Background: Women who suffer from morbid obesity are often infertile. If these women are able to become pregnant, they are
considered high risk because of the hypertension, diabetes and other associated risk factors. Following the pregnancy is difficult
due to limitations of the physical examinations. More costly ultrasound examinations are needed at a higher frequency. Bariatric
surgery reduces the woman's weight and the incidence of obesity related co-morbidities. The number of pregnancies and rate
of complications during those pregnancies in our post-bariatirc surgical patients were evaluated. Method: Our group has been
doing bariatric surgery since the early 1980s. We have over 2000 active patients on our current newsletter mailing list. The
patients also have a series of networks through support groups. The patients are informed to contact us when they become pregnant
so we may assist the obstetrician with their care. Through these various means, we have been able to identify 41 women in
our patient population who have become pregnant. Using personal interview, questionnaire, and review of perinatal records,
pregnancy-related risks and complications were studied. Results: With over a 95% follow-up rate on the patients identified
as having been pregnant following surgery, we found less risk of gestational diabetes, macrosomia, and cesarean section than
associated with obesity. There were no patients with clinically significant anemia. Conclusion: Since the patients had an
operation that restricts their food intake, some basic precautions should be taken when they become pregnant. With this in
mind, our patients have done well with their pregnancies. The post-surgical group had fewer pregnancy-related complications
than did an internally controlled group that were morbidly obese during their previous pregnancies.
Gastric bypass - morbid obesity - pregnancy