increasing facial and arm hair, cramps, acne, weight gain since RNY in 2/07

I had RNY in 2/07...yes I'm almost 2 years post op!  I lost 107lbs total and now i've gained about 7lbs back!  I noticed that I'm eating more carbs lately.  I also noticed that my facial hair, arm hair, acne, and intense cramps have increased!  It seems like PCOS is back in full swing!  My periods are pretty regular but the cramps are ridiculous.  My docs decided to take me off of all birth control and meds when I had my surgery and I'm not on anything except for lexapro (anxiety meds).  I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 16, so i've been dealing with these symptoms for a long time!  However, I never had cramps as bad as I do now. 
I'm wondering if I should go on some sort of med now.  I see that a lot of you are taking metfomin.  OR should i go back on some birth control.  I'm just worried that birth control will make me gain even more weight.  Not sure what to do and I need advice!  I know I can talk to my GYN, reg doc, or my gastric bypass doc....but I like to walk in there with some ideas already in my head!  I also have high cholesterol.  It was 450 before the RNY and now it's down to 220.  I know it's still high, but that's considerably low for my family!  :>)
Do you think the carbs are impacting the increase in everything???

Hey girl! Well, like you I have been diagnosed with PCOS since a young age. I think that influenced me in going to nursing school. Anyway, You asked about taking metformin or birth control. First of all most people with PCOS are insulin resistant which is why they take metformin. I had to take a glucose tolerance test to make sure that I was indeed insulin resistant. I took metformin for about a year (this was before I had surgery). It was very rough on my stomach. It helped regulate my periods but really didn't help with any of the other symptoms. It also made me gain about 15 lbs. As far the birth control, I am "crazy" on BC!!! I just try to stay away from it. I think I am really sensitive towards hormones.

What I have found since my surgery is that my symptoms (periods, facial hair, cramping etc) are ALWAYS a lot better when I have a small amount of sugar (including carbs because they break down to sugars too) in my body. I think it is always going to be like this. Until they find a cure for PCOS we are still going to be insulin resistant. This means that our body is producing insulin but it isn't using it! So anytime we eat sugar or carbs (like bread or yummy pasta) our body can't break it down into energy and it gets stored as fat! SUCKS For us! I think you moderate your diet that is going to be the best thing you can do for your PCOS. I have been through the ringer on treatments with PCOS and this is what I have found is the most effective.

If you are still wanting to see a medical professional you should def see an Endocronologist!!! I have found they usually have a better idea and picture of all the different aspects of PCOS and how they are effecting each other! 

Good luck girl! Hope that helps!
leah b

Thanks so much!  i really appreciate your advice.  I want nothing to do with anything that might make me gain weight!  So that helps. 

I see that you are pictured with a baby.  Is that your child?  did you have him after the surgery?  If so, how did that go? 

 LOL, I wish he was mine! He is so cute! He is my nephew! It has been hard for me because all my sisters and brother have kids. Actually, my 9th nephew was just born on Sunday! I hadn't been able to get pregnant before I had surgery, and am not far enough out yet to try! :) However, my Surgeon did say that if I was at goal weight by 9 months and all my labs continue to be good he will clear me to start trying (my hubby is deploying this summer and we really wanted to try before he left). It keeps me motivated! There is a forum for pregnancy after surgery and A LOT of women on there have PCOS! Are you trying to get pregnant? I know that for women with PCOS they commonly give Clomid to help women with PCOS get pregnant!

I've only just started to even THINK about getting pregnant. I know it's selfish, but I really don't want my body to change again!  It totally freaks me out!  I also have an 8year old foster child with special needs and I couldn't imagine having a baby in addition to him!  I guess we're just going to give it time.  I'm 29...so I have a little time!