Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of women during pregnancy after bariatric surgery

Background: Women of childbearing age constitute a substantial proportion of the patients who undergo weight loss procedures. However, little is known regarding attitudes and behaviors of women during pregnancy after bariatric surgery (BS). Objectives: We explored women's experience and behavior during pregnancy after BS. Setting: University hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was performed among women who underwent sleeve gastrectomy and delivered at our center. Results: Overall, 111 women completed the questionnaire (response rate 88.1%). The median surgery-to-conception interval was 34 (25–50) months. For 28 (25.2%) women, future pregnancy was a motivation for undergoing the weight loss procedure. Only 10 (9.0%) received contraceptive advice perioperatively. Oral contraception was the most commonly used method after surgery (n = 47, 42.3%). Pregnancy was reported as unintended by 37 (33.3%) women. Only 14 (12.6%) women stated receiving an explanation regarding the implications of BS on pregnancy outcomes. Rates of follow-up with maternal-fetal medicine specialists, bariatric surgeons, and dieticians during pregnancy were 36.0%, 9.0%, and 23.4%, respectively. Forty-four women (39.6%) felt follow-up throughout gestation was inadequate. Satisfaction from BS improved after pregnancy in 23 (20.7%) women, and 75 (67.6%) stated that they would recommend BS to a friend with obesity who plans to conceive in the future. Conclusions: Women reported insufficient knowledge regarding the expected outcomes of pregnancy after surgery, with low rates of medical and nutritional follow-up. Only a minority of respondents received contraceptive advice after surgery, and unintended pregnancies were common. These observations represent areas of improvement for following women of childbearing age who undergo weight loss procedures.