One of the benefits of weight loss surgery is that it can often help previously infertile women to become pregnant. High weight can often cause infertility, and weight loss can cure this problem. Life after bariatric surgery can often include having children.

However, it is important to wait a full two years after surgery before becoming pregnant. This may seem like a long time, but it is crucial to avoid severe risks of birth defects and medical issues for the child. Rapid weight loss during pregnancy can deprive a growing baby of vital nutrients. Conceiving before two years have passed can lead to problems such as neural tube defects, malnutrition, low birth weight, prolonged neonatal ICU stay, and even autism.

If you do become pregnant, it is vital to ensure that your surgeon or practitioner knows about your pregnancy. Labs should be monitored regularly to ensure that vitamin or mineral deficiencies do not occur. You will also need to take a prenatal vitamin along with 1500 mg of calcium citrate every day to prevent neurological or skeletal defects to the fetus. Other vitamins may also be required, although this varies from person to person.