Female Fertility Outcome Following Bariatric Surgery: Five-Year Follow Up

To evaluate fertility, weight loss, improvement in obesity related comorbidities, and pregnancy outcomes over five years following metabolic bariatric surgery (laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy [LSG] and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass [LRYGB]) in morbidly obese premenopausal women with infertility or planning pregnancy.

This retrospective cohort study included 79 adult females with morbid obesity who underwent LSG (n = 38) or LRYGB (n = 41). After 5 years of follow up: we evaluated percentage excess weight loss (%EWL), comorbidities improvement, postoperative complications or mortality, and fertility outcomes. Fertility outcomes were assessed in three subgroups: primary infertility (n = 21), secondary infertility (n = 8), and pre-marriage patients (n = 50).

Both procedures achieved sustained weight loss (5-year %EWL: LSG 63.1 ± 1.5%, LRYGB 65.2 ± 8.1%; p = 0.16). Conception rates were high across all subgroups (primary infertility: LSG 80%, LRYGB 72.7%; secondary infertility: 100% both; pre-marriage: LSG 100%, LRYGB 92.3%). LRYGB demonstrated superior remission of type 2 diabetes (100% vs 66.7%, p = 0.038) and GERD (85.7% vs 40%, p = 0.015). Pregnancy-related complications, including gestational diabetes and hypertension, were minimal and resolved postpartum. No neonatal anomalies were reported. Cesarean section rates were high in both groups (63.1%-65.8%), likely reflecting cultural or provider preferences rather than surgical indication.

Both LSG and LRYGB are effective and safe in improving fertility, achieving significant weight loss, and supporting favorable pregnancy outcomes in morbidly obese women. LRYGB may be preferred for patients with metabolic comorbidities, especially type 2 diabetes and GERD. Metabolic Bariatric surgery should be considered early in reproductive planning for selected patients.