Sleeve before or after pregnancy?

[carlyq 0]

This is my first post, but my most nagging question in regards to whether I should get the sleeve or not. I am currently 34 years old, 214 pounds, with no children yet. I am in the process of getting my sleeve date set (I know it will be soon) but I'm scared to do it before pregnancy. Some of my concerns include waiting another year+ to try, gaining the weight back, complications etc. My concern for not getting the sleeve first is gaining a lot more weight on my already overweight body, difficulty working, etc. As far as I know I don't have fertility issues but I'm sure the extra weight is not going to help. My debate is lose 30 pounds through diet/exercise first or get the sleeve? Any opinions or advice for me?

[carlyq 0]

BTW my doctor said wait one year post surgery and didn't seem too concerned otherwise. I'm still so confused though!

[DanaMomto3 145]

I think you need to figure that out for yourself. I am 5'11, I weighed 285 when I got pregnant with my twins and then I weighed 272 when I got pregnant with my youngest. I had full term, healthy and easy pregnancies ( at ages 33 and 34). I am betting doing it before will be an easier recovery than chasing after kids, but you have to follow your gut.

[Mayra 10]

I was just sleeved last week at 217(5'4). I'm 31 with no kids.

For me its about being in the best physical shape to even be able to carry a baby. Pregnancy is risky...why add more risk to the baby if you yourself are not in the best shape.

But honestly...i don't think it would be a problem. If you were getting the gastric bypass....then I could see your concern.

[gettinMeBack 380]

I wud get the sleeve done now and lose the weight now. After the baby it will be easier for you to lose the excess weight with a sleeve than without one. Then even better, the sleeve will prevent u from over eating a bunch of junk which majority of pregnancies cause us to do and gaining more weight than we really shudve from just the baby. So I say there are so many plus' from getting the sleeve done before as a oppose to afterwards.

[SunnyCox 245]

I am also 31, sleeved at 279 (5'1") and have no children. I do not know if I have fertility issues as I've never tried to have a baby. I was ok with waiting a minimum of 1 year before getting pregnant. I also wanted to be as healthy as possible for a pregnancy.

Not as important as being healhty....BUT... I want to be one of those cute pregnant women with a little bump instead of someone where everyone is afraid of asking if you are pregnant because of the weight.

[mezanne1401 190]

I am 30 (31 next month) and I was 327 at 5'8". I have been married 12 years and the question everyone has asked (from my grandparents and in-laws mainly) is when are you going to have a baby. I was in constant pain with my back and knees that I knew I could not carry an extra 30 lbs with a pregnancy. I didn't want to be the mom on the bench at my kid's whatever game and be embarrassed of their mother. I didn't want to be the mom that had the kid that didn't want me to drop them off for school and they don't want to be seen getting out of my car. I didn't want to be the mom that couldn't pick up the baby out of the crib because of my back/weight. I didn't want to be the mom that had to be buried by her young child because I died of weight related health problems. I want to be the fun mom, a healthy mom and I want to see my baby get married and have their own babies. I opted for surgery first even though my husband has wanted a baby for years now. I can be selfish right now because I'm not a mom. One year to wait for a baby is nothing compared to the extra years I'm giving myself by losing weight.

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

If you are fertile & plan on conceiving in the next 2years I'd put the sleeve on hold. If you can wait 2 years, or have fertility issues get the sleeve ASAP.

[partofme! 36]

I was at the doctors today talking about JUST this topic... There are some definite pors and cons to this.

Pros:

• higher chance of fertility at a lower weight
  
• healthier pregnancy, lower risk of pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, etc
  
• Less chance of depression and weight gain issues/self-esteem etc-it is tough enough being pregnant and carrying extra weight, imagine carrying another 30-50 pounds and how you will feel?
  
• You can easily drop 30 pounds to get in a healthier weight range INSTEAD of the sleeve by joining a bootcamp/doing Jillian Michaels and following a strict diet regimen. You will have to follow a strict diet after the sleeve anyway, so it is NOT easier...you could probably do this in about 3-4 months. In reality, you will most likely lose 30-40 pounds in the same 3 months, only your TTC has to be pushed back
  

CONS:

• You MUST wait 12-18 months as if you are in rapid weight loss phase, you can and will risk your health and the baby's health as you cannot take in enough calories a day and you are burning. Also, there could be issues with leaks, etc.
  
• You are at a high risk to gain the weight lost back and it would have been a waste of your time and money
  
• You do not know if you can concieve on your own and if you wait another 1-1.5 years to find out, you are then 32,33...you need to try for at least 6 months or a year Ithink (not sure) to go to a specialist, which puts you at 33-34...to have your FIRST baby.
  

Having babies are tough on your body, and weight gain happens! My doctor said that it is riskier to have a baby overweight than to have the sleeve and get pregnant a year later> Of course, I have three little ones already and want to have my fourth...in a year

If I were in your shoes, I would probably just do the diet and exercize thing, and try to make that work. Fitness is so important while you are pregnant anyway, so you are giving your body a head start, without the 6-8 week down time you will have if you get sleeved.

