Question:
Anyone with PCOS, does WLS decrease PCOS symptoms?

Before anyone gets upset, I looked in the library and there were three questions relating to this but with very vague answers. I have had PCOS for 6 years which pushed me into diabetes, facial hair growth and no periods for 6 years. I have been told losing weight would help so I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this? Thanks somuch in advance!! :)    — Keishia R. (posted on April 1, 2003)

April 1, 2003
Sorry, I don't have an answer but I do have PCOS and will be going through the surgery in May 03. I will keep this in mind and ask others who might now. Good luck!
   — Karene C.

April 1, 2003
hi there :) i too have pcos and would go months,even an entire year without a cycle. now, after wls, i have a period every month but they for some reason, had returned on their own a few months before my wls. alot of the bothersome symptoms of pcos have gotten better but im in no way free of it. things im sure will inprove for you as well but to what degree, im sure depends on the individual. some have even been able to conceive after wls which is really good news for alot of pcos ers. ive not been trying to conceive so im not sure if im more furtile or not but i know the wls helps and i have a friend that has pcos and was also diabetic but is not diabetic anymore so thats great! i wish you the best of luck and hope my answer has helped in some way :)
   — carrie M.

April 1, 2003
HI! I have PCOS as well, Before surery I was gaining weight at a rapid rate. I was bleeding for 2 years straight and had only had 8 periods in my entire life. I was a classic text book case of PCOS. I had the mood swings and all the symptoms except for the baldness. I had surgery on sept 18 2002 and have lost 110 pounds. I have had a light period EVERY MONTH since and have not had any SYMPTOMS since, except for the facial hair, once you get that it's for life. I am looking into having it removed. E-mail me if you have any questions. [email protected]
   — nicole79

April 1, 2003
Hi...I'm a classic symptom PCOSer too!!! I had surgery Sept 18th '02 and since then I have lost 106+ lbs(I only weigh once a month) have had regular LITE periods and have started ovulating for the first time in about 7 yrs. My glucose intolerance is non-exisistant and I basically feel WONDERFUL!!!! I do still have some mood swings but they are manageable.
   — Deanna_K

April 2, 2003
Read my site!!
   — Karen R.

April 2, 2003
Hi there! I also have has WLS and have had PCOS all of my life. My surgery was January 24, 2002 and I have lost about 90 lbs. I still have about 35 to go to get to my goal of 150. I started at 274. It has been slow going for me. I can eat almost anything, I am just amaized at what I dont even want anymore! I was put on glucophage about 1 month ago and that has seemed to help as I hadnt lost in months and recently dropped a few pounds. I will take what I can get! I am on spirodactone (sp) for facial hair - but its still there, just not as bad. I have a period every other week for a week at a time since I stopped taking my birth control in October. I decided to stop bc because of the horibble mood wings it gave me. I was driving my husband crazy! Shortly - I am going to start fertility meds again to try and get pregnant. I was trying before my WLS and was unsuccessful. My endocrinologist advised me to lose at least 50 pounds and that would help me conceive. easier said than done! Thats when I decided to have WLS. I hope this helps a little - but everyone is different. Good Luck!
   — Heidi B.

April 3, 2003
I too have/had pcos. My symptoms were lack of menstruation for around 6-7 years, and the lovely and sexy facial hair, as well as the ease with which to gain weight, no matter what I had eaten(which is a big part of our obesity problem...has to do with the hormones). Within a month after surgery, my menstruation began regularly (ahhh, too bad), but the facial hair persists and will probably not go away. Unfortunately, I am getting used to having my razer in hand daily to get that sexy chin hair under control!!!Oh, and I still tend to gain weight easily so I really have to watch it.
   — twenc