Having bariatric surgery won’t prevent you from having children in the future and losing your excess weight could actually help to improve your fertility. However, it is important to talk to your doctor at the clinic in London if you are thinking about getting pregnant so that you can get personalised advice.

Contraception After Bariatric Surgery

It is important to use contraception after your weight loss surgery if you are sexually active so that you can protect your body while it is recovering.

• Make sure that you are using the right form of contraception after your bariatric surgery in London. Some options such as the contraceptive pill and injection aren’t suitable for women who have undergone weight loss procedures.
• Don’t try to get pregnant for at least 12-18 months after the operation as this is when you will be losing weight most rapidly. You and your baby might be at risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies if you become pregnant during this period.

Pregnancy After Weight Loss Surgery

If you decide that you want to have a baby once you have recovered from the bariatric surgery and reached your weight loss goals, then it is a good idea to:

• Talk to your obesity specialist in London first so that you can get personalised advice. The doctor can check that you are fit and healthy, look for any signs of nutritional deficiencies, and provide advice on your diet and nutritional supplements.
• Take extra care about your diet in pregnancy so that you don’t miss out on essential nutrients or put on too much weight. Your weight will change during and after pregnancy, but you can manage this in a healthy way.
• Make sure that the midwife or doctor providing your antenatal care is aware of your medical history, including the bariatric surgery and weight loss so that they can provide the best advice. It is especially important to mention issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure that could be affected by the pregnancy.

Many women have children after undergoing a gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy or gastric band surgery. As long as you give your body time to recover after the operation and maintain a healthy diet during pregnancy, the bariatric surgery shouldn’t cause any problems.