PCOS after weight loss surgery

Hello everyone, my name is Kristie I have been post of since Nov. 2004, I have lost 120 pds. leaving me at 142 pds steady now. I just wanted to let you all know that after reading your posts here, be assured that PCOS does improve after WLS, I menstruate regular now, I have less facial hair and body hair, my insulin levels have decreased significantly. Stay positive, there is a brighter road ahead. God Bless and good luck to all. Kristie Marie~

Hi Krsitie Ihave a question. After WLS did you still metformin? My endo is unsure as if I should take and has cuationed on the side of no since my levels have been even since surgery 3 months ago. Any info would be helpful Ally

Hi Ally. I can answer this from my experience. I quit taking Metformin (2000mg) the day before surgery and have not needed to go back to it. I too went from zero cycles to regular cycles after loosing 119 lbs and 1 year post op. I was also able to get pregnant on our first month of not preventing. So...from another Kristy...WLS helps PCOS tremendously! Good luck! Kristy 21 months post op EDD 8/6/06 26w5d It's a girl - Alice Kay

My original PCP advised me to hold off on all my prescriptions until I was 3-6 months out, then check bloodwork and see what needed to be added back in. Because we are losing weight so rapidly during that initial phase, it's tough for them to advise a dosage because the ratio to our body weight changes daily. I stopped all prescriptions until now - I took a little longer than planned to have bloodwork done because I was waiting for my new job's insurance to kick in - but my bloodwork is fantastic. I went from needing 2000mg of Glucophage to needing nothing. My insulin resistance is actually a little *low*. I've had regular periods starting with 3 days post-op - this after not having regular periods for twenty years. Your endo is right to be cautious - I'm not a medical professional, but from my own personal experience, waiting worked for me. --BT

Hi Kristie - I am a 23 year old girl who got married a year ago, got diagnosed with PCOS 2 years ago, and just graduated from Pitt this spring and am going back in August year round for 5 years to get a clinical doctorate degree in speech language pathology. I am 5'8" and about 285 pounds, and I have been kicking around the idea of bariatric surgery. Fortunately, I have Magee Women's Hospital right near me and a team of leading surgeons in the bariatrics field. I am nervous though, because I am wondering if this surgery is for me. My biggest fear is that it will affect having children later, and my second biggest fear is will I get all that loose skin? I am not sure how old you are, but you look to be around my age and I was wondering what you thought - or what anyone thought. Is it a lifestyle that can be managed by someone on the go? When I start grad school, my classes will be 3 hours long, and I am not sure how eating goes after surgery. Also, I read your website and it was really interesting. You said you are in the 140's now... do you have any up to date pictures? Thanks so much, Lee Ann

you must have been reading my mind lee ann.. Im 26 and was just diagnosed with PCOS and I too wonder about the loose skin and having children, although I dont even know if i will ever be able to...(i dont know too much about this PCOS thing, my doctor is useless) anyway I hope to hear more about others who have the same lifestyle or simaliar as mine so I am able to have a better understanding. Cheers Jess

I just wanted to let you know that I definitely notice a difference in my PCOS symptoms after surgery. I'm about 2 years out now and have lost about 110 lbs total. Periods are now regular which is something I've never had before, insulin levels great, no medication AND I'm expecting a baby in October. I dont think any of this would have happened without surgery.