Introducing myself

hi there! My name is Jen, I'm almost five months post surgery (5/7/09- GBP) and have lost almost 100 lbs. I've never had regular periods my whole life and have only ever had one without medication assistance such as birth control. I've had tons of testing and fit all the PCOS signs and symptoms including the extra hair growth, inability to lose weight easily and insulin resistance. The weight was flying off for the first couple of months and now i'm getting scared because it's slowed down and has stopped for about three weeks. I'm scared I did this big surgery for nothing and i'm scared that I'm never going to figure out what's wrong with me. I'm also scared that I'm never going to have kids. I thought losing some weight might jumpstart the whole period thing, but nothing, the doc wants me to go on birth control, but as long as it's been without one it's kind of scary to think of doing in again too. Weird I know. So I usually hang out on here in th Maine forum, but someone suggested I check this out. So Hello! Nice to meet you all! maybe you will be able to help!
Jenn

What are you talking about! You've lost 100# that's awesome you are a winner! That's 100# that you have gotten rid of forever! Your only 5 months out and have done so much. I also have pcos and all the symptoms you listed. The insulin resistance is what kills the weightloss part. I am 8 months out on the 27th and have only lost half of what you have. I am at a stall and have been for about a month already. I can't get below 150#'s. My weight fluctuates day by day. I can go from one day weighing 150 and then the next I'll weigh 153. Then I'll go back down to 150. Its very frustrating but that is due to the insulin resistance. My PCP has me taking metformin which has helped a little but I need to stay away from carbs and sugars. Although pcos makes the weightloss harder to achieve it does not completely stop it. Its just that we need to work at it a little more because of this. I wouldn't worry about it too much. Also, from what I've heard metformin makes you more fertile. I am not sure how true it is because I had my tubes tide about 6 yrs ago and will now be having a hysterectomy because of the issues with pcos and dysplasyia. My OBGYN did put me on bcp's to try to regulate my period but it didn't help. It basically just stopped and haven't had one since april. Its been nice no complaints here. Well keep up the great work and don't get down on yourself. Like I said 5 months out and 100#  thats awesome and a great achievement!!

Liz

Congrats on your drastic weight loss!  What an acheivement!  I too suffer from PCOS.  I did not want to go back on bcps after my surgery ( I took them before for years to help regulate my hormones).  For one I wanted to see if I could have a period on my own and two, I wanted my body to regulate itself.  

The thing about wls is that is causes drastic weightloss, and even though in the long run this will help your body immensely, it causes your hormones to go wonky for awhile.  Also, it is recommended by the obgyn experts that you have at least four periods a year.  If not, the lining in your uterus gets thicker and thicker (because you're not shedding it with a period) and it can lead to uterine cancer.  If going back on bcps helps regulate your hormones for awhile and protects you from developing cancer, it's worth a shot for awhile.

Also, you're five months out.  After about six months post op, the weightloss is all diet and exercise.  It sounds like you've done a FANTASTIC job working your surgery thus far and I'm sure you'll have continues success.