Damn PCOS!!!

So I'm having Lap Band surgery on May 22nd.  I casually decided (on my own) to go off of Metformin (too many tummy troubles) about a month ago. Since then I have gained 10lbs and now have very dark (black) spots (insulin resistance) under my arms.  WAH!!! Is this normal?  The weight gain?   I think I'll start back up immediately.

The weight gain is normal. I was perviously on Metformin sometime ago. Actually, I should still be taking it... I lost a total of 37ILS with the medication. I recently gained 10 but, it took me more then 1 year to gain that back. I am due to have the Lap Band next week. One thing I am doing now is eating right. And since I have taken a different perpective about food, I have lost 3 ILS. It's true that once you take Metformin your weight will drop again. How long have you been taking it? When I started I had a lot of tummy problems too. It took 3 months for them to go away.  Anywho, if you need support. I will be here. I can also share with you some of the things that I have found on how to reverse PCOS. In the past two years, I have reversed some of my symtoms through change in lifestyle. It is a never ending process. I decided to get WLS to assist me as a tool. Deeha

If you want to go back on it, ask your dr about the extended release metformin.... It was a godsend for me. the regular had a TON of tummy problems, rushes to bathrooms, etc... .once I moved to the ER, life was back to normal.

 I never lost any weight with it (unfortunately), but heard of alot of people who did.

Good luck!

Thanks. I'll ask about it. Question:  I see that you've already had WLS - has your doctor told you that at some point you will not need to be on Metformin?  I hear PCOS will no longer be a problem after WLS but my surgeon told me to stay on even after surgery....

I took metformin a couple of years before surgery, but, along with the tummy problems, it made my triglyceride levels go through the roof.  I was taken off of it and put on actos.  It kept my insulin level on an even keel.  I was kept on the med until 6 weeks post-op.  My PCP left a msg on my voicemail to stop it immediately, my levels were too LOW.  I haven't touched any insulin meds since then and the only PCOS symptoms I still have is the facial hair.  My cycle is as regular as could be, the cramping is "normal", fertility is not an issue since I had a tubal 11 yrs ago, and my bp and cholesterol are good.  Doc will keep me on cholesterol meds due to family history, but otherwise, PCOS is not affecting my life as it used to before surgery 2 years ago. Julie

Does having PCOS count as one of the medical problems they look at for a reason to have WLS??

Depends....my insurace doesn't count it as a co-morbid. But I heard every insurance is different.

My dr's used it for my approval. I just approved on Wednesday. It was stated that my weight gain was a result of my PCOS and now all my hormones are out of wack. If I did not get it taken care of there would be a lot worse problems that they would have to pay for. Sleep apnea is a result of my PCOS and that was listed as a reason. I hope that helps. My insurance company is Lumenos.

Hi, I'm new here. I too have PCOS and a many other list of medical issues. PCOS is not fun,but doesn't mean you can't have children.  AT 280lbs I got pregnant and gave birth to twins. Thanks to fertility (clomid) that my doctor had put me on.  So it takes a while but isnt inpossible. I saw you had Lumenos for insurance.  I have, Lumenos as well. I also have Hyponia/Apnea hypertension Stage 2 Diabtese Auto-immune system (wegener's granulomatosis) Fibromyalsia. All a large factor that I'm only 27 and have been on a yo-yo ride of weight loss. I've done Weigh****chers (twice) Atkins (1) South Beach (2) Xenical (current) Court Club (exer****) All to come back up to my high weight of 280lbs. I have 3 children however my weight limits me from doing much with them and my doctors think that Gastric bypass may be a good thing. However I would LOVE help on what do to to get Lumenos to consider it.  (We have met our bridge and HRA, and all out of pocket) Can you give me any advice? Thanks in advanced for anything. Marge Shipman (Tri-cities WA)