PCOS symptoms reversed after WLS?

Hi there!

I was wondering if there was anyone out there who has had success with diminshing PCOS symptoms -esp. excessive hair - after wls.

Also, is there one surgery better than another for someone wishing to get pregnant and have a healthy pregnancy post wls?

Wanted to reply because this can be a slower board, even though I won't be much help.
On PCOS symptoms, I had RNY 21 months ago and I have noticed improvements with regular periods, less "chain of pearls" cysts and better insulin regulation but UNFORTUNATELY no improvement on excessive hair.  It has remained exactly the same for some reason!
As for the post-op PG, can only say we finally conceived in Jan. but still working through some minor setbacks such as lack of absorption of Diclectin (for morning sickness) and incredible cravings for things I can't eat like milkshakes and burgers.  Otherwise, things have progressed as a normal PG would so far (fingers crossed).
I see you're from Canada too Best of luck with your journey!
Alison

I had RNY 4 years 7 months ago and all of my PCOS symptoms went away with the exception of the hair.  Unfortunately once the hair has grown in there's nothing you can do except for laser hair removal or something like that.

As far as pregnancy goes I was able to get pregnant at 16 months post op after 8+ years of failed fertility treatments.  I had a healthy pregnancy & baby.  Then last year at 3.5 years post op got pregnant again and once again had a healthy pregnancy & baby.  My WLS is what allowed me to have my babies...

Good luck!

As far as the hair is concerned, my experience pre-WLS was that removing it via laser is good, BUT, new hairs grew back because my hormone situation was not under control. 

I still am having laser treatments, but now the hair comes back less and less each time.

Also, I've have a period every month since WLS. My cycles aren't yet regular in length (my last one was 26 days and I'm still waiting for AF this month, but I can see from the break out on my face that it's coming soon), but it is MUCH better than before--having a period every month is quite an improvement.

Personally, I felt I needed malabsorption as part of my WLS because PCOS is a metabolic problem. RNY and DS surgeries tend to send diabetes (which I didn't have) into remission while the patient is still in the hospital--so there is something about the intenstines being re-routed that seems to cause this as the significant weight loss hasn't had a chance to happen yet.  I didn't have diabetes, but I did/do have insulin resistance (as many with PCOS do). I felt I needed a metabolic solution to deal with a metabolic issue. That is the reason I went with RNY instead of a sleeve , aka VSG (which I had seriously considered).

I am pretty sure WLS will never completely reverse PCOS symtoms.  It might make them so they aren't as bad, but wont ever take them completely away.  I am 1 year out from RNY this weekend and I have same exact symtoms.  Nothing has changed.  I thought that my periods were regular.  But only were for 4 months after surgery, then I went not having them at all again unless brought on by Provera.  It sucks

Like some of the other posters, I did start having regular periods post op, but the hair actually seems to be a bit worse. 

As an FYI, though, my WLS doc took me off of metformin (glucophage) after my surgery & said that I would no longer need it.  It sounded right b/c after all I was having regular periods.  My new doctor (primary care) is very educated on PCOS and bariatrics--he immediately put me back on metformin.  Per this new doc, even with the improved symptoms and WLS, those with true PCOS and insulin resistance still have a much higher chance of developing Type 2 Diab. in the future, and metformin can stave that off.  This doc says I should be on Metformin for life.

Obviously there are differing medical opinions, but just thought I'd pass along this info for whatever it is worth.

R

I'm about 3 months out from my DS and I am VERY pleased with how much it has helped my PCOS symptoms.

1) My period is regular these days without any help from birth control pills.  (I stopped taking them two weeks before surgery and never went back.)
2) My unwanted hair is A LOT better.  I can go a day or two without "taking care" of it, which is awesome.
3) My dark patches of skin have REALLY lightened up.  They're not completely gone yet but almost.

I'm so happy about this!

I have been having problems with dark patches of skin on my face and lately I have a lot more facial hair than ever. I have always had crazy periods! 28 days sometimes it would stretch as far out as 32 days. I am a little over 7 wks out and haven' t really noticed any improvements but have also never been told that I could have PCOS. Someone else informed me of the possiblity thats what my problem is. Could it possibly be.

Liz

I think it could possibly be PCOS that you have.  Give the weight loss a little more time to make things better.