How Safe Are Bariatric Procedures For Pregnant Women?
 

Are you a pregnant woman struggling with excess weight? Before you consider weight loss surgery, and in particular, the very popular gastric band procedure, you need to know all the facts. You see, while this procedure can help you to lose weight, it may lead to serious health risks for you and your baby.

With the gastric band procedure, patients are implanted with a constricting device that is tied around the stomach. As a result, patients are able to regulate their appetites and food intake. And while this procedure has proven to be very effective for obese men and women, it does carry with it serious health concerns, especially for pregnant women.

A Case Study, In Detail

In a case study presented in December at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) 8th International Scientific Meeting, the worst-case scenario was illustrated. The health care experts present came to one conclusion for pregnant patients undergoing the gastric band procedure. The decision was that these patients may need to have their bands adjusted and released, in order to prevent pregnancy complications.

The case study involved an obese and pregnant 33-year old patient who sought help at Rotherham Hospital in England. The patient had undergone a laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding procedure. Then, when she was 17 weeks pregnant, she was experiencing severe morning sickness and significant weight loss.

The attending physicians determined that the patient was severely malnourished. They immediately gave her parenteral (through the veins) nutrition, as well as multivitamin supplements. In addition, they released the patient’s gastric band, which did cause noticeable improvement. A month later, when she was 21 weeks pregnant, the patient’s gastric band was removed laparoscopically (performed minimally, through the abdomen). The patient received periodic follow-ups, including serial growth scans. She eventually had a normal full-term vaginal delivery.

Pregnant Patients Need To Follow Guidelines

The bottom line? Pregnant women considering the gastric band procedure, as well as other surgeries for obesity, should be aware of related complications. And just as important, they should follow strict guidelines for their health. It’s essential for these patients to inform their doctors that they have undergone the procedure before becoming pregnant, in order to make a health care assessment.

"When a woman is pregnant, she needs to take extra care of her diet. She must eat healthily so that the fetus receives the nourishment it needs to grow,” says Dr Neena Garg, a specialist trainee in obstetrics and gynaecology from Dewsbury District Hospital. “This includes having well-balanced meals and the recommended nutritional supplements. A gastric band may prevent these essential nutrients from reaching the mother and baby and has been shown to induce the unpleasant side effect of nausea."

Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com