Question:
Has anyone had facial hair pre-op and post-op had it go away?

I have a lot of facial hair I am assuming due to hormones out of whack due to my weight. I have to shave everyday.;-p~~~ I am wondering if anyone had this problem pre-op and when you had WLS and lost the weight, the facial hair stopped growing?    — victoriandove (posted on July 7, 2001)

July 7, 2001
Hi Lisa, while I do not have personal knowledge of this, I was wondering if you have ever been diagnosed with PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome? Hirsutism (facial hair growth) is one of the symptoms. Many morbidly obese people have this condition and do not realize it. There is a lot of information about this in the library of this site. Shelley
   — Shelley.

July 7, 2001
Hi... sorry to have to tell you this, but no, it doesn't go away just because you lose weight. If you've ever waxed or plucked, the hair is permanently set to keep growing. If you've just shaved, it might lighten a bit. But here's what I did: I had laser hair removal. It completetly changed my life!!! I had a bad problem with facial hair... it was mortifying. After 2 treatments i looked 90% better, and after 5 i looked perfectly hair-free. I have a touch-up, where she removes 5 or 10 hairs, about every 6 months. Otherwise, I look like a normal woman!! Now, it isn't cheap and it isn't painless, but it is totally worth it. It costs about $1500 total, but it's paid in small increments. It stings like hell, but only when it's being done, not afterward. I would have paid much more and endured 10 times more pain to not have a beard anymore. Well worth it! Go to a reputable, established laser hair removal place and get an estimate. They are very caring and have seen worse cases than yours!! If you want more info from me, leave a message here and I will email you back.
   — [Anonymous]

July 10, 2001
I read your question over the weekend and thought the same thing that Shelly suggested. Are you having other syptoms such as irregular periods. This disorder ofter starts early in the late teens or early 20's. Apparently, part of this disorder is that the insulin the body produces is very good at storing carbs as fat. Check with a good Gyn who would be willing to do some tests such as a serum testosterone level.. I am not an expert but NPR (national Public Radio) had a dr on last Friday that discussed this and how often it is misdiagnosed. You can check out their web site. I do not know it but think if you search NPR you will find it. If their is a university near you with a medical center or teaching hospital that my be a good resource for info. Also check out polycystic ovarian syndrome on the web. good luck! If this can be corrected great and if not the laser treatment sounds like a good alternative. Best wishes!!!!
   — [Anonymous]

July 10, 2001
Hi! i also have facial hair. I have it because i have polycyst ovarion syndrome. My hormone specialist told me he can start treating the facial hair when i am 3 months post-op. So, I'm thinking maybe there is some type of medication or something that removes the hair.
   — SELENA G.