HAIR!!!

Before finding out i had PCOS i had about 4 months of laser hair removal on my chin and neck area. well now i know that it will not work with pcos i am in the process of getting the lapband. and wanted to know how some people have dealt with the excess hair. did the surgery help? any tips. thanks

I haven't tried laser removal, electrolysis or that Vaniqua cream.  But I have tried the Nair stuff...ick.  I've tried waxing...OUCH...and have decided that it's just easiest right now to shave it.  The surgery didn't help it go away...but it did help it from getting worse.  Good luck! Kristy

Hey there, I have PCOS and had laser hair removal too.  My hair removal was incredible - about 95% permanent hair loss. I'm scheduled for Lap Band on May 22nd and am hoping to start laser hair removal again in August - I think about 4 more treatments should do it.

oh my and to top it off i just saw ur post on here!! i have pcos and not only am i worried the dr will be hot im worried about my excess hair! i dont want a hot dr seeing my hairy ass!

I have PCOS, and although I didn't know what "it" was until about 12-13 years ago, I knew something was up, the extra facial/body hair had started in my mid to late teens, but no one really knew about that. I was misdiagnosed as something completely different until I went to a reproductive endocrinologist because I wanted to get pregnant, then she told me it was PCOS.

I had Lap-Band surgery 12/19 and have lost 40 pounds. Some have lost more, some less, but I am happy with my loss so far. The literature says weight gain makes PCOS worse, and having PCOS makes losing weight harder. Great news, I'm sure.  I shave right now, and use Vaniqa.  Will do laser removal in the future when I have enough $$.  I have also been on spironolactone in the past and need to speak with my doctor about trying that again. Some ladies have had a lot of luck with that.

Good luck with everything. If you need to "talk," I'm usually on the Lap-Band forum since I only have a limited time to be on-line.

I've been thru 3 complete rounds of laser hair removal for hair in the same area...it is better, but as you said, with PCOS they can't promise you it won't come back.  Have thought about electrolysis, but haven't found the right fit with a salon that perfroms it. I do occassionly shave the area, but don't want to look like a man with a 5 o'clock shadow.  I also wonder if taking Biotin to prevent hair loss on my head will increase the hair growth on my neck and chin.  UGH! In the meantime, I am seeing a specialist about my PCOS and going to get treated with Metformin if everything turns out ok and he gives me some hope that it will curtail most of the hair loss...we will see.  I can't afford to keep getting laser hair removal..so many christmas and birthday gifts (i ask for money from my family) so I can get the laser... Good Luck, your weight loss my be slower than others due to the PCOS, mine is, but others' isn't.  Just concentrate on the positive, that you are losing weight, even if it is slower than I want it to be. Karen

I had 5 laser treatments and it never really helped.  I think it would need to something that goes on and on.. Good luck!

I have had 7 laser txs.  Lost 103 lbs from gastric bypass surgery but no the answer is no it did not stop the hair growth or slow it down... I take spironolactone, which you have to take for at least 6 - 8 mos before seeing any difference, but I got off of it for awhile... hair started growing again... immediately got back on it and also do Vaniqa.  I pluck and shave as well...