Early pregnancy after bariatric surgery: a single-institute preliminary experience

Pregnancy after bariatric surgery is an issue of growing importance with increasing number of women undergoing bariatric surgery. Therefore, in this study we present patients who conceived after sleeve gastrectomy and evaluate the obstetric outcomes.

This retrospective case-control study includes 23 women who conceived after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Patients were evaluated in two groups according to the number of months between surgery and conception (group 1: ≤12 months; group 2: >12 months).

The mean body mass index of patients before surgery and at the time of conception was 46.6 kg/m2 and 29.7 kg/m2, respectively. Nine patients (39.1%) had a history of infertility. There was no statistical difference between groups 1 and 2 for haemoglobin, ferritin, and 25-OH Vit-D levels or maternofoetal complication rates and pregnancy outcomes. Enteral nutrition requirements and intravenous iron replacement needs were higher in group 1, although this difference was not statistically significant.

Pregnancy in the first years after sleeve gastrectomy seems to have similar obstetric outcomes compared to pregnancies occurring later, but it remains a controversial issue. Although the results did not have statistical significance in our study, well-designed prospective series may determine the role of enteral nutrition and intravenous iron replacement in patient management.