Duodenal Switch Surgery

Duodenal switch surgery is an effective weight loss surgery for the person whose BMI is greater than 40 and are aged between 18 to 65. Actually, the surgery promotes weight loss by restricting the amount of food intake and by causing reduction in the amount of calorie absorption i.e. malabsorption. After surgery, it takes about three to four weeks for recovery. As far as the Duodenal switch and pregnancy is concerned, for women who are in their child bearing age and want to become pregnant after duodenal surgery have to weight at least for 12 to 18 months because this is the period when weight loss occurs mostly.

It is surprised to know that pregnancy after surgery is safer as compared to pregnancy during obesity. Because obese women may have various pregnancy related complications like hypertension, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes that can cause harm to fetus growth and health. Also, obese pregnant women have least chance of having normal delivery and ultimately they have to go for surgery. It is also seen that women who are obese have difficulty in conceiving and in getting pregnant and therefore pregnancy after weight loss surgery is better alternative.

Pregnancy after duodenal switch can be advantageous in many ways:

• Improves fertility rate.
• Reduces risk of cesarean delivery.
• Reduces pregnancy related complications like development of hernia or tumors.
• Pre and post delivery complication get reduced.
• Reduced risk of neo-natal complications.
• Least chance of premature delivery, low-birth weight or prenatal mortality as compared to obese women

• Doctors advised patients to use contraception to avoid pregnancy during waiting period.
• Women who get pregnant before the waiting period have found to have problems like bleeding in the intestine and abnormal growth of child.
• Taking proper vitamins and mineral supplement are very essential for having a healthy child.
• Duodenal switch surgery promotes weight loss through malabsorptive restriction therefore; there may be a chance of nutritional deficiency and if you get pregnant, you may give birth to abnormal child due to lack of proper nutrition.

So, it is advised to wait for 18 months before getting pregnant and to enjoy a healthy pregnancy. Finally, if you are looking to get pregnant after duodenal surgery, consult your doctor about the diet plan and follow nutritious diet plan, and exercise to have a healthy child.