It is clear that whilst most women are aware of the recommendations regarding pregnancy and contraception following bariatric surgery, many do not heed them. Various forms of contraception are available after weight loss surgery, and choice of method should take into account a range of personal factors including long and ​short term requirements, future plans for pregnancy, sexual health risks, age, overall health, use of other medications, efficacy and convenience.

There are various recommendations regarding the timing of planned pregnancy after weight loss surgery which are based on a theoretical understanding of what occurs after the operation. A truly controlled scientific study evaluating the risk and benefit of pregnancy after surgical weight loss is difficult to design. We employ a common sense approach based on surgical literature as well as an understanding of the changes that occur after surgical operations for weight loss.