Bariatric surgery can improve a patient’s fertility and some of the pregnancy-related outcomes. It is important to note, however, that following metabolic surgery, patients should wait at least 12-18 months before becoming pregnant. This should allow a patient to stabilise their weight, ensuring they consume enough calories for both the mother and fetus. This means, after a bariatric procedure, contraception should be prescribed. This can be in the form of barrier protection, oral contraceptives, or intra-uterine devices.

It is also important that women are closely monitored during their pregnancies, looking for and correcting any nutritional deficiency, that should arise. The care of a pregnant woman post metabolic surgery should involve a multidisciplinary team including the patients’ general practitioner, obstetrician, dietician, and surgeon.

Metabolic surgery can result in a significant improvement in outcomes for both the mother and fetus.