will facial hair stop after WLS?

I too am having laser done on my facial hair.  I had laser done 3 or 4 yrs. ago and had 11 treatments, but all it did was turn my dark hair white, so it wouldn't pick it up.  It didn't help me at all.  I started going to a place out of town, but they usually guarantee the hair loss, but it won't for me because of the white/gray hair.  They did tell me about something to use that is supposed to turn the hair follicles to a soft, light brown color, so that the laser will pick it up.  The stuff I'm using is called Meladine.  I just had my second laser treatment last week and I think the Meladine has  helped some, but I didn't always use it as much as I should have, since we were on vacation.  It is expensive ($60) for a 4-oz. bottle.  If someone has gray, coarse hair, like mine then it is supposed to be used 4-6 weeks before the treatment - 4-6 times in the morning and 4-6 times in the evening.  It's kind of a pain, but if it helps it will be worth it.  I think I heard that the hair can still fall out up to 3 weeks after each treatment.  I do feel that some of mine is gone this time.  I hadn't used it before the 1st treatment.  I live in Indiana, but the laser company I'm going to is all over - it's called American Laser Centers.  They don't sell the Meladine, but I was able to get it from a dermatologist that has an office in the same building.    Just thought I'd mention that in case anyone has the problem with either the "light" or "gray" hair. I'm glad to hear that the laser is helping yours and hopefully I'll have the same results soon.  I've had this facial hair for WAY too long!!! Candy

I've also had problems with laser not picking up my gray.  The laser has picked up most of my hair and the ones that are gray I'm having electrolisys done to get rid of them.  So far I've had success with the combination.  I've had 11 laser treatments and 4 electrolisys treatments (within the last year).  I would crawl back to them if I had to, I will never go back to the way I was before laser or WLS!!!!!!   

So far, nothing has helped mine.  I think that almost all of mine turned gray.  After using the Meladine I think that maybe a small portion of mine might be gone.  This was only the first treatment after using the Meladine.  I had electrolisys years ago, but I had so much hair that it was taking forever and I finally quit going.  I couldn't even tell where she had done the treatments.   I had WLS (VBG) 10 years ago and lost most of the weight I'd planned on losing, but still didn't lose the hair unfortunately.  It's really coarse, but they say that is a plus.  I've never actually been tested for PCOS, but I have had alot of the symptoms and everytime I've asked a doctor (PCP, gynecologist, etc.), they all think that I do have it, but nobody has ever done tests.   About 5 yrs. ago I had to have a vaginal ultrasound and I had cysts.  The next time they did it they were gone.  But I have alot of problems with pain around my ovaries, so I'm sure that I have cysts quite often.   I'm hoping to have RNY surgery in the next couple of months.  I had to do alot of stuff for my insurance for 6 months, but I have completed it and am waiting for the psychologist to get the report sent in.   Do you know, if after menopause that you can still have PCOS?  I have gone through menopause. I thought that I read awhile back that you can still have it even after menopause.  I'm like you....if I ever get rid of this hair, I don't ever want to have it again.  The Laser Center that I'm going through has a 2 yr guarantee, so if I do get rid of the hair and get any back they will get rid of it at no extra cost.

I'm sorry you're having a hard time with your hair.  I have a lot of gray but the electrolisys has been doing great at getting them.  Mine are also coarse and I've been told it's easier to get the coarse hairs because they're easier for the light to follow to the root.  Hopefully the clinic you're going to now will have some good results.   Your symptoms sound like you have PCOS but I can't believe a doctor hasn't checked and run bloodwork to make sure.  There are a lot of syndromes out there that have similar symptoms and they need to know to know what medications to go with... hummmmmmmmm... I dunno about these docs sometimes... ugh!  I had a total hysterectomy 2 1/2 years ago because of complications from PCOS.  My GYN told me that the symptoms of PCOS (hair and weight gain) still occur even after the hysterectomy and she was right.  I don't have the cycst problems, but still have weight gain issues and hair issues, I'm fighting both tooth and nail!  My RNY was a wonderful tool for the weight control, I have gained 28lbs back but now I'm back on track and loosing again - thank GOD!  My hair is being taken care of with laser/electrolisys and so far so good, but it's only been a year and I'm still having treatments.  Time will tell on that but I can go for a good week with just a little fuzz (like a "normal" person) and no coarse hair so I'm happy with that!  The only time I shave now is if I have an interview (last week I had one) and if I start feeling the coarse ones.   It's cool that your laser center has a 2 year guarantee, I'll have to check into that with mine... lol! 

