PCOS Patient *****gained weight after RNY

Morning,

I had my surgery in 2002, lost half my body size in about 8 months and kept it off for about 2 years with little or no problems. My PCOS symptoms vanished along with my other comorbidities.

In late 2003 I started feeling badly, symptoms of my PCOS were returning.  I assisted with online support groups and even traveled to be with people all over the United States during their surgeries to offer support and guidance. 

Early 2004 I started to regain weight.  Not due to eating, was still active, was actually involved in more then my average activities. Just like before my surgery seemingly overnight i'd gain 10lbs at a time.

It would drop off, then come back.

By the end of 2004 I was back in a size 10/12 after a few years of being a 4/6.  I have been fighting my symptoms and my weight since then and last night I closed out 2009 weighing about 50lbs less than my original weight.

I'm devestated. I can't bear to look in mirrors, I am so torn apart by this. I need control in my life, and it's so hard to deal with an illness that I can't control.

I have taken metformin for years, it made me very sick, was eventually taken off of it.  My pouch is still small and my eating habits are still fairly great. I have my moments here and there, but nothing that could be responsible for my health.

I've spent the last few years struggling with debiliting migraines, one of my worst PCOS comorbidities, constant nausea and exhaustion.

I am determined that 2010 will be better, but i'm struggling.  Is anyone else in this same boat?

I am considering having the lapband, because I have this theory, as misguided as it may be, that constantly keeping my pouch the tiny size it was for the first 2 years is the key to keeping my PCOS in control.

Please, it's my turn to ask for advice and guidance. 

Sorry to hear about your weight gain & the reemergence of your PCOS I know of a lady (who's name escapes me right now) who had a band placed after RNY and she has lost much of the weight that she'd regained.

Have you been scoped to see how much your pouch  and stoma have stretched?  You might be eligible for this fairly new procedure that just tightens up the stoma again...I forget the name of the procedure. 

I too am sitting in a 10/12 after being a size 6 for a bit.  Partly it's because I had 2 babies in 2 years and although the weight came off after the 1st baby the weight didn't come off after the 2nd.  I delivered my 1st at 170 (started at 140) and was back at goal when she turned a year.  I regained 5lb and got prego the 2nd time at 145, delivered at 173 & for the last year I've bounced between 162-166. 

I'm afraid of regaining all my weight...and yet at times feel powerless to do anything about it.  I resolve myself to loose the weight and quickly fall off the wagon.  It seems that the only way I loose weight is when I get so busy with my kids and don't eat but maybe once a day.  :(  Once I go back to eating regularly I regain the few pounds I may have lost.

Just out of curiosity have you checked out soulcysters.com?  It's an awesome website for women with PCOS & there's even a WLS & PCOS forum & a WLS mommy group (on the mommy buddy forum) & a support group (called WLS Divas on the diet & exercise buddy forum)...

Kristy

Hello Im sorry i cant really help you with the wls surgery part just cause i have my RYN on january 20th.  But i have had PCOS since i was 16  and i have to tell you metformin will make you sick but it will keep you at a stable weight when you excersie while taking it I found if you take it a hour or two before bed it will really help with that sick feeling. Also i know if you eat even the littlest of carbs or soda or candy you will gain weight thats the hardest part i know but if you even eat a lil bit of carbs i guarntee you wil gain weight. I have recently stopped taking metformin cause my body gets used to it, and ill start it back up in a month but i also get horrible headaches and nausea eww i hate it im so sorry you have the same  i cant even get rid of the headaches till i get back on the metformin. I wish you would maybe try the medication again try taking it at night then if that doesnt help try to take it with some food also you might get upset stomach with it if you eat any dairy some people get latose intolerent with it. hope i helped in some way haha!!!

I kept my weight off for 7 years, and took the Metformin for a number of those 7 years, and finally my physican took me off of it, she said that it wasn't right for me, it was making me sick.

I have had my pouch measured, 6oz was the last measurement last summer.

thanks for the help

im sorry i couldnt help you out more! Can i ask you did you take the metformin right after ur WLS? im just curious as to if  they told you to keep taking metformin or just stop it completely? Thanks i wish you luck though :)

I took Metformin until 2006, at that point my physician said for me to stop taking it all together.  She said it didn't work for some people, and I didn't need to be on it.

Sorry I can't be of more help but I sooo know how you feel. I have been on metformin for PCOS for 10 years now and sometimes stop taking it cause the side affects are too bad (1000 mg a day makes me sick/500 mg a day does nothing)... and when I do I will gain 10 lbs within a few days. What's with that? So, I sympathize. And I wish someone would figure out WTF is up with PCOS.  

I know that you posted this a while ago, but wanted to share my story with you.  I was diagnoised w/ PCOS about 10 yrs before I had RNY.  Immediately after my surgery, my bariatric surgeon took me off Metformin & indicated that the RNY shoudl resolve the PCOS completely.

At a little more than 3 yrs post-op, I had extensive bloodwork done, which showed that I had active PCOS (crazy cortisol & testosterone levels).  I am back on Metformin & my PCP (who is an endocrinologist) says it will likely be a lifetime maintenance drug for me.   I have since lost 30 lbs that I had regained since my surgery & am at my lowest post-op weight (and have been for the past 4 months).  I definately made some dietary adjustments in addition to the glucophage, but I do think that it helped.

I understand that you do nto do well on Metformin, but there are other medications that improve insulin resistance and PCOS symptoms.  Go talk to your OBGYN or an endocrinologist & they should be able to verify whether your PCOS is back (via labwork) & can help you find an appropriate treatment plan.