to weight. It may also be called metabolic surgery. This type of surgery is used for people who have obesity. Weight-loss surgery may be an option for people who have not been able to lose weight or improve weight-related health problems with diet, exercise, and medicines.

There are different types of bariatric surgery. They make the stomach smaller. Some types of surgery also change the connection between your stomach and intestines.

After surgery, you'll need to make new, lifelong changes in how you eat and drink. You'll have the support of your health care team to make these changes. These changes will help you reach your goals and stay at a weight that is healthy for you.

How can the surgery affect pregnancy?

Weight-loss surgery helps people lose a lot of weight quickly. If you get pregnant too soon after surgery, your body may not have enough nutrients to support a healthy pregnancy. Experts suggest waiting for 1 to 2 years after weight-loss surgery to get pregnant.1

Weight-loss surgery before pregnancy:

After having weight-loss surgery, your prenatal care will mostly be the same as for other pregnancies. But there are a few differences.

What can you do to have a healthy pregnancy?

Making healthy choices can help you have a healthy pregnancy after weight-loss surgery. Here are some important things you can do.

It may be hard to think about gaining weight for pregnancy after having surgery to lose weight. Talk to your doctor if you're concerned about this.


References

Citations

  1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2009, reaffirmed 2021). Bariatric surgery and pregnancy. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 105. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 113(6): 1405–13. Accessed March 13, 2023
  2. Kwong W, et al. (2018). Maternal and neonatal outcomes after bariatric surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis: Do the benefits outweigh the risks? American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 218(6): 573. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2018.02.003. Accessed February 9, 2023.

Credits for Pregnancy After Weight-Loss (Bariatric) Surgery

Current as of: May 13, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
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