Dark skin around neck

I was diagnosed with PCOS 10 years ago. I have completed 3 of my 6 required NUT classes for RNY surgery. The skin around my neck is getting soooo much darker and now I can feel a skin tag coming up. It's grossing me out! It makes me feel so dirty. Do you believe it is PCOS related? If so why is it just coming more noticeable in the last year or so when I've had PCOS for so long? Does the skin coloration go away after you loose weight from surgery? God I hope so!

I have had PCOS for several years now.  I have not yet had surgery but the skin tags, and skin discoloration are definately from PCOS.  Mine gets worse when my Testosterone levels go up.  I currently take metformin to keep my levels down.  I also go to another PSOC forum www.soulcysters.com 

Good Luck

I have the same thing, plus excess facial hair.the skin is clearing up, I've seen no improvement of the tags. Good luck with your prep for surgery.

I also have the same thing. I had my surgery 02/02/2009. I am off the Metformin and my periods have been regular ever since. The "ring" I call it, around my neck is almost gone but not the skin tags. My primary doctor says I will probably have to have them removed. I hope you do well in your journey. Good luck.

I was diagnoed with PCOS over 20 years ago, but just started getting the darker skin around my neck within the last few years.  I found out this is something called acanthosis nigricans.  I was told by my dermatologist that they believe it is a result of the insulin resistance syndrome people with PCOS suffer from.   This link from the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology might help you somewhat:  http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/acanthosis_nigrica.html.  They talk about causes and treatment options too.  My dermatologist told me it could be reversible, along with the PCOS, with weight loss.  Hope this helps! 

Fantastic - thanks for the great info. I am excited to know that there is an actual name for it. I am going to the website you mentioned and read about it. It makes me self conscious and I get so hot when I wear my hair down to cover it up when I go anywhere. I'm sure you know where I'm coming from :) thanks again

You're welcome!  And I do know how you feel - Mine is kind of a grayish color and I feel like it looks like I haven't washed my neck!  I'm actually going to see my dermatologist about treatment for it.  Take care!

I also have the dark ring on my neck.  Thankfully it is on the back of my neck so my hair hides it.  Unfortunately though, I've noticed it trying to come around the left side of my neck.  I'm only 2 months out so I can't say yet if weight loss will help it or not.

As for the skin tags, I had a lot removed by a dermatologist last year.  It was so easy.  They litterally did it in their office.  Most of them had no pain at all.  The ones that I did feel were just little stings.  Not bad at all.  She removed all fo them for $115.  My neck looks so much better!!! 

I'm going to check into the treatment for the dark spots.  I hate that so much!!!

 My doctor said that the darker, rougher skin around my neck, knuckles, underarms, wrists, etc, would go away within a year of significant weight loss. To tell the truth, the thing I'm most excited about, is shaving my underarms, and it actually looking like I shaved, it's always dark! Also, I've noticed for years now that no matter how much lotion I use, the rest of my skin is never as soft as everyone else's. I hope that goes away too.

I can totally relate with everyone about the dark skin patches, and skin tags. I was Diagnosed with PCOS when I was 18, but my Dr. said that I have probably had it since I hit puberty at 11. I feel so ashamed and dirty about the black ring on my neck and the 3 skin tags I have there too. When I was younger I never Knew what the dark ring was from and I would try everything to scrub it off! I used to scrub so hard my skin would be blood red and raw. Now that I am older and know what it is caused by I am just hoping that it will go away after my RNY in a few months.

Has anyone here had a pregnancy after RYN with PCOS?
I also only have one working falopian tube and ovary. My gyno said that it works fine but I have never had a regular cycle so I am just wondering if anyone has had a similar expereince??

Thanks