Hi there!

I got PCOS too. I saw your post and decided to stop over to answer your questions. 

First, PCOS is the ****s. Most people wonder what we did to gain so much weight so fast. It really IS hormones. Except when we say this as "fat patients" our docs/society don't believe us. After I had RNY I lost so much weight so quickly and my endocrinologist was applauding me. I had to burst her bubble, I was following the same diet as before (low carb/no carb) and exercising (tae bo!) as before. The only differences were a) the amount food consumed (i.e. 1/2 cup) and  b) the anatomical change of the surgery.  I asked her what she thought about that, and her answer-HOROMONES!!!

So-I guess docs are the only ones that can pull the "hormone card."  Jerks.

None of the surgeries will reverse PCOS.  That is with us forever. It is a brain chemistry thing (luteinizing hormone to follicle stimulating hormone). We can take metformin to alter our response to carbs and insulin.  I tried metformin before surgery, lost 20 lbs and then it just stayed there.  After surgery, and maintaining my low/no carb diet, my A1C is 4.8, so the endocrinologist will NOT give me metformin. 

So I initially wanted DS. The surgeon, my independent nurse pracitioner, and my independent endocrinologist did not think DS was the best option due to toilet issues.  The NP literally said, "Many patients who have DS generally know where every toilet within a 5 mile radius is, for when they go out."  I couldnt live my life that way. It may be rare, but I dont want explosive diaherria (sp).

In the end, I picked RNY.  I wish I would have had WLS 10 years sooner.  For the first time ever, I can actually lose weight on a diet.  Normally, I would diet and exercise hard and stay the same (or worse..gain).  I gained a lot following the plan on Weigh****chers. Their plan was too carb heavy for me.

I went into surgery at 270.  I am about to start my 9th month post op on Sept. 1.  I have lost 95 lbs!  I was 174.8 this morning, but I am going to wait a day or two before I change my ticker.

Here is what I observed as a PCOS'er having RNY.

I could lose 3 lbs a day in the first two weeks post op.

I lost over 3 lbs per week over the first 6 months.

The weight loss has slowed down in months 6+. Some weeks I stall. Sometimes it is the time of Month and sometimes it is because I let myself eat carbs (like crackers, a fold over sandwich instead of a lettuce wrap).

I got lazer hair removal and the hair isnt growing back. Seriously, I had a treasure trail and a mustache. No kidding.

The weird brown skin that is velvety in texture between my thighs (from excess insulin), is going away and is being replaced by new normal skin. 

My painful inner thigh breakouts/boils/ingrown hairs have gone away or have been reduced from 3-5 around the time of my cycle  to none or may be one every once in awhile.  

I now wear a Ralph Lauren size 12 dress. Preop I was a size 28-32W.

Don't hesitate on the surgery. It was the only thing that worked for me. I think your toughest decision is going to be a) RNY or b) DS.

But remember, as a PCOS'er, we dont get to let up. EVER.  If we get into too many carbs, the weight that we worked so hard to take off post-surgery WILL fly back on.   I know. I have experimented with myself and my diet.

Good luck.

You have a friend in me.

Thank u so much that helps encourage me that i am indeed moving in the right direction

SkinnyScientist, oh my goodness!!! Everything you have written pertains to me!!! I too am a sufferer of a PCOS along with insulin resistance syndrome, and have tried everything from weigh****chers to Atkins while exercising my little heart out. All to no avail. No matter how hard I work, the weight will not budge. In fact, I often actually GAIN weight when exercising and dieting! The cystic acne , the chin hairs, the thinning of the hair on my head, the weird "apple" shape and all the unnatural roundness in the middle, etc is enough to drive any sane person insane. I had the lap band and lost a lot of weight with it, but it developed a leak and hasn't been filled in nearly 6 years. It has been so nice to be able to eat normal foods again such as vegetables, apples and meat that isn't ground, oh and COLD water lol. My doc wants me to consider a revision from band to sleeve. Before now, I have been completely against it and so very afraid of going through EVERYTHING all over again. However, since joining this site, I am starting to re-think my thinking on this, as I realize that no matter how long and hard I try, I will simply not be successful in losing weight and maintaining weight loss on my own. Losing 20-30 pounds today and regaining it tomorrow is no way to live. I'm so tired of constantly struggling with my weight. Wls is NOT the easy way out. It is a drastic and difficult decision to come to. Thank you for this post. I needed to read this! 

I just got my approval (like yesterday LOL), but I had many of the same concerns - especially the whole "well, if I have to eat like this the rest of my life .... do I really need surgery?".

I've also got PCOS and realize it's not that easy. I suffered with infertility for 2 years before I finally got pregnant, and that was only after losing almost 80lbs. How did I do it? Counted calories and worked out at least 10 hours per week. After I gave birth and couldn't go back to that (baby + starting work FT at 6mo) I gained the weight back and then some. I spent the next 2 years after that going through the same cycle until I finally carved out the time and energy to drastically change my eating habits and workout / run 6-7 days a week. Again, got knocked up successfully but then after the baby was born I barely had the energy to keep both kids fed - never mind exercising. 11 months later, I still weigh more than I did when I got pregnant, though I'm getting closer as I'm losing the weight my surgeon wants me to.

The reality is that, without help from surgery (i.e. the restriction and malabsorbtion), I will be on this roller coaster ride for the rest of my life. I need an additional tool, aside from diet and exercise, that's going to help keep me accountable and help make it so that dieting and exercise don't have to consume my entire life. I'll be able to lose weight and exercise like a 'normal' person (hopefully) and instead of 10+ hours a week I may be able to get away with 5 or less at some time in the foreseeable future.

It's still a terrifying decision, and now that I've got an actual surgery date I'm even more scared but I know that this is something I need. I've been battling my weight since 1st grade and it's going to take drastic measure and serious changes, both mental and physical, to get me to a healthier place in life.

I also feel like the DS is probably the perfect surgery for PCOSers since we're predisposed to insulin issues. The diet that's required (high fat, low carb) is almost perfect for helping us get our bodies under control. 

Good luck and I hope your process goes quickly!

If u don't mind me asking how much do you with n how tall are u?

Im considered a light weight n that's why i am concerned im preparing all these speeches in my mind for the drs lol

Not a lightweight - my BMI is currently hovering around 49, I think. That said, you may have a harder time with insurance than a surgeon who's got experience with DS. I know I've seen some insurance companies have a BMI requirement for DS (don't think mine - BCBS - did, but I'm pretty sure I've seen it mentioned in my months of lurking around on WLS boards).

Thank u everyone for ur responses i am having a lil tough time getting someone that will accept my insurance that isn't hours away and who is someone i trust and who will do the ds...and someone who has EXPERIENCE in the ds not just does it. Also to comment on that other post of dsers always needing to know where bathrooms are within a 5 mile radius that is NOT true. If you do you research you will hear forest hand from actual people who have gotten the ds surgery and will tell you they actually have problems with constipation!!

I was in a similar situation with my insurance in that I needed outside factors to prove that I needed this surgery. So I went thru the whole sleep study and found out that I indeed did have mild sleep apnea. So that along with high cholesterol was enough for approval.  I would definitely check it out.

My pcos was cured with the ds.... I have never felt so good in all my life... Happy healthy and at goal! Good luck my friend... This ds is the real deal... Changed my life!