Question:
Surgery 4/29 need help.

I work in a hospital and have PCOS and one of the doctors is concerned that if I go through with the surgery that I will become insulin resistent and not lose weight. Has anyone had this problem and what are the symptoms and treatments.    — SAMANTHA B. (posted on April 24, 2002)

April 24, 2002
i am not sure about all the medical facts, but i can tell you what has happened to me. i was taking 100 u. of nph insulin per day, 2 oral hypoglycemics(to lower blood sugar) per day and 2000 mg of glucophage. within one month of surgery, i was off the insulin and hypoglycemics, and my glucophage is 1500mg per day. my blood sugar is normal and i have lost 40 lbs in two months. i dont know what the association is with pcos but this has been my personal experience.
   — PATSY N.

April 24, 2002
It is very common for people who have PCOD to have insulin restistance anyway. Have you been checked? My doctor explained it: If a person has insulin resistance, some wls people lose a bit then stop. They put them on a drug called Glucophage and the weight comes off again. I hope your seeing an specialist to guide you properly. WLS doesn't cause insulin resistance, it can only help you by losing weight. Good Luck!
   — ZZ S.

April 24, 2002
I feel we are definitly "different" in our body make-up when it comes to this surgery. I stopped losing at 6 mos- however others w/PCOS did not. I am meeting with a new Endo to discuss Glucophage, as it probably should have been addressed before I had my surgery. Either way, this surgery has made living with PCOS easier as I eat less food, and majority of it is protein. Like it was "made" with us in mind. Lo-Carbing is definitly easier with this surgery, and that helps with cravings. Losing weight helps us immensely- however, our condition will never be cured!! So whether you have surgery or not- your Doctor needs to consider those facts.
   — Karen R.

April 24, 2002
Hi! I was diagnosed with PCOS about 6 weeks after I had surgery (I had a problem with insulin resistance before surgery but never knew it) and the Endo put me on 1000mg of Glucophage a day and I have had no problem with the weightloss. My 8 month anniversary is next week, and I'm down 122lbs so far. Hope this helps....
   — lily1968

April 24, 2002
What type of WLS are you having (didn't say in profile). If it is RNY, one of the best things is that it tends to decrease insulin resistance and not increase. My wife had PCOS and severe insulin resistance before surgery. Now she is 1 yr post-op, down about 100 lbs, and has no sign of either PCOS or insulin resistance. I was also diagnosed with insulin resistance and border-line diabetic. But they were testing me in the hospital, and within 3 days my insulin and sugar level had stablized and I haven't had any problems with the insulin/sugar rollercoaster since. I wouldn't worry about it, because it should improve your condition rather than make it worse. (Assuming you are having RNY. I have no idea how some of the other WLS surgeries affect PCOS or insulin resistance.)
   — Dell H.

April 25, 2002
If you can get your PCP to refer you, see an endocrinologist. They are probably best suited to answering this question for you.
   — garw