Slower Weightloss due to PCOS??

Hello, I'm new to this board.  I was diagnosed about 3 years ago with PCOS.  I have been overweight for as long as I can remember.  I tried everything under the sun to loose weight and always had to work really hard to loose just a little bit of weight, once I gave up I would gain back everything I had lost times two.  My OB/GYN said that the PCOS contributed to this and she is actually the one that suggested that I look into WLS.  I had gastric bypass on 7/2/08, I've lost 70 pounds so far but 20 of that was in the first two weeks (due to lactose issues I had to stay on a clear liquid diet).  Since then the weightloss has been a lot slower.  I am just over 5 months out and still lack at least 5-10 pounds before I'm even half way to my goal.  I know that things slow down a lot after 6 months so I am scared to death that  I won't get any where close to my goal.  Could it be the PCOS that is making my weightloss so much slower? 

Thanks!!
Christina

I have not heard anything about this. I know some doctors prefer one surgery over another for those with PCOS.

I would not blame PCOS for the rate of weight loss.  Remember that how fast you loose is individual, no one looses at the same rate.  Personally I think that 70lb in 5 months is great!  Honestly, when was the last time you lost 70lb in 5 months?  If you are that concerned about the PCOS slowing your weight loss have your doc run a fasting insulin level to see if you're insulin resistant or not.  IF you are, maybe adding Metformin could aide in weight loss. 

Regardless I think you're doing great.  Have you taken measurements?  I remember in the loosing stages for me when it seemed like the pounds were going no where I ended up loosing inches instead.  Also remember too that from time to time you're weight loss will stall as your body needs time to 'readjust' and start loosing again.  Just keep up on your exercise, protein & water and you'll be fine.  Good luck and don't give up!

Kristy

Yes, I have heard that PCOS does make weight loss slower.  My endocrinologist has told me this, and he has told me that the only way to lose weight is to cut out carbs completely.  I think that this has something to do with Insulin Resistance and PCOS.  When I was first diagnosed, he put me on Metformin, and it actually caused me to GAIN weight.  I gained 40lbs in 3 mo!  It was ridiculous. 
I think 70lbs is amazing.  I'm sure you're frusterated, but look at the bigger picture.  Where will you be in 1 year?  2?   And how fast will that time go by?   You're doing great, try not to beat yourself up. 

I have lost slow too but that is directly because of the carbs. people with pcos can not eat a diet with many carbs at all. veggies and some fruit is ok but no bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, other starchy veggies, sugar, cakes, cookies none of that. also lifting weights helps. i can not accept my limitations so i am suffering the consequences. hopefully one day i will wake up

Hi,

I'm new here too!  I'm 46 and was dx'd with PCOS when I was 18.  I went through allot of crap because of it, ultimately I was never able to  have kids...

Anyways,  I had RNY 11/15/07, I've lost 111 lbs, I started out at 302 and am now at 191.  I've added alcohol and carbs back when my loss slowed waaaaaaaaaaaay down at about my 7th month.  But don't despair,  since then I've lost well over 25 lbs, you can do it.  Don't let PCOS be your crutch, I'm trying not to think about it.......I had RNY, others without PCOS had the same surg.  I've lost more than some and less than some.  YOU can do this, just stick with the rules, you'll get there!

Good luck,
Edie

Thank you everyone for your responses and encouragement.  It is helpful just to know I not the only one.  I will definitely work on cutting out the carbs.  I had an appointment with my GYN today and it looks like I'm heading for hysterectomy (PCOS is only part of my problem).  So I will now have to work extra hard to get the rest of the weight off.

I am having issues with the weight loss after surgery... for a while my surgeon and OBGYN thought that it was the BC I was on... but I have been off all BC for 5 months and I have only lost 5 pounds during that time... go to the gym all the time and have a trainer to help shake things up... eat according to my nut's plan etc... the only thing we can come up with is the PCOS... so after Christmas they are going to have me go on a clear liquid diet for a few days to shock my system to see if that will do anything... we also do blood tests every 3 months testing everything PCOS wise and WLS wise as well and all of that is coming back normal... but it doesn't mean a fliar up from time to time between testing...

Good luck hun... and don't let it get ya down... oh yeah... only having 2 to 3 carbs for the day (15g is a serving) seems to help the weight loss... I count in the carbs from milk, fruits, veggies, etc...

I think you are doing great with your weight loss. I have PCOS as well, but I have lost 66lbs since surgery.  I think it is more a matter of all of us just losing at different rates.  Just keep sticking to you rules and you will keep losing weight.

my pco was diagnosed arund 96, but had no luck losing weight long term till my bypass in february since then i have lost 190 pounds between feb and september, then suddenly a stall, and then horror of horrors i started to gain back... ok so it was 9 pounds but it was worrying me.  I had been mostly no carbs for all of that, but as depression started to kick back in, it became harder and i was eating them off and on.

In the mean time my cycle had been going nuts since the weight loss, id been diagnosed with fibroid tumors,  The b/c pills didnt work so after my well woman was delayed 4 months from bleeding i finally went in for the consult i had been hoping for and dreading.  I had wanted a hysterectomy for years, but on dec 12 i finally had one (im 41, no kids, been single 8 years, so it was good and bad at the same time)  Its barely 2 weeks later, ive lost the 9 pounds i had gained and 3 more, and ive not even tried to cut out carbs yet.  I am pretty excited, and im not suggesting it for everyone, but i am thinking for me its a blessing.

I am gonna make another post asking a others about pco post hysterectomy and wls