Good luck, keep me posted on your progress!!!!!!!!!  

 

I don't know about the docs either.  I had trouble getting pregnant years ago also, which is a definite sign of PCOS.  I had to have all kinds of tests then.  My OB-GYN back then told me that I had alot of testosterone, which was probably why I had trouble getting pregnant.  That might have been the same thing as PCOS, but maybe they didn't know much about it then.  My oldest son is 29-1/2 and I'd been trying to get pregnant for 3 or 4 years before I actually did.  It took me another 2 yrs. to get pregnant with my other son who is 26-1/2.  I had them a day apart (April 24th & 25th).  My husband calls them our twins that were 3 yrs. and 1 day apart.  LOL   I also have diabetes, which is another symptom, plus the hair and weight problems. I know what you mean about the weight gain.  I have only gained about half of my weight back since I had VBG surgery 10 yrs. ago.  That's not bad, but I was about 13 lbs. from my goal which was 145 lbs., but I actually wanted to get to 130 lbs.  They wanted me to set a higher goal and then a lower goal, so it wouldn't seem like so much weight to lose at one time.  I finished all my stuff for my insurance, now waiting on the Psychologist to turn in my report.  Hopefully they'll approve me.  Most of the people who have MPlan Insurance have gotten approved after going through the 6 month program and the Psychologist recommending it.  She said that she will.  I'm supposed to call her next week and see if she's gotten the report done.  Nobody can seem to hurry her any.  She's out of town now until this Fri.   MPlan is getting out of the group insurance business at the end of the year though, so there are at least 13 of us trying to get it done before our insurance runs out and we have to go back to Anthem or something else. 

My laser center does guarantee hair removal, but they wouldn't guarantee mine.  If the Meladine works,  and I do lose the hair, then they will guarantee the 2 yrs. after.  I do think that I lost some of it with this treatment so far.  There are some places that I don't feel any hair now.  I think that if it's working they'll do more than the 6 treatments that I originally signed up for if they need to.  The first treatment I didn't have the Meladine yet.   Let me know how your progressing also - with the hair and the weight loss.

Yeah sounds like all the symptoms of PCOS alright, I'd still go to a specialist just to have the tests run and get on some meds, they do help some.  I was never able to carry a baby full term, I got pregnant 3 times but each time I had miscarriages before I even knew I was pregnant.  I think the furthest along I got was around 9 weeks.  Then when I was 42 years old Aunt Flo came to visit and stayed for 7 weeks, nothing could stop it.  So I ended up having my hysterectomy.  That was great in one way but not so great in another.  Now I'm on Premrin because I had no control over hotflashes or mood swings (I was never a moody person, but whew did they swing after my hysterectomy!).  I don't have a problem being on Premrin but the weight gain is killing me.  I worked so hard to get it off and now I have no control at all.  I am starting the 5-day pouch test tomorrow morning and hopefully that will jump start me loosing again (I have lost 3 lbs this past 10 days but that has been a struggle!).  I'm glad you're able to have a revision (if that's what it's called), I talked with Dr. McDonald about having one and we did tests but he said mine is fine and I just need to start using my tool again to get under control.  Ok, well keep in touch...  Work is getting busy, take care!!!

I had no idea this forum exisited. I always post on the main forum. I'm so glad I found this and to know I am not alone! I have a pretty bad case of facial hair. I started laser hair removal about 2 years ago. Pretty expensive but WORTH every penny. Mine was so bad i was having to shave my face everyday :(  I kept a razor in my purse all the time just in case! I now only have to go for laser hair removal about every 5 months and it's only 75.00 each time now. During those 5 months I'm as smooth as a baby's bottom. Unfortunately for me, laser removal is not permanent but it's still worth it.  My first treatment was about 1600.00 then the 2nd was half 800.00 3rd one 400.00 4th one 200.00 and from now until I die it will be 75.00.