Opinions about WLS &PCOS

Hi girls,

I'm new to the board and I'm considering WLS. I was diagnosed with PCOS about 5 years ago. I have irregular periods and when I do get a period I bleed for about 10-14 days heavily. I'm 5'3" 242lbs, and I've tried everything to lose the weight. The Metformin doesn't really help much and  a major concern for me is being able to have children when I'm ready.  I'm gonna meet with an Endocrinologist to discuss options, but I wanted to know some of your opinions as well considering that a lot of you guys have had WLS. Can you offer me any advice. I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks

Hey!  I am 28 years old and have had pcos for as long as I can remember.  I've never had a regular period.  I had gastric bypass surgery 15 weeks ago and I've lost 86lbs.  My periods were the same as yours.  I already have normal periods and they only last 5-7 days.  I thougth OMG!  It's a miracle.  My period actually stopped by the 7th day.  I've met with an endocrinologist before my surgery and it was all the same thing.  Made me see a nutritionist and put me on Metformin.  Which I was not on that stuff for long because of the terrible side effects.  One of the primary reasons I decided to have surgery was that my husband and I could have the opportunity to have children when we decide to do that.  I would so go for it, but do your research.  I researched for 2 years prior to my surgery.

Mandi

Hey there - I was diagnosed with PCOS at 13 (first period lasted two weeks then not another one for six months).  I was on the pill for years, always overweight, tried metformin around 30 and it didn't help at all.  I'm now 37 and while I don't want kids, I really really don't want diabetes, which with a lot of PCOSers is where we end up.  So, my endocrinologist recommended WLS.  I first I said 'no' and tried to eat 1200 a day and exercise six times a week but seriously - I lost nothing and that is no way to live!  I started researching and ended up choosing the Duodenal Switch mainly because of the malabsorption part and how it gives a major metabolism boost and changes how our bodies deal with insulin.  I researched almost full-time for about three months (starting in January of this year) and am having my surgery in a little over a month.  I'm excited and nervous!  My surgeon said to me that what he sees happen to women with PCOS after surgery is 'miraculous'.

My suggestion is read read read - take it all in and figure out what is best for you!  Good luck!  A PCOS free life is just around the corner!

Hi there!  Welcome to the board.  There is a lot of great information and support available here and on some of the PCOS forums.  The best advice i can give is to do your research and take your time to make the decision that is best FOR YOU.  It's good that you are going to meet with an endocrinologist to discuss your options. 

I have had PCOS symptoms since my teens (irregular, nearly nonexistent periods, hirsutism, obesity) and was officially diagnosed in my mid-20's.  I don't want children but as my weight shot up and my health declined I began to look at my options.  The prospect of early diabetes was more frightening to me than the surgery itself- and I was honestly scared about surgery too!  It took me a couple years of researching and not getting anywhere by less invasive treatment methods.  I tried meds, diet, exercise... you name it.  I finally chose to have the roux-en-y.  I'm glad I did it.  I am ten months out, 115 pounds down and am feeling much better.  My PCOS symptoms are not entirely gone but more manageable.  My cycles are finally regular, "normal" cycles for the first time ever. 

Good luck to you and let me know if I can answer any questions or concerns.

I had my surgery in Jan and was diagnosed with pcos in March. I had the irregular periods, skin tags, etc. I've lost about 43 pounds since my surgery. Its been a slow process on losing weight for me but I've been told its due to to pcos and insulin resistance. I am taking 1000mg of metformin. I started it back in May it has helped a little but not as much as I hoped it would. My symptoms haven't gone away actually they've gotten a little worse. I have facial hair, stronger body odor, and hair on my back,  oh yeah I just had some break through bleeding so it pretty much sucks. I have an appt with my Dr. so I'm going to have him refer me to an endocrindologist to get this taken care of. He was hoping it would go away with the weightloss but that doesn't seem to be working. So we will see.....just know that every person is different and though the surgery hasn't helped me maybe it will help you. Its worth a try.

Hey guys,

Thanks for the supportive and informative responses. This past Wednesday I met with an Endocrinologist. He's also a weight-loss expert and well known in the city for helping people to lose weight. I was in the office for a long time because they ran various tests to determine the next course of action. I didn't mention WLS to him yet because I would like to go through other alternative treatments before I undergo something as big as bariatric surgery. He drew blood and performed various tests to see what my metabolism is like. He figures that I would be good with a 1400calorie/day diet. I'm suppose to meet with one of his nutritionist at the office next week to work on a plan of action with my eating habits. I've been keeping a food diary, writing down everything I've eaten in a week. I hope something positive comes out of this.

The thing that I'm concerned about is trying to realistically count calories when I'm eating.

I'd just like to let you know that I've spent close to 30k out of pocket.. over the last three years.. attempting "alternative medicines"... this was with a PCOS specialist and a personal trainer. The most I ever lost was 30 lbs in 3 months.. and that was with a very restrictive, detox diet... that I could NOT keep up.

I bleed probably 50% of the month.. every month.. almost non stop periods.. I'm hair.. I carry all the weight in my mid section..

I was very distraught at first that I needed surgery.. that I was a "failure".. but I tried. I tried as hard as I could and could not stick with it..

Last month I woke up with 4-5 blood clots on my thighs.. and I was mid birth control pack... I said, 'Enough'...

I will be getting the VSG on July 8th.

 Good luck on your surgery today Brandi!

You're about like me.  I'm also 5'3 and my top weight was 254.  I was diabetic, hypertensive, sleep apnea, infertile and no matter what I did I could not loose weight & keep it off.  The most I ever lost was 2 years of weigh****chers and I regained everything back.  Even with prescription diet pills I'd only lost 30lbs over the course of a year.

I had the RNY and love it.  I lost 114lbs by 1 year post op and it 'fixed' all my PCOS issues with the exception of the hair growth on my chin.  I found that I went from zero periods to regular 31-32ish day cycles.  At 16 months post op we didn't use protection and immediately got pregnant with my older daughter and then early last year we did the same again and once again immediately got pregnant with my 2nd daughter.  My endocrinologist is the one who treated me for my diabetes, IR, & PCOS...she's also the one *****commended surgery to me.  Oh...and the Metformin didn't help me either.  It never helped me loose weight or ovulate and after being on it for 4 years I became diabetic.

Anyway good luck in whatever you choose!