Excess weight affects far more than just the heart and blood vessels — for many women, it can also mean difficulty getting pregnant. But for some, bariatric surgery is offering a new path to parenthood.
Delilah Lebron, a mother from North Philadelphia, knows that struggle firsthand.
“I would gain 15 pounds, lose 15, then gain it all back — and more,” she said.
After years of battling her weight alone, Delilah became pregnant with twins at age 26. During her pregnancy, she gained an additional 70 pounds on top of her already 300-pound frame. After giving birth, the daily demands of parenting two toddlers left her feeling exhausted and breathless.
That’s when she made the decision to have bariatric surgery.
Dr. Tatyan Clarke, a bariatric surgeon at Temple Health, explains that obesity can deeply affect fertility.
“Excess weight disrupts hormone regulation, which can interfere with ovulation and the menstrual cycle,” she said.
Obesity is also closely linked to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a common condition that affects how the ovaries function.
“PCOS affects how the body produces and releases eggs, making it harder to conceive,” Dr. Clarke explained.
Even when obese women do become pregnant, the risk of serious complications rises. Dr. Clarke listed a number of concerns: Cesarean sections, stillbirths, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and premature births. There are even challenges during delivery, such as reactions to anesthesia.
While weight-loss medications can help reduce weight, Dr. Clarke notes that bariatric surgery has the most powerful impact on fertility.
“Many patients see their fertility improve very quickly, sometimes within just a few weeks or months after surgery,” she said.
Because of how quickly fertility can return, doctors recommend patients use reliable birth control for 18 months to two years after surgery.
Delilah experienced this first-hand. Just six months after her operation, she became pregnant with her daughter.
Despite losing weight during the pregnancy, she and her baby stayed healthy thanks to careful nutritional planning.
Now, Delilah is focused on continuing her weight-loss journey and being an active mom.
“I can take my kids to the park. I walk them to school,” she said. “I even walk up to 20,000 steps a day at work.”
She’s thrilled to have her energy back — and her life back on track.
Dr. Clarke adds that the benefits of bariatric surgery go far beyond fertility. It also reduces the risk of weight-related cancers, including breast and uterine cancers, which are becoming more common.
For women like Delilah, the procedure has brought more than just weight loss — it’s opened the door to a healthier, fuller life.
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