Anyone with PCOS reach goal quickly or even at all?

Hey Ladies, I am so excited to have found this message board because I didn't realize soooo many people suffer with PCOS. I was only recently diagnosed, and although my specialist told me that it was probably the main contributor to my obesity, I kinda blew it off. I don't know what's worst: believing that I can't lose weight because I don't have enough will power or believing that I can't lose weight because of some genetic factor. No matter how I slice it, losing weight has always been an uphill, frustrating battle. Anyhow, I've been considering WLS for years now, but I only seriously began to investigate it in January 2006. I finally made the decision to go for it, and I thought that this surgery would negate any of the PCOS obstacles outside my control. I was soooo excited that maybe I wouldn't have to work soooo hard to lose weight anymore. And, now, with my surgery only 5 days away, I'm completely bummed out. I'm reading my worst nightmare. I'm reading stories of WLS patients with PCOS doing everything their supposed to do, but they're still NOT losing weight. That has been the story of my life without surgery. I'm wondering if getting surgery is even worth it. I know that I can't lose 75 pounds on my own. But, what's the use in getting such a drastic procedure done if I'll eventually stall, get frustrated and probably return to the emotional eating that compounds the problem in the first place. I'm still going through with surgery, but I'm hoping that not every PCOS sufferer has had such bleak results. Has anyone with PCOS had an easy time with WLS? Also, I still haven't found an angel for my surgery. Anyone want to volunteer?

Ranessa, I have PCOS and I had my RNY on 5-24-06. In four months I have lost almost 75 lbs. I already have lost 50% of my excess weight. My Doctor said I am ahead of the curve, so I have not had any issues with losing the weight. I also check the May 2006 Surgery Date board, and I have lost just as much (if not a little more) as the other members of the board. My PCP did put me back on Metformin and Byetta for my PCOS, and I have not seen a decrease in weight loss (it actually helped me lose more the past couple of weeks since I have been back on them). I hope that your nerves about WLS are eased. It was the best decision that I ever made. Just in four months, my before and after pictures look like I have just "melted away". Good luck to you, if you have any questions or concerns that I can help you with, just e-mail me and I will try my best to help!!! Danice

Take heart! I too have PCOS and endometriosis to boot. I had my surgery on 10/4/05 and am now down 140pounds. Unfortunately the PCOS is still evident in my hair growth, but it would probably be better if I kept taking my metformin (I gave it up 4 days before surgery per dr order- I just haven't gotten around to the re-evaluation as the Army is kinda stupid about that kinda thing) Good luck to you!! Raven

Hello, I have suffered the same frustrating "weight loss battles" due to having pcos. I had my surgery on 10-24-05. With my pre-surgery 10% weight loss I have lost to date 151 pounds. My periods are like clock work now, something I never experienced in my entire life, I'm 38. WLS was the BEST decision by far that I have ever made for my health. I never thought I would ever get on the scale and see my weight below 200lbs...ever! I will say, that excercise is VERY important, start as early as your doctors will release you. My surgeon recommended that we start walking for excercise ASAP, which I did. Then I joined a gym and this coming Tuesday I'm going to be working with a personal trainer to tighten up things that jiggle that shouldn't...I don't regret having the surgery in any way. I'm thankful that this tool was available to me because with PCOS there is NO way I would be where I am today. Blessings, Margo...

Hi Ranessa, I had my surgery in December of 2004 and I have lost 179lbs. I now weigh 132 and started at 311. So you can lose weight. Just stick to what your doctor tells you to do. There will be times when you will stall, but that happens to everyone your body needs to catch up. I found for myself that when the scale wasn't moving I was still losing inches. It is very frustrating, but it was definitely worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat. The best advice I can offer you is to not compare your weight loss to anyone else, because everyone is different. Also do not weigh yourself every day it is too frustrating. Also if you do make a mistake by eating something you shouldn't don't beat yourself up, one of things I noticed from my own experience from previous diets is that I would be doing good on the diet and then I would cheat and I would be so mad at myself and quit the diet. Forgive yourself we are human and we all make mistakes. Sorry to ramble but it is not true that if you have PCOS you can't lose the weight because I did. So good luck with your surgery and you will be in my prayers. Lots of hugs Peggy

I too have PCOS and loosing weight had been an uphill battle for as long as I can remember. I had surgery on 8/3/04 and lost 100 lbs in 6 months. Of course then I was pretty close to goal so my weight loss slowed down and I lost another 14 lbs in the next 6 months putting me at my surgeons goal weight of 140 lbs at 1 year post op. Then at 16 months post op I got pregnant without any medical help (something that we've been trying for for nearly 10 years) and on 7/31/06 I delivered a healthy baby girl. Now I'm working on loosing my baby weight and at first I was afraid that PCOS would rear it's ugly head and it wouldn't come off. But my first week watching what I put in my mouth I lost 3.5 lbs so there is proof that at after 2 years post op my tool still works. Have you been to www.soulcysters.com ? It's an awesome support website for women with PCOS. I have a thread on there under the Diet & Exercise forum titled WLS DIVAS and right now we're on the October 2006 thread. If you like check it out. Here's the link to it: http://www.soulcysters.net/wls-divas-october-2006-a-187178/index8.html Good luck! Kristy DD - Alice Kay 7/31/06 (My miracle baby!)

I started out at 284 lbs and had just about every symptom of PCOS there is (along with 15 years of TRYING to get pregnant with no luck). Bam. Feb 2005 I had gastric bypass (RNY) and my goal was 155 (I am 5'9" tall). I got down to 152 so I reached my goal and then some I also got pregnant! Due in April and life couldn't be sweeter. Kia