Inova Weight Loss Services offer promise for couples trying to conceive

Weight Loss for Fertility

Starting a family can be a bumpy road for some couples, especially when weight gets in the way. Obesity can cause fertility problems in both women and men.

Research shows that obesity can also contribute to pregnancy problems such as hypertension, miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, stillbirth, gestational diabetes and an increased need for a Cesarean section delivery.

“Obesity can result in reduced fertility in both men and women. Obese men may have lower sperm counts or lower sex drive and difficulty conceiving as a result of those issues,” says John Gordon, MD, Division Director of Reproductive Endocrinology at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus and Co-Director of Dominion Fertility. “Women who are markedly above their ideal body weight will often have irregular menstrual cycles because they’re not ovulating regularly. Getting pregnant becomes more problematic because they’re not sure exactly when they’re fertile.”

There’s Still Time

Fortunately, there’s an answer for couples struggling with weight issues. Inova Weight Loss Services offers many options, from a medically supervised weight loss program to minimally invasive weight loss surgery, for couples who don’t want to wait years before they are able to conceive.

“Weight absolutely contributes to infertility by causing hormonal disorders. By the time couples come to us they’re in their mid-30s and they can’t take 4 or 5 years to lose the weight,” says Amir Moazzez, MD, a bariatric surgeon who works with patients dealing with fertility issues. “People have this misconception that if you have weight loss surgery you cannot get pregnant, but the opposite is true.”

Dr. Moazzez and his expert team are dedicated to providing weight loss options to help couples improve their ability to start a family.

“A 100-pound weight loss in patients with a BMI of over 50 significantly improves their fertility, and a BMI of less than 30 is ideal for patients to consider pregnancy,” says Dr. Moazzez.

In addition to improving a couple’s pregnancy prospects, weight loss can also help a couple be healthier throughout pregnancy and parenthood.

Achieving Your Goals

If you’ve tried diet, exercise or medications to lose weight, but you have not achieved your desired weight loss, minimally invasive bariatric surgery at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital may provide a solution. In addition to improving fertility, weight loss contributes to a healthier pregnancy as well as overall health.

“Weight loss surgery provides you with a better pregnancy outcome and protects you from gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes and the need for a Cesarean section,” says George Iskander, MD, an obstetrician and gynecologist who performs minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital.”It gives you a healthier pregnancy and healthier life.”

A designated Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery, the Inova Fair Oaks Weight Loss Surgery Program provides a personalized program geared to the needs of each patient. An expert team of bariatric surgeons, weight loss physicians, dietitians, psychiatrists, psychologists and nurses are available to help you find a permanent weight loss solution and improve your overall health, offering nutritional counseling, pre- and post-surgical consultations and more.

Learn more

To register for a free Inova seminar or webinar about medical weight loss or bariatric surgery, call 703-348-4716.

For more information about personalized fertility options, call Dominion Fertility at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital at 703-620-0222.