Question:
I have a question for post -ops about PCOS and glucophage

I am 4 months post op and have lost 56 lbs, my doctor is happy with that but I think it is slow (I know I know I should not compare)!I am doing everything I am suposed to do I exercise like a crazy woman and I eat so healthy that I shock myself! And after being a diet coke addict, I love water!!! I talked to my doctor about going back on the glucophage (I was on it 1000 mg 2x a day before surgery for insulin resistance). Ok my question is..... does it help??? have any of you that take it post-op seen a difference in your weight loss?? Thank you!    — Haziefrog (posted on June 12, 2003)

June 12, 2003
Hi Hazel...I didn't start taking glucophage until after WLS. I was diagnosed with PCOS about 6 weeks after. I started at 1000mg a day, and now, almost 2 years later, I'm taking 500mg daily. I don't know if it made a difference with the weightloss, but it sure made me feel better overall. My periods became regular, my skin cleared up, and the hair on my head starting filling in in the thin spots. I also take spironolactone to control body hair growth, because I had thick, dark hair on my arms and stomach. I'm 22 months postop, starting at 316, and have lost 166lbs total. Congratulations on your weightloss so far! Take Care ~ Denise
   — lily1968

June 12, 2003
When I was pre-op, I couldn't tell that glucophage made much of a difference **for me** (weight-loss-wise nor symptom-wise). Now that I'm post-op, I can't tolerate glucophage (it just won't stay in the pouch) at all. I still do take my spironolactone, which I also took before surgery. It does make a big difference for many of my pcos symptoms, and oddly enough, I've noticed that my weight loss slows (post-op) if I don't take it.
   — Laurie A.

June 12, 2003
It made me lose more, and it made me feel really *normal*..... I had to go off for pregnancy. I was happy taking it and I reccomend it for the PCOS sufferer. It is my opinion that we, even with WLS, lose slower no matter what.
   — Karen R.

June 12, 2003
Hi, I also have PCOS and had WLS on January 24, 2002. I was on glucophage before my surgery and didnt think it helped much so I didnt go back on it right after surgery. I stopped losing weight about 10 months after my surgery and the total lost was only about 75-80 pounds. I got back on the glucophage around November and have lost another 20 pounds or so. I think it is working better now that I dont eat all of the carbs and sugar I did before. I still have irregular periods, but it is getting better. Good Luck!
   — Heidi B.