How soon can I become pregnant after surgery?

TriStar Centennial Center for Weight Management / / Blog / July 15, 2017

This is a question that is frequently asked by female bariatric patients in the child bearing years. A reason for this is many severely obese females are infertile and may not be able to ovulate. These patients may desire children and a family but become frustrated by their inability to become pregnant. For some patients the number one reason for having bariatric surgery is to be able to have children.

We know that with significant weight loss following bariatric surgery, many females will resume ovulation and a normal menstrual cycle. Thus, they will be able to become pregnant. We know that pregnancy can be safe following any of the present bariatric surgical procedures. It is important however, to maintain adequate nutrition during pregnancy. We generally recommend that patients consult with their bariatric dietitian as well as their obstetrician during pregnancy for good nutritional health.

That brings us to the optimum timing of pregnancy following bariatric surgery. It is important for patients to understand they are undergoing a major surgical procedure and major lifestyle changes so they can lose their excess weight and improve their general health. So it is important patients get the maximum benefit of their bariatric surgical procedure.

I generally recommend that patients wait until 12-18 months after their bariatric surgery prior to becoming pregnant. This amount of time will generally allow patients to achieve maximum weight loss and be in the maintenance phase. It will also generally allow time for significant improvement and sometimes resolution of their obesity related health conditions.

If a patient does happen to become pregnant earlier than 12-18 months following surgery, although this is not an optimum situation, they can still have a safe pregnancy and a healthy child. They can also achieve adequate weight loss; however, they may need to work a little harder following delivery. Regardless, when a post bariatric surgery patient does become pregnant, they need to follow up closely with their bariatric surgeon, dietitian, and obstetrician.

Written by David Dyer, MD