Effect of Weight Loss After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy on Infertility of Women in Shiraz

Abstract

Abstract

Objective:

Obesity could be associated with abnormalities in reproductive functioning and fertility in women. This was a retrospective study performed to evaluate the weight loss after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and its effect on infertility of childbearing women in Shiraz, Iran.

Materials and Methods:

A study was performed with 221 female patients who underwent LSG from September 2009 until April 2014, in Shiraz. Data were analyzed from patients; mean age was 36.66 ± 0.7; mean education was 13.21 years; and mean body mass index (BMI) was 43.99 ± 0.5 kg/m². Of these patients, 66.1% were of childbearing age (n = 146). Participants were chosen as “infertile patients” based on histories from self-report questionnaires. The effectiveness of sleeve gastrectomy was evaluated for improving fertility, while assessing the influence of comorbidities, weight loss, and BMI before and after surgery.

Results:

There were 15 infertile women who underwent LSG because of obesity. Weight loss and resolution of infertility were evaluated and showed that, of these 15 women who had tried unsuccessfully to become pregnant before weight loss, 7 became pregnant afterward. The pregnancies proceeded without complications and ended with live births.

Conclusions:

LSG is a surgical procedure for addressing morbid obesity and produces weight-loss effects and resolution of comorbidities. LSG could be effective in young infertile obese women who wish to become pregnant. Weight loss appears to increase the pregnancy rate and improve irregular menstruation cycles. Time and amount of weight reduction are essential components of infertility management. (J GYNECOL SURG 33:43)