Those of you who are TTA for weight loss before TTC...

RedRose101307 · 12-29-2008, 10:24 AM

how do you cope with the emotional side of it? the logical part of me knows i need to wait before getting pregnant. but the emotional side of me can't seem to get on board. i'm seriously considering WLS but am having a really hard time knowing that we'll have to wait for TTC. We have been TTC for 7 months, almost 8 months already and the thought of waiting another 18 months - 2 years is really hard for me.
we had tried the "lose weight while TTC" approach but it hasn't worked very well so far, i just can't seem to get the weight off.
i'm not really sure what i'm asking for here i just don't know what to do. is there anyone else in my situation right now?

MikesHAPPYwife · 12-31-2008, 02:11 AM

i have been blessed enough have one child so I am not in the exact situation, however, that was the hardest part about deciding to have WLS. Actually, one month before surgery I had a miscarriage which brought up all the emotions & feelings again. i have posted my story, check it out.

TDoern · 01-02-2009, 01:52 AM

I have to tell you that it is hard. I just now hit my 12 month out anniversary. It is a very hard thing to consider and do. While TTC we couldn't even get me to have a period every month - even using provera. Ovulating was out of the question, it never happened. TTC is an extremely emotional experience, and you are the only one that can make the choice to keep trying or even if WLS is the option for you.

I can say that if you are only considering WLS to get pregnant, I don't suggest it. I'm hoping that's not your only reason. WLS has a dramatic impact on your life, and is hard work, and rough on your mind and body. If you have been considering WLS for a while, and getting pregnant is just part of the reason, then I suggest you hit up local WLS seminars in your area and get more information.

The reasons I chose to have WLS were that I knew I wasn't healthy at 297 pounds. I have serious problems with my spine and all that extra weight wasn't good for my back. My back hasn't magically fixed itself, and it wont. BUT I know that the two other injuries to my back I've had this year would have been worse had I been at my heaviest weight when they happened. Getting pregnant was also a huge part of the decision for WLS.

The way I viewed the whole TTC thing is that I could have continued to TTC and put off having WLS. I knew that the chances of getting pregnant were slim to none without WLS, and every single day I pushed back the WLS it was just a longer time I'd have to weight. I decided I would rather have the WLS, get healthy, start taking care of me, and if nothing else there was very little chance I would be worse off in the TTC department, and chances were I'd be a whole lot better off.

For the first time in my life I am having regular periods - 29 days apart like clock-work. I just hit the point where we could start TTC again, so I can't tell you how much it will or will not help. I can say I know a LOT of women who credit some children to WLS.

Feel free to PM me if I can help you out with anything.

goddess819 · 01-02-2009, 09:38 PM

It's not easy, and I know the frusterations of infertility. I'd gone through 8 years of failed fertility treatments before I had my RNY WLS. I was blessed that at 16 months post op I was able to get pregnant with my first child the first month ttc and then again last year (wow...feels weird saying that) getting pregnant again first month ttc with my 2nd child at 3.5 years post op. You can't be selfish. As much as you want a child, you want that child to be healthy right? In order for that child to be healthy you need to be at a fairly stable weight, eating well and have the nutritional support needed to sustain a healthy pregnancy & baby. Can you do that just eating 200-400 calories a day? No. And that's going to be your daily average caloric intake for the first few months following surgery. Also being in a state of ketosis (where you're body is burning fat rapidly) is not healthy for pregnancy either. The closer you are to a stable weight & eating well the better your pregnancy & baby will be. I was stable and at goal at my 1 year post op visit and was given the 'ok' to get pregnant. Some surgeons are still holding out to the 18-24 months post op rule, but my surgeon has changed it from 18-24 months to 12 months for pregnancy. Good luck in your decision.

terilynn112 · 01-04-2009, 09:33 PM

You don't have to wait that long with a lapband. I'm done having children, but I have friends online and in real life that have gotten pregnant soon after a lapband placement. You don't have the malnutrician that RNY, DS and other ones do. I love my band. I couldn't have lost 50+ pounds without it.

Teri