The un-informed with a (probably) stupid question...

I am about as uninformed as they come about this right now, so please don't flame me.   I (and my sister) were wondering if I have pecos (which I do) why they can't just do a hysterectomy or something similar and rectify it?? 

I'm just beginning my research on this and will appreciate kind information.  I am hopeing to have the DS not too long from now.  I'm pretty sure WL will be a good thing for this. 

I rarely have a period and have quite abit of facial hair (heck, I'm hairy all over).  I've had dr.s look at my forearms and ask if I've been tested for hirismu (sp?).  I have, it's negative.

Anyway how does pecos affect your weight loss after WLS?

Most doctors wont do a hysterectomy unless other treatments arent working. What treatments have you had fr your PCOS?

With weight loss some of your issues from your PCOS may correct themselves. I am almost 4 months out from my surgery and hve lost 93 lbs from my highest weight. My periods are almost normal. I have had 3 cycles since my surgery. I dont have issues with hair growth, so I dont have any insight for you on that one.

Some with PCOS have found that the weight after WLS doesnt come off as quickly, but others have not found that to be the case.

I too have PCOS and am "hairy" as well.  I wanted a hysterectomy when I found out that would help with the hair growth and such but was told that due to my age ( I was 20 ) at the time that they would not give me one due to liability reasons ( wanting children in the future if able to ). Well here I am 31 and no kids!  I did not have a problem with dropping the weight after my surgery, and the hair growth has slowed, don't know if its due to the weight  or the MANY laser hair removal sessions!!  I think that everyone after the surgery is different with weight loss and further out gaining whether they have pcos or not.  Hope this was somewhat helpful!
Good Luck,
Andrea

I have hirsutism or unusual male pattern hair growth and have PCOS.   What tests did they run on you? Was a regular doctor?  I found that an endocrinologist is best to see for treatment of PCOS because it deals with so many hormonal abnormalities that many general practictioners don't have the expertise or know the latest treatments and most OB/GYN doctors just treat the infertility end of the problems with PCOS unless they specialize in it.  But you really should have more of a workup done where they check hormone levels and a full physical if you haven't already.  Just removing your ovaries and uterus will not remove the problems completely from what I've been told.  PCOS is a metabolic disorder and makes you more at risk for heart disease and Diabetes.  Hope this helped you.  

Well, I'm plenty old enough for the hysterectomy, I'm 43 and done with kids.  I definately have unusual male hair growth (at least I think so).  I was tested by a reg. dr at the hospital.   I don't know what the test was for specifically.  He just took blood and said it was negative.  You have some good ideas for me, thanks. 

So I have been diagnosed with PCOS for almost 8 years. What I have learned through just my own treatment and from being a nurse is this:

One of the main problems with PCOS is most women are "insulin resistant"-meaning that your body is producing insulin but not properly using it-making you "prediabetic". Because your body does not use Insulin correctly a lot of carbs/sugars get automatically stored as fat (instead of your body using insulin to convert it to energy). This is a reason why it is so hard to lose weight when you have PCOS. So the more fat you store, the more estrogen is stored in that fat. The more estrogen in your body the more likely the rest of your hormones like progestrone (which causes the hair) gets wacked out. Not to mention the insulin and fat affect your LH and FSH (the hormones that make you ovulate). So you see it is a horrible cycle and they are all linked together. Having a hysterectomy wouldn't really help you if you are insulin resistant.


Since surgery, I have had normal periods but still have the facial hair! There is a cream called Vaniqa. It isn't covered on most people's insurance but it is about 60 or 70 bucks a tube! It does work if you use it properly!

Hope that helps.
P.S. to find out if you are indeed insulin resistant you have to have a glucose tolerance test!
My glucose tolerance test came back that I was indeed resistant but I still have normal blood sugars!