Then, after the baby making is complete, go get your sleeve if you still need it, or maybe a mommy makeover....they offer those in Mexico for about 7K and will do up to 5 areas of your body....wooot!!

Good luck with whatever you decide, it is such a personal decision and I am sending lots of baby dust your way!!!

[keya34 46]

Hi am 34 my baby girl just turned 7 months Tuesday my sleeve date is January 8th. I wanted the sleeve before also but in the process of trying to loose weight I became prego. Now I am a fertile myrtle I was 305 I lost down to 292 9mths later I was 324 had her down to 298. All to say if u watch what u eat u wont pick up that much and I was on bed rest due to my back. But if u can get it now do it cause on the other side it is hard with a little one so glad for family. Good luck with ur decision

[puppyphat 397]

I know this sounds very morbid and I'm playing devil's advocate here, but if you have a baby in the next year, then when the baby is less than a year old, would you want to risk having what is essentially a very risky, elective surgery? How old would your baby have to be before you could contemplate possibly side effects keeping you in hospital for 3 months or more? How big do you want the age gap to be between children? If your baby is 1 year old when you have the surgery, you wait a year to 18 months to lose the weight, then have another one, that is going to be about 3 years difference. If you do have complications, god forbid, could you survive financially without your income, plus having to hire someone else to look after your baby and your house while you can't?

If you have surgery first, you can be selfish and focus only on you. Once you have children, your whole world changes and you will never again be your own number one priority. You can lose the weight, then start a family, not put on much weight in the pregnancy, bounce back to your pre baby weight, fall pregnant again (if that's what you wish), chase your toddler around and be a fit, healthy young mummy.

It is your choice and only you can decide, but as a mother, I can tell you that it is so much harder being fat, and the decision to have something as dramatic as 85 percent of your stomach removed is so much harder to make.

Good luck.

[sexypeaches33 6]

Hello, I am 35 and started trying to get pregnant 1 1/2 year ago, before surgery. I started off weighing 326 lbs. I had my VSG on 4/29/2012. I am now 210lbs 8 months later and just found out today I am pregnant. Prior to starting, my dr have me the go ahead. All my labs are great and I feel healthy. I say you have you surgery and get healthy first because you risk yourself and babies life. Good luck

[SerendipityHappens 1,594]

You are at the age when your fertility will begin to decline. If you feel comfortable waiting the year, then do the sleeve first and have your baby when you are at a healthy weight. It's perfectly safe to get pregnant a year after being sleeved. If you think your biological clock is ticking loudly and don't want to wait a full year before you even begin trying, then lose 30 pounds quickly on your own, have a baby and THEN do the sleeve. See your gyno for advice.

[ShellyBean 38]

I know this sounds very morbid and I'm playing devil's advocate here' date=' but if you have a baby in the next year, then when the baby is less than a year old, would you want to risk having what is essentially a very risky, elective surgery? How old would your baby have to be before you could contemplate possibly side effects keeping you in hospital for 3 months or more? How big do you want the age gap to be between children? If your baby is 1 year old when you have the surgery, you wait a year to 18 months to lose the weight, then have another one, that is going to be about 3 years difference. If you do have complications, god forbid, could you survive financially without your income, plus having to hire someone else to look after your baby and your house while you can't?

If you have surgery first, you can be selfish and focus only on you. Once you have children, your whole world changes and you will never again be your own number one priority. You can lose the weight, then start a family, not put on much weight in the pregnancy, bounce back to your pre baby weight, fall pregnant again (if that's what you wish), chase your toddler around and be a fit, healthy young mummy.

It is your choice and only you can decide, but as a mother, I can tell you that it is so much harder being fat, and the decision to have something as dramantic as 85 percent of your stomach removed is so much harder to make.

Good luck.[/quote']

I am 35 and my age is becoming a scary factor, so the first concern and questions to my dr was about pregnancy. He told me that I could get the green light in 9-10 months, and that it would be healthier to carry while I was at an ideal weight. I am 5'3 and 238lbs. Time will depend on how much you have to lose so that time frame is not standard for everyone.

I think the above logic is right on. If you have. Comorbid conditions I think that it strengthens the casento do it before pregnancy.

Whatever way YOU choose and whatever works out best for your life and situation, I wish you the best

[linda305 173]

Hello' date=' I am 35 and started trying to get pregnant 1 1/2 year ago, before surgery. I started off weighing 326 lbs. I had my VSG on 4/29/2012. I am now 210lbs 8 months later and just found out today I am pregnant. Prior to starting, my dr have me the go ahead. All my labs are great and I feel healthy. I say you have you surgery and get healthy first because you risk yourself and babies life. Good luck[/quote']

Hi, was it hard for you to get pregnant before the surgery?