A couple of Q's for my PCOS sisters

Ok, I've been diagnosed with PCOS for about 1.5 years now. I definantly get this aggravating chin hair....its so bad that I shave it like every day. I'm over 100 lbs over weight (imagine that). My head hair has thinned out so bad in the last few years its scary, but what is AN. I feel so stupid for asking this question as I should know what it is, but I don't.  Oh and In 2006 I only had like 1 peroid that lasted 14 days heavy, in 2007 I had like 3, which 2 of them were a month apart. The last one I had was like early November 07. Is this normal? So with all this information I'm 26 years old, weight 267 lbs and is 5'4 and with PCOS......woohoo what a flippin combination...so which WLS would u guys recommend RNY or Lapband?

You have to do your own research and choose what procedure you think would work best for you.  Read pros and cons of both. My stats - started at 262 lbs - height 5'4"  Lapband Surgery was March 6 - 2007 (11 months ago).  Diagonsed with PCOS 7 or 8 years ago.  Always had irregular periods and other symptoms.  Didn't use any birth control for two years with husband and luckily got pregnant.  Had gestational diabetes when pregnant (not surprizing with the insulin resistence aspect of PCOS).  Periods have been normal since giving birth but DHEA's still testing very high.  With strict adherence to the lapband "rules" and only one "fill" till recently, I lost 105 lbs to date.  The feeling of restriction is enough to make me "stop" eating and manage portions much better.  If you eat too much or too fast, you will reguritate it.  I eat much smaller meals (like just an appetizer instead of 3 courses) and am totally satisifed. The lapband is easier for "lightweights" like us but the RNY has MUCH faster results.  Lapband is less invasive a procedure but requires commitment.  RNY is more invasive and requires a commitment of portion control in the beginning and supplements for life.  Weight regain is possible with both if follow-up care is lacking.

Good luck with your decision!

 

Hi!  Anyway, first off to answer your question about AN.  It stands for Acanthosis Nigricans which is the darkening of the skin on people with either diabetes or an insulin imbalance.  It is mostly found on the neck, elbows, underarms (axila), groin (inner hip area), hands, knees, ankles, 'bra line' and 'waist line'.  I had this when I was both insulin resistant and also later when that insulin resistance turned to diabetes.  Fortunately as I lost the weight and my insulin levels came into a normal range the AN went away. As for what surgery you should have...it's up to you.  Some women with PCOS do well with the lapband (like Leslie), others like me need the added malabsorption & sugar intolerance that the RNY has.  Your best bet is to carefully look at each surgery & decide for you.  Personally I'm very happy with my RNY choice.  You're about my size when I had surgery.  I was 27 when I had surgery and I'm 5'3 and was 254.  I'm 31 now (I'm 3.5 years post op) and weigh 145ish.  Keep in mind that with RNY the weight loss is much faster than with Lapband...but studies show that at the 2-3 year mark the weight loss is about the same. So...a little of me.  I have PCOS and was diagnosed about 8-9 years ago.  I also have the excess hair (still do) and shave it to manage it because waxing just hurts too much.  Anyway I was also infertile due to my PCOS.  I didn't cycle at all.  I went 3 years once without a period and after that I had to do Provera to induce some spotting.  I also went through 8 years of various fertility treatments before surgery in hopes of being a mom.  Anyway...after surgery I lost 100lb in 6 months and was at goal at 1 year.  At 16 months post op we didn't use birth control and I immediately got pregnant (was having regular 36-37 day cycles).  I had a healthy pregnancy & baby who's now 18 months old.  My diabetes went away & I'm also no longer insulin resistant.  I have regained a few lbs since reaching my goal weight...but only about 5lb...so not bad.  I'm working now at getting back in control. So...if you have more questions about RNY...let me know...I'd be happy to answer them!  Good luck making your decision! Kristy

I would sit down and talk to your doctors to see what would be the best fit for you... and that means looking at current blood tests etc...

From my blood tests and my reaction to the meds that treat PCOS... we knew that gastric bypass was the best for me because we knew that with just the loss of 5 pounds my hormone levels evened out... I'm down 80 pounds so far at 260 and my hormone lvls are completely normal, same with my A1C, and my other blood sugar tests....

I tried to go for Lap-band but was turned down by my insurance company... with your BMI my insurance company would also turn you down... so you also need to see what your insurance company will and won't do for you also...

Tea -

Trust me, I feel your pain. I'm one week out after RNY; a decision I made because it would provide me quicker results which would help my PCOS. I made that decision because my last cycle started on July 2nd, 2007 and did not end until yesterday. Bleeding every day, extremely heavy was not fun for me and I have been like this since I was 16 [I turned 28 on 02/04/08].

The surgery choice is a personal decision, though. Weigh out your options, get a goal weight and figure out what is best for your body.

Keep me posted!!

Do you have a problem eating when you're not even hungry?  If so, I'd vote for an RNY or DS b/c they're malabsorbative.  The lap band is only restrictive, and if you're addicted to food, you can easily eat your way around the band.  (milkshakes, etc.)  Of course, even an NRY of DS is no guarantee if you don't do your part, but there's more help built into the fact that those procedures are not going to allow your body to absorb all the calories you actually eat. My 2 cents.  :)