Interval to conception after bariatric surgery

Systematic studies have generally demonstrated that pregnancy in women who have undergone bariatric surgery is safer than pregnancy in obese women. However, the rapid weight loss ensuing 1-2 years post bariatric surgery raises concern regarding the safety of pregnancy during this period. Potential complications arising in early post-bariatric surgery pregnancies include intrauterine growth restriction, nutritional deficiencies, and fetal malformation. In addition, conception during this time prevents patients from achieving weight loss goals, theoretically putting them at risk for the same perinatal complications seen in obese women. Although data are scarce, these concerns have not been validated in recent research. Studies have largely shown that pregnancy during the first 1-2 years after weight loss surgery is not associated with an increased complication rate as compared to a longer interval to conception after this procedure. This chapter aims to review the potential complications and current recommendations regarding pregnancy in the first 1-2 years after bariatric surgery.