Obesity + Infertility

Hi! My name is Ana and first time here.
I've been overweight for 10 years.  And trying to get pregnant since them. I have PCOS and my husband has low sperm count. He had a surgery about 4 years ago. This is all because we are overweight
I did 5 cycles of IVF on the last 7 years with no success. Now my Dr. has giving up on me. He wants to send me to Montreal-Canada. 
I was hoping to find someone in here that has done a bariatric  bypass due to a infertility.
I have try to lose weight and the end results are always me gaining more pounds after all.
My Dr. thinks that if I loose weight that would  improve my chances of become  pregnant. 
I also wants to know if some has surgery done with NHP health Plan.
Thanks!

Ana,

Hello and welcome!

Obesity does contibute toward infertility.  Losing weight definatley would improve your chances of conceiving, however if you choose to have WLS, I believe it is strongly suggested to wait at least 2 years post op to even try to conceive.

I see you are in Newton.  Have you consulted with Newton Wellesley Hospital? 

Hi Ana-
We're neighbors!  I also live in Newton...Anyway, I also chose to have RNY due to PCOS.  Although I am not physically trying to have a baby at this moment, I did have the surgery to reduce my need to have fertility treatments when I am ready to take that step.  A woman in my support group who also had PCOS is now expecting a baby after losing ~130lbs from the surgery.  She just got pregnant...didn't need any help after years of unsuccessful tries.  There's hope for sure!

As far as fertility specialists, when I was diagnosed with PCOS, my GYN sent me to Newton-Wellesley hospital where I saw Dr. Mark Hornstein...He was excellent!  I'm assuming he is still there or at the Brigham.  Good luck to you!

 Hello!
Thanks you both for the replay.

I haven't seen any obesity doctors yet. I had a Miscarriage ( first time preg. through IVF)  a 2 weeks ago and just decide to go for surgery, I don't want to go trough all that again.

I am going to see my PCP in october even though I don't need a referral, but I don't know any Obesity Doctor, and also my husband decide to do the surgery. He is also very overweigh but he was afraid. We want to see the same doctor, but I have NHP health plan trough my work and he has Harvard Pilgrim and he does need a referral.

Discovery02466 you said that you did RNY due to PCOS. How heavy wore you at the time of your surgery? Did you have any problems with your insurance?
I am really concern about my insurance. I am afraid that they going to denied my surgery since my BMI is 37.9. 

Sorry for all the questions but I really don't know nothing about it yet.

Thanks

I have Harvard Pilgrim, and I had no problem being approved.  My BMI was 40 (just made it) !  I went to Brigham & Women's and had Dr. Lautz, who was great.  You can still be approved with the lower BMI if you have other conditions.  The best way to find out is to make an appointment with a surgeon (for initial consultation).  I would advise doing that right away, as most seem to be booked months in advance.  (You can always cancel if you change your mind, or want a different surgeon.  Then, attend as many orientations as you can -- most hospitals that do wls have regularly scheduled introductory informational meetings for people who are interested.  You can learn a lot and also get a feel for different hospitals and their programs.  Good Luck!

I agree with Rockysmom and I would only add that you call your insurance company and find out what exactly they cover and what their criteria are.

I also have PCOS but after years and years of treatment I have two daughters (11 y.o. and 3 y.o.)  I am now going to have RNY to help with the weight issue and to reduce the my chances of developing the comorbidities that PCOS brings with it.

Best of luck to you!

 Thanks again. 

Every time I go on the computer I check to see if somebody wrote to me.

I'm sorry I got myself confuse, my husband used to have harvard pilgrim now he has Blue Cross Through his employer  and I have Neighborhood health plan.
I'm not concern about my husband been approved but me. His BMI is 49 and I am 37.9.

Do you guys thing that I should first try to gain some weight before seen a Doctor? Should I even hide my actual weight from my PCP? Is she going to be a Obstacle even if I don't need a referral?

And have anyone been approved with  Neighborhood health plan?

I'm so confuse.

I am not familiar with NHP but maybe you could get onto your husband's BC/BS.  They will approve you with a BMI of I *think* 35 if you have comorbidities like high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, all three of which are linked with PCOS.  If your PCP is going to be an obstacle, I'd find a new PCP.

Hi
I am having lap band done soon.  I am doing all of my pre-op stuff now.  My main reason is to get pregnant on my own.  i have one son who is the product of IVF #1, i have since done 3 failed cycles.  I also have pcos, and dh has low count, morph, and motil.  we are double-damned!  lol
My dr. only accepts blue cross, harvard and i think tufts.  Dr. Adam Glasglow in norwood. 
BTW, where did you do your IVF's?  i did the brigham...but i left after my last failed cycles with very bitter feelings towards them.

 Hi I did my IVFs at Boston IVF. But it did not work, 5 cycles. I am going to second opinions and was thinking maybe to look for a doctor at brigham too. 
 I am really looking forward to this surgery, maybe I don't need to go to Canada and spend the money that I don't have.