Pregnancy and bariatric surgery

14 September 21

Many women who opt for a surgical weight-loss procedure, do so because they would like to start a family. Chronic weight problems can have a detrimental effect on fertility, whilst bariatric surgery is known to dramatically increase the chances of conceiving. Not only that; surgery reduced the risks of pregnancy-associated complications for both mother and child and improves long-term health prospects for both

Most experts agree that pregnancy is better delayed until after weight-loss has stabilised following surgery. A recent large study from the Netherlands, in which scientists analysed the results from 51 studies across the world, has shed more light on this. The main findings are:

Overall, bariatric surgery has a positive impact on fertility; following surgery obese women had a much higher chance of becoming pregnant.
Most women who could not conceive spontaneously prior to surgery, did so afterwards.
There was no association between surgery and miscarriage or risk of congenital malformations.

However, the researchers advise women to delay pregnancy until after their weight-loss has stabilised following surgery. This is because adequate nutrition is critical in the early months of pregnancy and all bariatric surgical procedures – especially gastric bypass – have the potential to create deficiencies of both fat- and water-soluble vitamins and minerals.

Appropriate dietary supplementation and measurement of key nutrients to ensure that blood levels are stable, is essential prior to discontinuing post-operative contraception.

Dr David Ashton MD PhD

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