Reproductive Health outcomes after Metabolic Surgery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Observational Prospective Cohort Study of reproductive health outcomes of women aged 18-45 undergoing Metabolic Surgery
IRAS ID
236734
Contact name
Jill Shawe
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Surrey
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 4 months, 1 days
Research summary
Surgery can be a very effective treatment for obesity, resulting in significant and sustained weight loss. More women are having weight loss surgery (also known as metabolic surgery) and at a younger age.
Obesity can negatively affect all areas of a woman’s reproductive health. Comparing obese women to women of a normal weight; they are more likely to struggle to get pregnant, have a miscarriage, have medical problems in the pregnancy, lose their baby and have a caesarean. Weight-loss surgery may help to improve reproductive function and reduce the risks associated with pregnancy in obese women. There are however potential disadvantages associated with having babies after this type of surgery. If women get pregnant soon after weight-loss surgery, their food and nutrient intake may not be as good as normal, there is concern this may mean the baby does not get enough nutrition in the womb. We don’t know enough about how these women should be advised and supported after surgery to best improve their chances of having a healthy pregnancy.
This study will follow women from the time before weight-loss surgery through to 12 months after surgery. We will look at how women’s nutritional status, health, wellbeing and fertility change over that time. We will do this through linking health records, performing additional fertility and nutritional assessments and quality of life questioners. In addition any women who happen to get pregnant during the study observation period will be followed closely to collect data on their health and that of their babies.
This work will address an important gap in our current knowledge about the effect of weight-loss surgery on menstrual cycles, fertility and pregnancies and allow us to better support women who choose to have this type of surgery to maximise its benefits.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
18/WS/0049
Date of REC Opinion
29 May 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion