Nurse's Corner: Avoiding Pregnancy After Weight Loss Surgery
As many of you know, we strongly advise avoiding pregnancy for at least two years after gastric bypass surgery. There are several reasons why we recommend this.
First and foremost is the fact that your body is making a number of major metabolic changes during that time and your body needs time to adjust. Chances are you may not even be aware of the changes. However, as an example, when you have labs done three months after surgery, many of you have already seen a dramatic improvement in your lab values. Not to mention your dramatic weight loss!
For weight loss surgery to be successful, it takes dedication, determination, motivation, good old-fashioned hard work and a lot of sweat! Now is the time to focus on YOUR health.
When a "non-bariatric" woman gets pregnant, her nutritional requirements are increased, and she needs to gain weight to support a healthy pregnancy. This is no different for a bariatric patient. However, the bariatric patient has obvious nutritional restrictions, and it can be more difficult for her to gain weight. It is critical that her nutrition is closely monitored for the sake of the developing baby and her own health. If she does not get proper nutrition, the baby will "take" what he / she needs from the mom, such as iron and calcium and other important nutrients.
There are additional concerns as well, such as vitamin and mineral deficiencies. All of which pose serious risk to the mother and baby.
There are so many different types of birth control that it would be impossible to explain each type in this article. The only 100% proven effective birth control method is obviously abstinence.
If you have a need to discuss birth control, please call your private physician, your gynecologist or me and we can talk privately. There are some methods such as "the Pill" and "the Patch" that may not be effective after gastric bypass surgery. The "shot" or the Depo-Provera injection could be a suitable option. However, a visit to the gynecologist would be needed first.
We are here to help you to be as successful as possible in your quest for a healthier life. Please don't hesitate to call if you have questions about anything!
