Hope for pregnancy after RNY

I just wanted to offer a bit of encouragement to my fellow PCOers.  I am 37 (will be 38 years old August 1st) and had RNY Feb. 12th of 2008.  So let me give you some background.  I was dx with PCO when I was about 21.  I gained quite a bit of weight and when I got married I settled in at about 230.  My husband and I tried everything to get pregnant including Gonal-F and Artificial Insemination ($4000 for one month down the toilet).  We decided to adopt our daughter in 1998 which was the best decision we ever made.  She is going to be 11 in July.  Again, I had several ultrasounds and tests done and was told there really was no way I could get pregnant.  I have a low thyroid which already complicates things and my hormones have always been out of whack.  So fast forward....I had surgery and successfully have lost almost 90 pounds (started at 5'6" and 260 pounds and got down to 173 or so).  Well I just received the most shocking news of my life.  I am 6 weeks pregnant.  Yep, almost 38 and have had unprotected sex for 14 years!!!  Be careful what you wish for huh?  I am excited and scared all at the same time.  I just hope I don't miscarry.  This is my FIRST time ever being pregnant.  I just wanted to offer encouragement and let you know that, for me, the surgery has profoundly changed my life.  I wish I had done it earlier but I know I am wiser now and will use the tool more effectively.

congratualtions. i was diagnosed when i was 18 just a month after i met my husband. im almost 28 now without ever succesfully getting pregnant. we dont have the kind of money for procedures and what not so my last resort is trying to get healthier and lose weight. im hoping a job with benefits comes through so i could have the surgery. your story is hopeful and im keeping my own fingers crossed. you will be in my prayers and good luck to you.

congrats on your pregnancy, hope all goes well.

Thank you so much for this!  My husband & I have been married for 13 (almost 14) years and have tried to get pregnant for most of those years.  We too did fertility treatments.  3 cycles of Repronex and Gonal-F.  We did the IUI, etc.  Even had my tubes checked to make sure there were no blockages.  (It took massive dosages of the fertility drugs to get my eggs to develop.)

The fertility doctor said if I lose weight I should be able to conceive.  One of the reasons I had RNY was to increase the chances of pregnancy.  I've got 16 months left before we can start trying again. 

I do have one son that I conceived at a very young age (he's 17 years old now) before I gained weight due to the PCOS.

That is absolutely wonderful news!  Congratulations! You give us all hope! :)

Hi Michelle!
As I was reading your post, I could have sworn I was reading my own life story! I, too, am 37 and have been suffering from PCOS for many years. After spending over $20,000 in fertility (IUI and IVF), I learned that wls would increase my chances of conceiving. I found 2 studies that revealed favourable results in women with PCOS that had become pregnant. I went ahead and applied through our provincial medical insurance for out of country surgery and just found out I have been approved for wls! (In Ontario it would take months to have the procedure, so they are covering my surgery in Michigan to expedite it.)

None of my fertility doctors even dared to tell me to lose weight, because they know how difficult it is for someone with PCOS - I just wish one of them was open minded enough to tell me that wls would help!

Anyway, my wls journey will begin this summer and I was told I could try conceiving 12 to 18 months post-op!

Thank you so-o much for your very encouraging post and Congratulations on your pregnancy!

All the best!
Lesley

That's great!!! You give me hope. I'm 30 & has spent a ton of money on treatment to get pregnant. I had surgery 12-10-08 & have lost 70 lbs. You are in my thoughts.. Best of luck

Hi. I also have PCOS and was dianosed when I was 19. I had gotten preggers and miscarried. Then they found it. I had two surgerys to clear off my overies and went back to my dr. He told me that I would never get preggers on my own, and we left it at that. Well, I set up to see a invitro dr and the day of my appointment, I found out I was preggers with my daughter. She is now 4. When the dr told me I couldn't do it on my own....I WAS ALREADY PREGNANT! Shows what they know. I had a high risk pregnancy cause of my weight and other issues, but have a beautiful daughter and a set of 17month old twins now! They were with the help of self shots, but they were both healthy.  So ppl with PCOS may have it harder, but can do it. Good luck with your pregnancy. My surgery is in a week, so hopefully the weight loss will help with my symptoms.

Devon

Just wanted to post an update.  I went in last week for my ultrasound and heard the heartbeat.  I swear I held my breath for a moment because I was just certain they had made a mistake and I wasn't pregnant afterall.  It was AMAZING!!!  I go back in a couple more weeks for another ultrasound but so far, so good!!

I have a similar story....it took 7 years for our second daughter (finally diagnosed with PCOS during this time) and we were done with kids by the time I decided to have my RNY!  Had unprotected sex with my hubby one time after a conversation about having a third and got pregnant right away! I am positive my RNY and the 105 pound weight loss did the trick for us!  So we have a 10 year old, 3 year old and a 7 month old!  Oh, and I am 35.