Your Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy
You've taken important steps to improve your health. Now let's work together to make sure you and your baby thrive during pregnancy.
This guide will help you understand:
Having bariatric surgery before pregnancy shows you care about your health and your baby's health.
Good news: Pregnancy after bariatric surgery has better outcomes than pregnancy with obesity and no surgery.
What this means for you:
Your surgery gives you and your baby a healthier start.
Bariatric surgery changes how your body absorbs nutrients. This is usually helpful for weight management.
During pregnancy, we need to make sure you and baby get enough:
The main focus: Making sure you get the right nutrition. We'll check this regularly with blood tests.
Your surgery changed your digestive system. This means:
Gastric sleeve: Your stomach is smaller, so you eat less at one time.
Gastric bypass: Your stomach is smaller AND your intestines absorb less of what you eat.
For your baby: Getting enough nutrients helps your baby grow properly and develop a healthy brain and body.
For you: Good nutrition prevents anemia (low blood counts), weak bones, and feeling overly tired.
Don't worry—we'll monitor this closely and fix any problems early.
We'll do extra monitoring to keep you and baby healthy:
If we find low levels: We'll give you extra supplements. This is common and easy to fix.
You'll likely have more ultrasounds than a typical pregnancy.
Why? We want to make sure baby is growing well. Some babies grow slower if mom isn't getting enough nutrition.
When? Usually starting around 28 weeks and then every 3-4 weeks until delivery.
What this means: More chances to see your baby! These ultrasounds are precautionary. Most babies grow perfectly fine.
You'll need more than a standard prenatal vitamin.
| Prenatal vitamin | One or two per day (with iron) |
| Calcium | 1,200-1,500 mg total per day |
| Vitamin D | 3,000-5,000 IU per day |
| Vitamin B12 | 350-500 mcg per day (may need more) |
| Iron | If your blood tests show you need it |
Your action: Take vitamins daily. Set a phone reminder if it helps. Bring your vitamin bottles to each visit.
Weight gain recommendations depend on your current weight and BMI.
General guidelines:
We'll give you a personalized target. Every person is different. What matters most is steady, gradual gain—not rapid changes.
Some weight loss in early pregnancy is okay, especially if you have morning sickness. We'll monitor this.
Focus on quality nutrition in small, frequent meals.
Consider meeting with a dietitian who specializes in pregnancy after bariatric surgery. We can refer you.
This happens when food moves too quickly through your stomach. You might feel dizzy, sweaty, or nauseous after eating—especially with sugary foods.
What helps: Avoid simple sugars. Eat slowly. Drink fluids between (not during) meals.
Some people get low blood sugar after bypass surgery.
What helps: Eat regularly. Always have a protein snack with you. Tell us if you feel shaky, sweaty, or dizzy.
These are manageable. If you experience either, we'll work with you to adjust your eating plan.
Most women who've had bariatric surgery can deliver vaginally.
Your surgery does not require a C-section. We'll only recommend one if there's a medical reason—same as any pregnancy.
During labor, we'll:
Your bariatric surgery team doesn't need to be involved in your delivery.
Pregnancy after bariatric surgery requires teamwork.
What we'll do:
What you can do:
You've already taken important steps by having bariatric surgery. Now we'll work together to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
Questions? Write them down and bring them to your next visit. We're here to support you every step of the way.
You've got this. We've got you.