ObesityHelp

 Hey there. This is the first time I have clicked on this forum myself.  It is normal to be scared.  Did you also look into the DS procedure (Duodenal Switch)? Just asking because I changed my mind twice after doing the research. I totally recommend getting wls no matter which you decide.  It has changed my life.  I even work with fitness people now and I am 8  months post op.  8 months!

Hey. I am a 30 year old female who has suffered with PCOS, sleep apnea, arthritis, and infertility due to my weight. I had always been fat. I was a fat child, teen, and young adult. I had the RNY almost 2 years ago and am MUCH healthier and happier. I don't regret it.

My apnea, arthritis, etc is all gone; however, I still have PCOS. My OBGYN and bariatric surgeon both told me I will ALWAYS have it. It is not weight related. The PCOS can cause weight gain, but it is a condition where your body creates the cysts. The only "cure" is removal of the ovaries. I have seen no difference in my PCOS since my RNY. I still cramp, bleed heavy, have bad PMS, and one of my ovaries is not even the right shape anymore.

I went through 2 years of fertility treatments to become pregnant and know about the frustration/pain that PCOS can cause. I don't want to discourage you, but please don't think PCOS will go away if you lose weight. You might become more fertile, but you will still have the condition and cyst formations.

Also, during my RNY the bariatric surgeon used the laprascope and took pictures of my ovaries to share with my OBGYN. Ask if yours will do the same. It may be beneficial.

Hope this helps.

I too am looking for help with my PCOS along with other things but my doctor told me there aren't that extensive of studies out yet to show the correlation between the PCOS and WLS.  Now what he did tell me is that doctor's are thinking there are 2 kinds of PCOS.  One is caused by being overweight -- it slows down metabolism and then hormones change and this is where too much testosterone kicks in and the insulin resistance kicks in for weight.  Now the other kind is just that you are wired wrong (so to say).  They don't know how to tell until obviously if you lose the weight and it goes away or if it stays.  I think there must be a difference too because some women don't get their period and some do with PCOS. 

Hopefully soon they'll do some research on this disease that affects so many women and start to get answers.  But since they don't declare people dying from it I assume its on the back burner. 

I'm also in the same boat.  Need to get these 100+ lbs off to help with my back/pelvis.  My thyroid medication has helped solve my infertility and anovulatory cycles.  I have hirsutism but without high androgen or testosterone.  After having 6 children I am ready to get in the best shape of my life!

Hoping to get a June surgery date for RNY-bypass.  Do those of you that have had WLS still have to take your Metformin or other insulin resistance medications?  We just confirmed my Insulin Resistance and hypoglycemia earlier this month.

I am guessing that the weight loss will be a lot slower and probably not get down to a BMI of 25.

The only 2 options I'm getting is either RNY-bypass or Carbohydrate Resistricted Diet w/o fruit.

I don't know what impact WLS will have on my severe PCOS but I do know what losing 250 pounds will do for it.  Back in 2003/2004 I lost that much on my own.  (Of course I gained it all back along with an additional 25 pounds.)  What happened was that the constant, heavy bleeding I have when I am super morbidly obese stopped and I returned to having normal monthly periods like a "regular" woman.  So, based on this prior experience, I expect the same thing to happen after WLS.

I personally never had the POCS. But I wanted to add a little bit of encouragement.. I have two friends in a local support group that both had POCS pre op- BOTH got pregnant within 6 months after RNY. One had tried for 13 YEARS to have a baby and now has two beautiful little girls the other, never really tried to get pregnant- but surprise :) along came a beautiful baby girl unexpectedly.  So although I don’t believe there are solid studies, I know it can happen. And since it seems that it can- if you don’t want a baby be” careful” ;) post op! Good luck to you...
As for failure.. if you remember- and keep in the front of your mind- that this is only  a tool- not a cure (something I sadly had forgotten until coming back here on the boards) you will succeed.