Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 9/13/2007

Question
HI,
ABOUT 5 1/2 WKS AGO I HAD A LAPROSCOPIC BANDING ( LAP BAND SURGERY)PREFORMED TO LOOSE WEIGHT AND I FOUND OUT YESTERDAY WITH A SONOGRAM THAT I AM 7 1/2 WKS PREGNANT \. IM REALLY CONCERNED BECAUSE IM AFRAID THAT THE ANESTHESIA, MORFINE AND BLOOD THINNERS MAY AFFECT MY PREGNANCY.   

PLEASE TELL ME IF AND HOW THIS PROCEDURE CAN AFFECT MY BABY OR MYSELF. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT
PLEASE RESPOND ASAP

Answer
I am surprised that the anesthesiologists did not perform a pregnancy test before your surgery. The biggest problem with anesthesia and pregnancy is during the first trimester when organogenesis occurs. It also depends on what anesthetic agents you received. This is not to say that anesthesia during that time will always produce problems but the possibility exists. Certainly you should let your OB doctor know what happened. As your pregnancy progresses, ultrasounds will give you a good indication if there are any defects and you'll likely have a few more than most people. I can't tell you to terminate the pregnancy beecause there is no evidence that a problem exists but you should be aware that you are at "potential" risk and should be monitored closely.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston