Pregnancy after Bariatric Surgery

While bariatric surgery is becoming a more common procedure for the morbidly obese, especially among women, the risks involved are still as serious as ever. The long-term effects of the surgery can last for many years, sometimes until the end of one's life. Women who undergo bariatric surgery may find themselves more likely to become pregnant because of their newly found appeal from the opposite sex. A bariatric surgeon, Dr. Elliot Goodman, states, "When patients lose a lot of weight, after the operation, they suddenly find that it's much more easy to get pregnant, and that can cause problems."

Tracy Jetter was a large woman for her size. At 4'11", at one point in her life she weighed just under 300 pounds. She lived in a hospital for asthma and had two minor heart attacks. She came to the realization than an extreme measure was needed. After a successful surgery she became pregnant, for which many post-surgery women are not prepared.

The significance of bariatric surgery on pregnacy is two-fold. On one hand, the patients often have trouble absorbing calories because of their shortened digestive tract. In addition to that, the new shape of their intestinal tract leaves empty space where there was none before. Due to the cuts, staples, and re-routes of the inner organs, a baby may grow awkwardly in the woman's body. Because of the malnutrition issue, Tracy Jetter suffered a miscarriage because she admitted to not taking the neccessary vitamins and minerals. For all bariatric patients, absorbing enough vitamins and minerals is neccesary to survive, but doubly so during a pregnacy.

When Tracy got pregnant again nine months after the misscarriage, she took special care to digest the right amount of nutrients. Unfortunately, she suffered the other complication of bariatric surgery during pregnacy. The baby's growth caused her intestines to fold and contort on themselves. "This twisting can be so tight that the bowel can obstruct or the blood supply can be cut off so that the bowel becomes gangernous," says Dr. Goodman.

Sadly for Terry, she was able to survive with her intestines back to normal, but without her baby. The loss can be traumitizing for any woman, so it should be noted that any woman considering bariatric surgery will have to deal with additional risks during pregnancy. It is oftern a overlooked subject during discussion of bariatric surgery, but the effect is long-term and possibly fatal for the woman and especially the baby. Doctors recommend birth control for two years after bariatric surgery, but the risk can last a lifetime.