Pregnancy Timing W/ Lapband

[KCGFNP 5]

My surgeon tells all his PTs to wait 18 mo before conception? Are there dangers if you become pg sooner? Will it ruin the band? My fertility has been weird since the band. Just curious! I'm 5 mo out!

[NewStart95987 35]

No dangers but a lot of surgeons follow and report results and after that time and weight loss they consider you a success. I got pregnant almost right after surgery and I'm now 35-36 weeks. I do have complications but not anything related to the band. Sad but true. Though I understand going through all the motions and having to wait for continued success. I was a bit frustrated as well BUT they also don't tell you how the band can effect your hormones. It's a catch 22 which is why some surgeons are so strict about not getting pregnant! They want to help make sure you are taking precautions. I went from a period or two a year to fertile mertile after my band. My specialist (I'm high risk due to blood clots) laughed and told me its VERY common to become very fertile after banding. GI figure! Best of luck!

[mandagay 93]

I would imagine also just from a practical side that they want us to wait because we are supposed to learn how to eat etc. with the band and if we get pregnant right away then we kind of set that aside and focus on the pregnancy (which we should) then. After the baby it might be hard to get into the band groove. Just a thought but congrats to all u mother to be's out there. I want to get pregnant as soon as I drop a bunch more weight!

[Mjv013 67]

My Dr suggested waiting a year after to lose weight and just be healthier. I think its just a good idea to be your healthiest before getting pregnant but that is my opinion. I waited 14 months and I was off any and all medications I was on, my blood pressure was down and my blood sugar was normal. If I would have gotten pregnant earlier, Im sure I would have been high risk. As of now I have no problems and have only gained 6 lbs in 22 weeks.

[Tristessa 11]

According to What to Expect When You're Expecting the reasoning behind waiting 12-18 months post-op is that those months are when you lose the most weight the quickest; you see the most drastic weight loss during that time and then have a stabilizing period and it being best to weight until your weight is stable until you conceive.

I can't imagine with the band it being dangerous or even all that worrisome if you conceive prior to that though, with the ability to fill/defill as needed, so long as you seek care from your family physician, OB and lapband surgeon. I'll be working with all three throughout my pregnancy. It's still quite early for me (5 weeks) but I'm already feeling the morning sickness.