New here and searching for options and answers

Hello,
I am new to this site and for one am very pleased to have found people with similar situations. Before I go into the question part, Here is a little background on me My name is Nikki and I am 26. I live in Michigan with my Hubby and Step son, both of whom are awesome. I have, since puberty been plus size, and a little more on the furry side. Both of these my mother chalked up to heritage. The interesting thing was none of my sisters looked like me. from Jr high into high school I stayed active and though had a very high stress level (Parents divorced among other things) maintained a pretty positive outlook on life. I always ate well and was constantly active, but always remained overweight. In 2000 I graduated High School in a size 22/24.  In 2003 I saw an endocrine who was a real jerk, I had read about insulin resistance and thought what the hell, went to his office and he looked me up and down and made a fantastic comment about how people tend to think there is something medically wrong when it's just will power and dicipline..... I was pissed. He came back at the next visit and stated not only was I insulin resistant, but he wanted me to check with my gyn about something called PCOS. which I did ( and no, I did not go back to the Endocrine)

Long story short, I was diagnosed in early 2004 (same year I was married), coming off of Birth control to re start my system was harder than we thought it would be, in Jan I had a D&C, and restarted my periods on their own! I have been battling my weight aggressively for the past 15 years, but as of last year, I took a downhill slide. In April my only niece was killed at age 5, we were more mother daughter than aunt and niece. It devasted my family, and almost killed me. I am still going through the begining stages of the grief, although a year has passed. In this time I gained well over 100lbs, quickly, not because I was eating poorly or with out excercise, but because I haden't been sleeping and I went from eating several times to just once or twice and burning twice as much energy. I am constantly active, I actually just tested and received my Black Belt and train at the gym 4 times a week on top of other regular activities. I don't appear as large as my scale would have me believe, but I have noticed I am slowing down, physically and mentally.

I have tried getting back into my regular regime, but to no avail, after really taking a look at where my life is headed, and talking with my most trusted friends and family, I have decided that I am going to look into WLS. This is where this board comes into play: I know that WLS is not an automatic fix and am willing to put in the work and discipline needed, but don't know what direction to go.

 I have done some research and came across the Lap Band and natually the Gastric Bypass, I am looking for info on other avenues as well, or any other advice that will help me get to my goal, I look forward to your feedback and Thank you for your time!!!

Nikki

I had gastric bypass just over a year ago and it's been such a blessing.  I've lost over 120 lbs and I'm down from a size 30 to an 18! I haven't been an 18 since 10th grade!

I've struggled a bit losing weight and found out today that I'm still insulin resistant.  That being said, my blood sugars are fantastic, as is all of my other blood levels.

PCOS overall sucks, but  I have definitely had an improvement.  Good luck on your journey! :-D

HI,

Check out www.duodenal switch.com for inofrmation about the duodenal switch.

Duodenal switch is a great surgery option for those with PCOS because it provides malabsortion of calories long term to combat our bodies desire to pack on the pounds.

The info on Obseityhelp.com about the duodenal switch is not correct so please don't even bother reading it. They list side effects as common that less then 10% of DS patients have.

If you have any question please feel free to contact me,

Good luck

catnip

Nikki,

I have literally been to 1/2 a dozen doctors for PCOS and everyone of them says  "Lose weight"
I have lost weight the same 30# over and over and over and..... well you get the picture.  PCOS makes weight loss more difficult but it also makes keeping it off long term even more difficult.  I had bad experiences with an endocrinologist but the last one I saw definately sympathized with me and encouraged WLS for me.  It took me 2 years to decide and several health issues later my surgery is scheduled and I know I won't regret it.  I think it would be good for you to reseach the different surgery choices and figure out which one is best.  Good luck on your journey you need to take care of yourself - this has been the hardest lesson for me to learn.  Depression is a constant battle for many on OH and for different reasons I hope you find comfort and strength from the support- I know I have

Well it sounds like you have the determination to be successful at WLS no matter which one you decide on.  For me it was the RNY.  I admit that I have a sweet tooth and needed the potential of dumping to help keep me in line and it's worked.  I do dump off of sugar and because of this it's helped me maintain my weight loss at 4 years post op.  I'm very happy with my decision.

My RNY has helped my IR/diabetes, fertility & other pcos issues.  My IR/Diabetes was cured in days after surgery and my endocrinologist declared my diabetes officially cured 6 months after surgery.  My fertility returned as well.  After 8+ years of failed fertility treatments we've been able to concieve naturally 2x both on the 1st month trying.  My sleep apnea is gone and although my high blood pressure did go away it did return at 2y 3m post op.  However it's very easily controlled now. 

Good luck and if you have more questions I'd be happy to answer as best I can.

Hi Nikki! Nice ta meet'cha : ) I can relate to the overweight since puberty thing, as i'm sure all of us can...and was about the same size when i graduated high school in 1999. I used to be so active too! Dancing, and stuff at school, even taking lotus classes (and congrats on your belt!)
I think you're doing the right thing by looking into WLS. There is no known cure for PCOS, but it is a fact ( i have a medical text on my profile page) that losing weight and keeping it off, does reduce the symtpoms of PCOS. So, with WLS you can't go wrong!
I put a lot more info on my page...about the DS and the RNY, no lap band, if you want to take a look.
I hope you find what you're looking for!

Melissa