PCOS and stall already? do i need my metformin

I just thought it would be faster. I really am frustrated that I am not seeing some weight loss daily or almost daily. After I had my surgery, my surgeon said I didn't have to go back on my Metformin for my PCOS thinking I wouldn't need it. I know that the meds were what kept my weight relatively stable and contributed greatly to my loss of 100 pounds about 8 years ago. I go in to the doctor on Friday for my two week check up. As of this morning I am down about 11 pounds if I lean right no the scale. He put me on soft foods after only one week and I wonder if that's the problem too. I will ask if he should let me take them again. Has anyone else gone back on the meds after surgery for PCOS? I guess it boils down to the fact that my first weight loss surgery 20 years ago was a complete failure because I didn't know I had PCOS and how to treat it. I just can't have this be a failure too. Every time the weight stops, I worry it's the end. Becky 228/227/130

Hi. I also have PCOS and was wondering about the Metformin as I was also taken off of it when I had surgery. At my 2 week post-op check up, the nurse explained that taking Metformin after surgery while on a sugar free diet could drop blood sugars too low and create problems. She didn't feel that I needed it, but she said that I can talk to my pcp about it if my weight loss slows down too much. I would suggest the same for you. Remember that everyone stalls out for a week or so after surgery as the body fights the diet and tries to hold onto the fat. I would give it more time and start up the exercise as soon as you have permission so that will increase your metabolism. I have only lost 4 lbs in the last week and feel frustrated as well, but I am going to give myself a full month or two to see what happens before I call my PCP. Another good place to ask about this is the PCOS forum as there are several women on there with PCOS who have had RNY gastric bypass also. Maybe they will have a different perspective. Good luck! Sherry

thanks so much Sherry! I knew you also had PCOS. I have seen some of your posts on the PCOS board. It doesn't seem like it's real active though. I know I am being way too sensitive but my goodness I can't imagine all this work for nothing. I feel like when I can eat more 'normal' foods like lean deli meat, chicken and tuna with no trouble, then my protein intake should show some results. Seems everything I eat to get protein with purees or soft foods has carbs too. I appreciate input. I was so tempted to pop one of those Metformin tonight but I need to wait. Becky 238/227/130

I know how frustrating it is. The last 3 days I have only gone down .4 and .2 lbs each day. I am hoping it is the stall they talk about and jjust not how my body is going to be. I get tempted also to take met, but I don't want to become hypoglycemic either. Some people have weird reactions to low blood sugar, so it's better not to do that unless you are testing your blood sugar and know what's normal for you. With PCOS we don't have to do that, so I plan on just waiting and seeing. I hope it picks up though for us both! I didn't know the PCOS board had been slow. I have met some ladies on there who are both recent RNYers or had it several years ago. They all seem to be doing good and losing the weight, so I think maybe it's just the early post-surgery jitters and doubts that lots of people have. Or at least I hope that's it. Have a losing week! Sherry

Hi ladies! I too have PCOS but havent' been on meds for a couple of years... .only took it during trying to get pregnant, which was a failure! I had VSG surgery on 3/28 and hit a stall last week, for about 5 days I stayed the same, but I'm convinced that it was due to being able to eat more soft foods, but my energy not being up I wasn't exercising enough. I'm starting to feel better and was down 1 this AM. Hang in there, I hear stalls are common on all WLS!! I had also asked why I'm not getting the shakes due to not eating as much and it was explained I'm not getting much sugar in, so the ups/downs of sugar highs/lows nearly go away.. may be why Metformin isnt really necessary after surgery!

I have PCOS too and was very concerned about not being able to lose the weight...but my PCP told me that WLS helps with PCOS. I have had stalls as well over the past week and afer reading that practically everyone has (except for the men...grrrrr...hehe) I am convinced that this is not a problem. What seems to help me is that I start looking at the Before and Afters again...and I read the journals...I try to find the part in their journal where they were at wear I am at and inevitably they had the stall too! Then I look at their after and KNOW that I will be there soon enough! Hope this helps! Rita

Becky, I am not familiar with PCOS but I know I thought I would have lost more by now. I only lost 12 lbs since surgery and that was during the 1st week. Everyone keeps telling me that if I were bigger to begin I would have lost more by now...I am not too sure about that. I am going to pray that we are losing slow for a GOOD reason. Necole

take it from a serial weigher--stay off the scale everyday--you will lose you mind! also you have to remember that your body has gone through major surgery and needs some time to adjust to the changes. I doubt being on soft foods has slowed the weightloss down--follow your doctor's program and you will be fine! you are doing a great job! mj

Hello my name is Becky and I am a scale o holic!!! I so have to get over that but I have been addicted for 30 years! It's terrible. I think back and I am down 4 1/2 pounds from last week, but I am already panicking about THIS week. I had set a goal of 2 pounds a week, so I am doing okay and several people have told me that they see the loss already.. I might have to have my daughter hide the scale from me except for once a week. thanks everyone for your support, many of you being my PolyCysters! Becky 240/224/130

I have PCOS too. My endocrinologist is the one *****ally helped me decide to have WLS. My blood levels are crazy off and I also have an insulin resistent form of PCOS which makes it all suck even more. He said I would get diabetes within 5 years and have heart disease in my 30s just like my father. Not to mention the tons of other symptoms and problems that come from PCOS. He was going to put my on metformin but only if I didn't want to have the surgery...I said I was willing to do what I needed to to be healthy and live a longer life so I wanted the surgery. He said a year after my surgery to make an appointment and he would check my werido blood levels and make sure they are improving. I had my surgery on 3/15 and I have lost 38.5 lbs so far. I had some complications so I was on liquids for 3 weeks. I was also dehydrated so my weight loss seemed alot more rapid at first so the last few weeks it appeared that I hadn't lost that much even though I lost fat but gained water weight. From what I have read is that some with PCOS lose weight slower, have more plateaus, and then some lose "normally", and then others lose faster. I really think our bodies are just so werid they do what they want. I think the important thing to do is to consult our doctors and remember that we will lose the weight! I am trying not to expect certain things at certain times for fear of dissapointing myself. I am making a concerted effort to try and take things as they come and just enjoy the progress I am making. We shall see how that goes of course. Christal/dionysus_star 298/260.5/?Healthy