Question:
PCOS & WLS & PREGNANCY

I have PCOS, and I underwent WLS in July 2000 to help me lose the weight gain it causes. So far it has worked- however, I am 10 months out and I am struggling with my plateau from hell (Started at 277, stuck at 188- and have 38 to go) I was wondering if my PCOS could be the reason my weightloss is balking again.... Would love to hear from others w/ PCOS to see if they encountered any struggles different from other "regular" WLS recipiants and what they did to get through it. Also, second question, regarding PCOS/Pregnancy... anyone with PCOS get pregnant naturally after losing weight, or did you still have to go the fertility drug/drilling route?    — Karen R. (posted on May 15, 2001)

May 15, 2001
Check out http://www.pcosupport.org/ or http://www.hmc.psu.edu/womens/research/pcos/womday.htm Yes, PCOS is Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome.... quick run down of some of it's symptoms: Obesity (apple shaped) Hirsutism (male patterned facial/chest/stomach hair) Alopecia (male patterned hair baldness) Ancathosis Nigrosis (dark gray or brown velvety skin patches around the inner thighs, armpits or nape of the neck) Depression (even when things aren't bad, you'll still cry!) Acne (sometimes cyst-like acne, on face and other areas) Skin Tags (around neck, under breasts, armpits) Amenorreah (absence or missing periods) Infertility (no ovulation of eggs)
   — Karen R.

May 16, 2001
I know this is out of left field because I'm a pre-op, but it is interesting. I was diagnosed with PCOS several years ago. For me, it was after I'd gained the weight, but it may have started when the weight gain started and just wasn't diagnosed till later. Anyway, for two years, no periods except when the docs gave me the synthetic pills. I also found a natural cream that would induce the periods. This is the intersting part. For another set of reasons entirely, I started getting ACUPUNCTURE. I've had regular periods ever since. It was very strange because for a while if I missed my acupuncture, my period would be late. Now they come very regularly, more than when I was a teenager. I've never really understood this but I really believe the acupuncture made me fertile again. It didn't help me lose weight though :(
   — kcanges

March 28, 2003
Hi Karen! I am a PCOS patient and had trouble conceiving myself. I had WLS after the birth of my son, he was 9 mos. old when I had it done. The surgery has helped my cycles to be regular now w/out bc pills, which I can't take now becuz they make me nauseated, along w/ the new patch! I do hit plateaus often and it could very well be becuz of the PCOS. It's just one of those nasty things we will have to battle for the rest of our lives unfortunately, since the insulin intolerance is a factor, along w/ all the other nice things it decides to do to your system. God bless you with a sweet baby, blowing baby dust your way!
   — Laura L.