Question:
Has anyone post op had a child diagnosed with developmental delay?
— Jeannet (posted on July 28, 2005)
July 27, 2005
Not to be rude, but what has a developmentally delayed child got to do with
being post op? My five year old grandson was diagnosed delayed at 18
months. I care for him a lot. Has absolutely nothing to do with me being
post op. Just what is your question?
— Delores S.
July 28, 2005
Hi...I don't have an answer for you, I don't have any children, but just
wanted to comment...I don't think she means anything derogitory by asking
this question...from her profile, it looks like she has a child that is
about 16 months now and may have been diagnosed with developmental
delay...I think she's just trying to find someone with common issues to
talk about it with...I hope you don't think I'm rude for speaking my
opinion on the matter..Good luck Jeanne, I hope you find some
answers..Denise
— lily1968
July 28, 2005
No she didn't mean anything, I just failed to see the connection because
she didn't ask is there anyone out there I can talk to that has a child
like mine. Howerver, I do have a grandson I care for most of the time and
might be able to help. that's why I responded. You know there are people
on the board that think their weight surgery is behind every thing that
happens. This person did not and is needing someone to talk to, I'm sure.
I have even seen questions like, I am a new post op, can I paint my
toenails red?
— Delores S.
July 28, 2005
I took your question totally differently than the first responder. I
assumed you mean that you were pregnant post op and have had a child that
has been diagnosed with developmental delay (possible). Are you curious if
there is any connection (nutritionally) that may have contributed to the
delay. Are you wanting to see if others have this problem to see if there
is perhaps a link to post op prenatal nutrition and a later diagnosis of
developmental delay in the child? I think that is a very good question and
I am wondering if others on the post op pregnancy board might be able to
help you. At any rate, good luck with your search for answers.
Shelley
— Shelley.
July 28, 2005
Original Poster here: Yes, my son has been diagnosed with developmental
delay and I was curious to see if there MAY BE a link between
malabsorption/RNY/WLS and developmental delay. I am sure that this has not
been studied and thought it would be interesting to know if it could be
related. I dont really understand why anyone would be offended by my
question; nor want to "sound rude". I have been a member of this
website for years now and have provided support and encouragement to many
via Q&A and personal emails. I personally am offended now that anyone
would attack me for asking this question... . Thank you Shelley and Denise
for taking the time to thoughfully answer my question. BTW if you took the
time to read my profile before jumping to conclusions, I've never blamed
anything on WLS, nor have I ever regretted having it.
— Jeannet
July 28, 2005
Jeanne,my daughter just turned 2 today & while her pediatrician doesn't
seem to think it's problematic,I feel she has a bit of a speech delay for
her age. However,she was also 2 months premature. I would attribute that to
her delay more than my being post-op. The reason is this...when I first
started seeing my OB/GYN I was really worried about not getting enough
nutrients to have a healthy pregnancy. I became obsessed with the thought
that my baby was going to be starving because I ate so little. But my
doctor assured me that most post-ops have healthy,normal babies & if
they don't there is a cause other than the WLS. He even ran countless tests
just to reassure me. Well,he was right,because since my gastric bypass,I
have had not one,but 2 beautiful healthy girls & they are both doing
wonderful. You didn't mention what type of delay your son has,or if there
are any other contributing factors,such as prematurity,fetal stress,etc.
I'm wondering if there is something else underlying causing his delay.
Or,maybe you are like me & just worrying unnecessairly. At any rate,I
hope my rant here has helped you a little bit. Best of luck to you!
— melmas
July 28, 2005
Ooops!
Sorry,I just noticed htat you never mentioned if your child was a boy or a
girl.
Forgive me for just "assuming" there.
Again,I appologize.
— melmas
July 28, 2005
Jeanne, while no one may have actually studied the problem of development
delay as related to RNY/WLS surgery, it has been studied at length relating
to nutrient deficiencies. It is a proven fact that children who's mother's
don't eat properly (extremely don't eat properly)or get the right nutrition
can have problems including and not limited to delayed development. There
are many, many studies out there that study nutrient deficiencies at each
stage of fetal development and link certain nutrients with certain
developmental issues. This is part of the reason our surgeons so strongly
emphasize NOT getting pregnant in the first 12 to 24 months (depending on
your surgeon). And, yes, I know there are many children out there born to
post-op mothers who are just fine even though they were conceived before 12
months out...I know one personally that found out she was pg within weeks
of having the surgery and so far everything is fine. Your child's delay
could be directly related to your WLS...and it may not be either. It
sounds like you have been very proactive with getting your child diagnosed
and based on that, you should be able to help him/her to overcome it. Good
luck! Carmen
— kccjer
July 28, 2005
Hi I don't know how true this is but I have heard that the baby will take
what nutrients it needs from your body and you are left with the rest. I
have heard of babys of post-op moms turning out healthy. I don't think the
first poster understood the question at all she's talking about her
grandson! Lol
— Miss KJ
July 28, 2005
WOW!!!!!!!!!! I don't see how you can see my post was attacking you. i
was only digging to see what you were really asking because in the original
post you did not say what you wanted or provide any information. Sorry if
you were offended.
— Delores S.
July 29, 2005
IMHO there is no connection between gastric bypass and developmental delay.
During getation the baby will take everythign it needs from the mother
nutrition-wise. the mothers nutritional status may decrease but the baby
will get all that is needed.
My son has developmental delay and ADHD. He was born pre-op. What I have
found with networking with other parents in the same boat as I am is that
everyone wants to blame SOMETHING on the delay rather than fate or
genetics.
I would try to mellow out. It happens and you will be able to deal with
it. Blaming somthing or finding a "cause" will not change the
facts- there is a problem.
I hope you get the support you need. If your child is under 3 check out
the local area education agency and they will work with your child in the
home. Early intervention is the key!
— Pupcake !.
July 29, 2005
You know, I NEVER said that I was blaming anyone or anything for my son's
delay. Nor am I looking for a cause. I wanted to know IF ANYONE ELSE THAT
HAS HAD WLS HAD A KID WITH DD. I wanted to know if there could be a link.
I certainly am not merely focused on blaming anything; including WLS. Many
medications have been linked to heart disease, cancer and the like. How do
you think they found out? By networking. That was all I intended to do.
Christ, I wish that I never posted this question. It seems that some are
way too defensive of this surgery that they can't even read this
objectively. And FYI, despite my seemingly preoccupation with finding
someone or something to blame for my son's delay, he already is in early
intervention, has been for three months. Many (therapists, daycare people,
parents) are even shocked that I have been so proactive and observant.
Thanks for the suggestions, but hold back on the assumptions, please.
— Jeannet
September 13, 2005
Let's all be nice. I know we all love one another and support everybody. (I
really don't think anyone meant any harm or to jump on anyone. This is a
msg board, so we all have to take turns talking--Too bad we can't talk in
person-- I think it would help in situations like this!)
— bufordslipstick
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