I had my surgery on April 15/15.  I am down 92 pounds from my heaviest and 62 pounds since surgery.  I too have PCOS.  My GP recently took me off of the Metformin that I had been using for years to help control my PCOS.  He felt with all this weight loss, I didnt need it anymore.  Now I have suddenly gained 2.5 pounds in spite of eating exactly as I should and exercising.  I only get between 500-600 calories a day, and eat high protein (80-90g), low carb and low fat.  I also get between 45-60 min of exercise a day.  I am not pre menstrual.  I'm not sure what is happening.  DO you think this could be from going off the metformin?  Will it level out and start losing again?  Any suggestions?  I am only 4 and a half months out and have at least 45 pounds more to lose to get to the high end of BMI. I am feeling discouraged and would love some feedback.  Thank you.

I think mine really got worse to be honest about it. I have to "take care" of my "beard" twice a day. Its a shame with todays technologies and medicine that they cannot do more about this problem.

 

This will be cross posted to the PCOS forum and general discussion.

I am writing with a heavy heart today because the PCOS I struggle with is fighting back and now my hormonal battle just got more complex.

Prior to surgery, I took Metformin and hormones to help with PCOS. I got WLS because beyond the ~20 lb loss from the metformin, I was unable to lose weight despite a low carb diet and exercising hard at the gym. 

I went off the meds and hormones for over 1 year 7 months.  Around March 2015, my endocrinologist declared my labs were normal and congratulated me for beating PCOS. I was happy but kind of had to wonder as I was still having acne, darkened skin, and hair issues..but maybe it really was something in my heritage/family tree (i.e. just being a hairy woman).

Unfortunately, despite eating low carb and a low GI diet, my Hb A1C is 5.5 (it is in the upper limit of normal; the upper threshold is 5.6). Thank god for the vets that tell people to eat protein forward/ low carb. Had I NOT been eating this way, I would certainly have been in the pre-diabetic range or at least in the "monitor closely stage".

My free and bound testerone is also high.

So now I am back on metformin.  Interestingly, Metformin seems to absorb better and have a better bioavailablity AFTER RNY as compared to non-RNY patients. So this may be the ONE drug on the planet that does better after WLS.

 

http://www.diabetes.org/research-and-practice/patient-access-to-research/gastric-bypass-surgery-can.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3114332/

Effect of Gastric Bypass Surgery on the Absorption and Bioavailability of Metformin

Raj S. Padwal, MD, MSC,1 Raniah Q. Gabr, MSC,2 Arya M. Sharma, MD, PHD,1 Lee-Ann Langkaas, LPN,3 Dan W. Birch, MD,4 Shahzeer Karmali, MD,4 and Dion R. Brocks, PHD2     What I am most worried about is the progesterone and other hormones I am going to have to take. Prior to surgery, an oral birth control would have handled it. NOw, my endo is referring me to a gynocologist to get it all figured out (along with preventing pregnancy ).   It would have been easier to have a "remedy" (there is no remedy for this) to combat these symptoms had I had the slee***** WLS. To be clear, I do not regret RNY. I Love my surgery. But alternatively, it makes the treatment "landscape" so much more complicated and limiting.   While resolution of PCOS MAY occur, I knew going in it wasn't 100% thing.  I was really pleased to be PCOS free for a few months.   But I am scared and disappointed too.  I WI**** could have gone away forever, hence the disappointment.  I am scared because the last time I had a flare up, I could gain 7 lbs a week WHILE on a diet. I am afraid that I will regain my weight and have no mechanism to get it off. LIke I used my one nuke (WLS), I dont have anymore weapons in my arsenal beyond anorexia, but anorexia isn't a sane, normal option is it.   Sometimes, I really really hate my body and how it turns against me.   That is it. -SS

Amazon, its usually not this expensive. I normally pay around $11.82, not I see its about $15 bucks.  But yes, when you start taking it I read for your case your cycle will immediately come on.  They recommend you not take during cycle, but some people do.  But YES, this should help to regulate your cycle on a monthly basis, plus help with moods.

NOW Foods Female Balance(Tm), 90 Capsules

Check out the reviews.

 

Thank you so much! I have yet to decide which surgery to have, it's good to hear everyone's diff experiences. I guess in general its a forever lifestyle change which I'm ready for. I will look more into DS, As far as bathroom visits my hubby and I have seen the worst of each other he will get over it haha. We have talked about him doing the WLS as well and he has no desire ( and I say if you're happy with yourself then I'm happy) he has however promised to commit to a lifestyle change along with me. It would be nice to be back to work in a week ( I rly can't afford time off!) thanks aain for replying . Each day I'm learning more and more!