VSG and Pregancy?

[Jems1_84 0]

Hi, I'm looking into vsg as my wls tool, but I'm concerned about whether or not its feasable as i do want to have children... I've researched and investigated and also discussed with my doctor but no one can give me a straight answer.... can anyone shread some light on this matter ... thanks

[MacMadame 81]

Of course you can have kids. People who have WLS do it all the time. This includes people who had surgery types that include malabsorption like the RnY and DS.

First of all, losing weight should make you more fertile and so make it easier to get pregnant. Then, being pregnant at a smaller size is a lot healthier than being pregnant at a larger size.

As for the extra calories you will need, it's only something like an extra 200 a day. You can easily get that just by drinking another Protein shake, if you can't get it from food. Though you should be able to get it from food.

By 1 year out, most sleevesters can eat anywhere from 1000 to 1500 calories easily and some of the guys and athletic types end up around 2000. It would be much harder if you accidentally got pregnant in the first 6 months when your sleeve is much smaller.

The way that people get in trouble when they get pregnant after having WLS is in the following areas:

1) Gaining too much weight and then not being able to get it all off after the baby. Of course, this happens to people without WLS too.

2) Not taking all your Vitamins religiously so that you suffer some sort of obscure Vitamin deficiency that causes problems for you post-pregnancy. Someone without WLS should be taking Vitamins too but it's not nearly as vital as it is for us. Again, this tends to be a much bigger issue for people who had RnY or DS because of the malabsorption. But we should all be aware.

3) Sometimes bandsters find they can't get back their sweet spot after a pregnancy. Or morning sickness causes their bands to slip from all the vomting. This isn't applicable to us though (and I don't think it's the norm for a bandster either, but it does happen).

[Jems1_84 0]

Thanks.... that helps, im just so worried that i may stretch the sleeve and not be able to lose the excess weight that i may gain during the pregnancy.... I spose its a lot of what if's ..... Thank you again.

[MacMadame 81]

If the sleeve is made small enough (around 40-60 cc) then it is extremely hard to stretch out. The stretchy part is gone, basically. The tissues do relax some (there is some scientific name for this, but I can't remember it).

But some surgeons are still making them about 2x that size and those people do have more issues with weight regain, whether pregnancy enters the picture or not. So be sure to check on that.

[Jems1_84 0]

Thanks for the info.... i keep getting the whole "the bands better because it's reverisable" and the whole "The Sleeve is great there's no inadament object in your body" ... and its extremely confusing, and i dont want to make the wrong decision.... So your information has helped. Thank you again

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Thanks for the info.... i keep getting the whole "the bands better because it's reverisable" and the whole "The Sleeve is great there's no inadament object in your body" ... and its extremely confusing, and i dont want to make the wrong decision.... So your information has helped. Thank you again

What's so great about reversible? Which diet have you been on that after you were done losing weight you wanted to reverse it and regain? ;o) See what I mean?

I want permanent, I never want to lose 132# again!

The sleeve provides faster and better weight loss, MUCH fewer long term complications compared to banding, and it's simply easier. I've had both, I know.

According to Inamed at the end of 5 years people typically lose 55-60% of their excess weight. With a sleeve at the end of 5 years it's about an 80% loss of excess weight.

[Jems1_84 0]

Good point ... I think my main concern is the fact that i may be able to stretch the tube.... my problem with food is that i get full quickly but I'm still so hungry and will just keeping eating ... i can't eat alot on one thing but can eat small amouts of alot of things ... that's why the sleeve appeals to me, the fact that it takes away physical hunger..... I just need to deal with the head hunger, which is going to be a task and a half ...

[MacMadame 81]

That's why it appealed to me too. It directly addressed my issue. So I had more confidence that it would work for me.

[Jems1_84 0]

Well, my Super came through yesterday and I've got an apt with my doctor tomorrow to get everything finalised so I'll be setting the date for my sleeve cant wait, excited and to tell you the truth a little scared. Any advice and clue ins on what to expect going into the surgery and the feeling post op....???

[MacMadame 81]

I can hardly remember... isn't that odd? I kind of knew it would happen though, so I posted everything in my blog. I have a whole post about my surgery and time in the hospital -- I had some adventures so I'm not sure my experience would be typical.