OBESITY & PREGNANCY

Obesity & Pregnancy

Excess weight negatively affects the health of women. Being overweight or obese increases the relative risk of diseases like Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease in women. Females who are obese have a higher risk of low back pain and knee osteoarthritis. Obesity negatively affects both contraception and fertility as well. Maternal obesity is linked with higher rates of cesarean section as well as higher rates of high-risk obstetrical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Pregnancy outcomes are negatively affected by maternal obesity (increased risk of neonatal mortality and malformations). There is an  association between obesity and depression in women, though cultural factors may influence this association. Obese women are at higher risk for multiple cancers, including endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, and perhaps ovarian cancer.

Excess weight affects female fertility. Obesity has number of different  effects on fertility of  women as well as men.

• A fine hormonal balance regulates the menstrual cycle. Overweight and obesewomen have higher levels of a hormone called leptin, which is produced in fatty tissue. This can disrupt the hormone balance and lead to reduced chances of conception.
• Hormonal imbalance due to obesity also leads to insulin resistance that can lead to diabetes. Insulin resistance can also cause anovulation (condition when body does not produce eggs properly)
• Due to imbalance in hormones and anovulation,  natural and assisted ( such as in vitro fertilization IVF) pregnancies becomes challenging. It also increases risks of miscarriage
• Obesity effects men fertility also because of drop in testosterone. Condition like erectile dysfunction also occurs at higher rate among obese men.

Weight loss via bariatric surgery has decrease many pregnancy complications. According to a study  it was suggested that women who had delivered children after  (bariatric) surgery (as compared with women who delivered before surgery) had decreased rates of hypertension, preeclampsia  & diabetes during pregnancy.

It is recommended to wait for a year after the bariatric surgery in order to get pregnant. After talking to your surgeon and gynaecologist, with regular follow ups & proper dosage of supplements, you can have a healthy pregnancy.

For any queries, you can write to Dr Amit Garg ( Bariatric & Metabolic Surgeon, Chandigarh, India) at codsils.info@gmail.com  or call us at +91 7986991767, +91 6283337650

THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER AFTER BARIATRIC SURGERY

The Importance of Water After Bariatric Surgery

Water is vital for good health of our body. It keeps our body cells, hair and skin hydrated and also important for eliminating waste from our body.

Post Bariatric Surgery you should follow these guidelines to ensure you stay well hydrated :

• Drink at least 2 to 3 Litres  of water/liquid daily.
• Avoid drinking sugary beverages especially in the initial stage of recovery. In the later stage, one can drink but not more than 5 calories per 230 ml  serving.
• One should not take more than 230 to 470 ml caffeinated beverages.
• per day.
• If you drink coffee or tea, keep it sugar and fat free.
• Water/fluids should be taken around 30 minutes before the meal but not with meals. You can drink water/ fluids 30 to 60 minutes after the meal.

Signs You’re dehydrated…

• The color of your urine can tell you if you need to drink more. Urine should be close to the shade of lemonade, and that you should drink more water if it’s any darker.
• Other indications of dehydration are:
• Fatigue
• dry skin
• muscle cramping
• constipation
• dizziness
• As we grow older, our thirst mechanism gets weaker with age. So keep check on your water intake is very important to avoid dehydration.
• Foods like cucumber, watermelon etc which have high water content can also help to keep you well hydrated
• So although you may have to run to your nearest bathroom more often than usual, Drinking sufficient water especially on hot days is worth it.

Stay cool and drink up.

For any queries, you can write to Dr Amit Garg ( Bariatric & Metabolic Surgeon, Chandigarh, India) at codsils.info@gmail.com  or call us at +91 7986991767, +91 6283337650