Pregnancy After Bariatric Surgery-Experience from a Tertiary Center

Area of Science:

• Maternal-fetal medicine
• Bariatric surgery outcomes
• Reproductive health

Background:

• Bariatric surgery is increasingly common among women of reproductive age.
• The impact of bariatric surgery on pregnancy outcomes remains incompletely understood.
• Understanding these effects is crucial for managing pregnancies in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between prior bariatric surgery and pregnancy outcomes.
• To compare pregnancy outcomes in women with and without a history of bariatric surgery.
• To identify specific risks and benefits associated with pregnancy post-bariatric surgery.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational study conducted at a tertiary center.
• Comparison of two groups: pregnant women with prior bariatric surgery (n=89) and pregnant women with BMI ≥ 35 kg/m² without surgery (n=176).
• Multivariate analysis used to adjust for potential confounding factors.

Main Results:

• Pregnancy post-bariatric surgery was linked to lower rates of gestational diabetes and cesarean delivery.
• Higher gestational weight gain was observed, with inadequate gain (<10.0 kg) associated with increased preterm delivery risk.
• Associated with lower neonate weight percentile and higher risk of fetal growth restriction, but lower risk of fetal macrosomia.

Conclusions:

• Pregnancy following bariatric surgery presents a complex profile of both risks and benefits.
• Healthcare providers must consider these factors and offer individualized care.
• Emphasis on monitoring gestational weight and preventing micronutrient deficiencies is critical.