Question:
How is PCOS after weight loss?

How is PCOS after weight loss? I am asking this for a female friend without internet access. Thanks a lot...    — bob-haller (posted on August 7, 2001)

August 7, 2001
Whew! Bob! Glad you said you were asking for a friend. Otherwise, you'd be looking for support for another type of life-changing surgery!
   — Nancy G.

August 7, 2001
C'mon Bob, fess up, you're asking this question for yourself-lol. Actually my symptoms unfortunately have not changed after losing 150lbs. I still take Provera or I don't get a period. Still have the facial hair too, darn.
   — Lori_B

August 7, 2001
Bob I really do belive that this is for someone else! Saw that you were on diabetes meds in your profile. You might want to run this question by your diabetes doctor, and there is a strong relation between weight, PCOS, Diabetes, and Insulin Resistance. I found out that I was taking glucophage, and it did a number on my hormones & PMS. It took me several months about 5 years ago, but they were starting to use it to treat PCOS outside of the US. Since then my PCP has told me that many of the diabetes meds do have a connection to hormone levels and may/may not effect these problems. I guess the answer would be that if the excess weight is causing the hormonal imbalance that causes the PCOS, then the WLS would help, but if there is another reason for the imbalance, it wouldn't help. Since there may be a connection between PCOS and Insulin Resistance as a precursor to full blown diabetes, I'd say that there is a pretty good chance that WLS would help the PCOS, if not at least you helped prevent diabetes! And we both know how important that is! Good luck with your post-op time!
   — Sue F.

August 7, 2001
Thanks for the responses, My wife Jen has PCOS and her endocrolongist said weight loss should help. Now I have been posting on some AOL only boards like diabetes about the benefits of surgery. Really stirrred things up, one of the board moderators called WLS cosmetic:( and surgery ineffective...... and very dangerous. This question originated there and got me curious. Thanks for the help! I am trying to educate folks.
   — bob-haller

August 8, 2001
Period is back, Fertility Unknown, Hirsutism has not changed either way (good or bad), Alopecia, Acne,and Depression have all improved about 60%. My Endo says I may need more than just a year to see big results in Hirsutism. He said (and I quote) "it didn't sprout overnight and it won't go away overnight..."
   — Karen R.