Bradley Waggoner, MD

Study Finds Bariatric Surgery Reduces Level Of Obstetric Complications

According to a study¹ recently published in the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics by BGU Professor Eyal Sheiner and Dr. Adi Weintraub both of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Soroka University Medical Center, women who undergo bariatric surgery to treat obesity will reduce the risk of medical and obstetric complications when they become pregnant.

Between 1988 and 2006, 176 women had 301 (0.17%) deliveries that occurred before bariatric surgery and 354 women had 507 (0.28%) deliveries that occurred after bariatric surgery.

The study indicated that the risk of gestational diabetes alone drops by 60 percent when an obese woman has bariatric surgery before getting pregnant.  

There were significantly lower rates of hypertensive disorders in general and severe pre-eclampsia in particular, as well as lower rates of diabetes mellitus and anemia (defined as maternal hemoglobin less than 10 g/dL) following bariatric surgery.  

The study did show, however, a significantly higher rate of cesarean births in women who had undergone bariatric surgery.

The prevalence of people who are overweight or obese has increased dramatically in high-income countries over the past 20 years.  

In the United States, for example, figures for 1999 through 2002 showed that some two-thirds (65.1%) of Americans aged 20 years or older had a body mass index (BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) greater than 25 and were considered overweight.

One-third (30.4%) were considered obese (BMI greater than 30), and 4.9% were morbidly obese (BMI greater than 40).  Between 1999 and 2002, close to one-third of women of childbearing age (20–39 years) in the United States were classified as obese.

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¹American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. March 24, 2009. "Bariatric Surgery Minimizes Pregnancy Complications For Obese Women" <http://www.aabgu.org/media-center/news-releases/bariatric-surgery-minimizes.html>

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Infertility and Obesity: Another Reason to Lose Weight

Obesity brings with it many lifestyle and health obstacles. Consider the following if you are obese and are having problems conceiving.

Infertility is Not Gender Specific
Obesity in men and women alike may be a contributing factor to infertility. Recent studies conducted by UH researchers found that obese men have lower sperm count.¹ In separate studies conducted in Amsterdam, women who were severely obese were 43% less likely to achieve pregnancy than normal-weight women or women who were considered overweight but not obese.²

Possible Signs in Women of Infertility³
Includes irregular or infrequent menstrual cycles and later, an increased risk of miscarriage. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, more than 70 percent of women who are infertile as the result of body weight disorders will conceive spontaneously.

Although the above studies point to the link of infertility in obese people, the studies are also quick to mention that there are of course other factors which may be involved.

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¹ The Daily Utah Chronicle. July 30, 2008. "Study Links Male Obesity with Infertility"  <http://media.www.dailyutahchronicle.com>

²WebMD/Infertility and Reproduction Health Center. December 11, 2007 "Obesity Linked to Infertility in Women" <http://www.webmd.com>

³If you are considering weight loss surgery, you owe it to yourself to choose a physician who is not only highly skilled, but caring and compassionate as well. Many physicians out there will treat your obesity. Dr. Waggoner will treat you!

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• If you are ready to set-up an appoint to discuss your weight loss options.
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