Obesity is a rising epidemic and significantly affects a woman’s ability to conceive by causing hormonal imbalances and problems with ovulation.
Gastric sleeve surgery, and other bariatric surgeries, can produce positive changes in fertility. Scientific Reports[1] have found that women with fertility problems linked to obesity who have bariatric surgery can start ovulating regularly for the first time in years.
Gastric sleeve is just one of the bariatric surgery options for overweight women looking to start a family. One advantage of gastric sleeve over other surgical options is that you can continue to absorb nutrients normally, so your risk of vitamin deficiency is much less than with a gastric bypass.
After surgery, your body goes through potentially stressful changes and significant nutritional upheaval, which can pose complications for a growing baby. To protect women and their babies, the recommended time period for a woman to wait to try for a baby is 18 months after surgery. A pregnancy that occurs too soon after weight loss surgery can have severe consequences for both the mother and the baby.
Once your weight stabilises, it is perfectly safe to get pregnant after gastric sleeve surgery, but you need to be aware of the changes your body has undergone.
Healthy nutrition is one of the keys to ensure a healthy growing baby. Since gastric sleeve surgery has decreased the amount of food that you consume, it is vital that the food you are eating is healthy and nutrient rich.
Our experienced Dietician can work with you to provide the right dietary advice and practical ideas for nourishing your body with food good for you and your baby.
If you are wanting to start a family or have been unsuccessful, perhaps gastric sleeve surgery can get you back on the path of starting family. In these circumstances we strongly recommend a session with our specialist team who can assist and talk you through the options. Call Life Weight Loss on 1300 669 259 and speak to a trusted consultant.
