I'm new here and I am looking into bariatric surgery in the next few months.  I'm 5'11" and weigh 284, my highest ever.  I was diagnosed with PCOS at age 17 and am now 31.  I've tried several diets; SB, Atkins, Optifast etc and always lose, but then regain everything I lost plus more.   I gained over 70 lbs going through two rounds of IVF in the last two years that were unsucessful.  I'm desperate to lose weight, be healthy and become fertile.  I've been leaning more towards the Vertical Sleeve surgery, but I just wonder if it will be as effective as the RNY in the weight loss and the alleviation of PCOS symptoms.  Can anyone give me any scientific data, share stories or give me any advice?  I'd appreciate any input to help me make an educated, informed decision.  Thanks!

Hi Stephanie,

I am new too.  I also have PCOS and I am schedule to have the sleeve done in April.  After doing  plenty of research I did decide to have the sleeve instead of the gastric or the lap band.  And like you I also want kids.  I didn't find out that I had PCOS until I was 25 or 26.  I will be 36 in April.  I started having irregular cycles when I was 17 but was put on birth control and it did help until I was around 21 or 22...still didn't know that I had PCOS and like many other PCOSers my cycle isn't normal to this day but after speaking with my PCP and my surgeon I do think that the sleeve is better for PCOS.  Although you will use weight slower than the gastric but faster than the lap band,  it will help your horomones get regular alone with your insulin.  Just remember to exercise and follow the diet plan for which ever route you go.  I'm not a doctor but after all of my research and talking with drs this is what I think will be best for me and my PCOS.  I hope this helps.

Good luck.

I'm looking to have RNY in the next few months.  I was HEART SET on the sleeve but until I sat with my pcp and my obgyn.  They stated that RNY was best for pcos and most other obesity related comorbities.  (I'm diabetic as well). 

Also, you're very similar in structure to me.  I'm 5'9 284

I hope this helps. 

Well I am 6 1/2 months out from having RNY and it has been such a blessing. I think that you need to rely on what your medical team... and i say team, because you need to discuss it with your PCP, OB, and Endocrinoligist.... as well as surgeon. I had talked to all my dr's and they all agreed 100% that lap band is not a good choice for PCOSers. I asked about DS and Sleeve, and they stated that RNy was the best choice for correcting the insulin resistance Issues that come along with PCOS.  Most of PCOS symptoms have gone into "remission" as PCOS never goes away. But as Idrop the weight, the symptoms have gotten better...

Again, you have to decide what is best for you, and rely on your medical team that you trust.... but continue to do your own research so you can make an informed discion.

My stats:

RNY 7/29/10
Starting weight 242 / current weight 158
Height : 5'1"

Good Luck on your Journey!

Erin  

Thanks.  The more research I've done, the more I'm starting to be convinced that the sleeve is probably not going to be as effective with the PCOS.  I still need to talk to my Dr. again, but I think I'm leaning toward  the RNY now.  Sigh.  Decisions, decisions.

Both my endo and my surgeon recommended the RNY for me b/c of my PCOS.

Hey gals! I am 8 years post op of my RNY. When I had my surgery my comorbidities were PCOS, Diabetes, and fibromyalgia. I would say within 6 months of surgery my A1C was in the normal ranges and I was completely diet controlled until 2 years ago. My cycle never went to a "normal" state and I have had a healthy child who is now 5 during this time. Had some difficulties during my pregnancy, but over all it was good. I gained 18 pounds with him and it was all gone within 2 weeks of having him.

I have since been diagnosed 2 years ago with Lupus and Sjogrens which has landed me on steriods and made me gain 45 pounds. i am getting off the steriods now and hope to see the weight dwindle. . My RNY surgery has been a huge blessing when it comes to my health issues. I would do it again tomorrow. It did not help regularity AT ALL!! I have had the mirena IUD incerted (still allows you to have kids) and it has helped TREMENDOUSLY with the cramping, heavy cycle, and regularity.

Be well and I hope this post helps!!! Good luck with your surgeries!

Thanks!  We actually sound a lot alike.  I too have the PCOS and fibromyalgia.  I'm apprehensive about the RNY because of the malabsorption issues.  I am already depleted in things like Calcium and Magnesium etc that is contributing to the Fibromyalgia.  That's why I was leaning towards the sleeve, but it seems that the more research I do, the more I'm finding out that the RNY is more sucessful in treating the weight issues and insulin resistance issues accompanied with PCOS.  I have an appt. to talk to my surgeon about these topics in the next couple of weeks.  I KNOW PCOS is the biggest factor in my weight problems.  No family history or anything!  It's evil and I want it irradicated!!

I had the RNY 2/2008 and lost 200 pounds with it, ive regained some though, carbs are evil even post op, and post hysterectomy, having the parts yanked out doesnt cure pcos unfortunately. I think because RNY has such a dramatic effect on diabetes, its the one most likely to help pcos, a diabetes like illness, but theres really just no information out on it yet I dont guess. thats the best info I have its worked im still under 300 pounds (used to be 435 so still a win) and with any luck ill get back down closer to 200 again just have to knuckle down, im losing again and even 3 years out its way easier to diet with the rny than it was before it, just seems hard cause you sorta think ok i had the surgery im done yay... well your not its still something that I will have to work at apparantly perhaps always but its worth it...

hope that helps

According to the 3 doctors I have now seen, it is not the surgery that matters here, what matters is your ability to live with the surgery you have and what surgery you can't live without!-

They ALL said that in their opinions the best success for loosing most of the symptoms of PCOS came from either the DS or RNY.  Also my OBGYN recommended those for PCOS, before the sleeve and band, because of the malabsorption. She also told me it never goes away, the symptoms just do.  Meaning you will still have PCOS, but your chances will still be good to have a baby.

Just the doctorly advice I was given.

For me- I chose the DS because it was what is going to be the best thing for me.

Best luck on your journey!
JJ

So I discussed this topic with my surgeon's PA and asked their opinion about the VSG vs RNY  and which is more recommended and effective at combating PCOS and insulin resistance.  The PA said that they are not sure why, but when the upper portion of the duodenum is bypassed, it triggers something that improves and sometimes reverses insulin resistance and the risk of Type II diabetes.  Sooooo, think I'm going with the RNY after all.  Thought about just doing the VSG and seeing how it worked, but I'd rather get cut once then have to go through this all again if it wasn't effective.  I have my pre-op physicl and clearance for surgery next Tues and then everything goes to the ins. co.  Talked to the surgeon's office today  and they said my surgeon is scheduling out to Mid-May. boo.  Was hoping for sooner, but maybe I'll just take that time to get mentally prepared and enjoy all the things I won't be able to for a while post op.  

I am not sure. I'll tell you that I had the RNY and lost 90 of the 100 pounds I needed to lose which was a major (MAJOR) miracle. I am still gaining back though; I lost 90 of the 100 I needed initially, and in seven years I have kept 80 Of it off. It is a daily struggle though -- but I CANNOT complain. I would do it tomorrow in a heartbeat!

 I am 39, have PCOS and I am scheduled to have surgery March 29th.  I am choosing the Vertical Sleeve.  I think any kind of weight loss will help with symtoms of PCOS.  I have alot of joint and muscle pain not only caused from being over weight, but from being a figure skater when I was younger.  So I know not all of that pain will go away after I loose weight, which is why I choose the Sleeve in case I will still need to take NSADs for pain relief.   I know that you cannot take them in you have the RNY.  Good luck to you, I hope whatever you choose works best for you.

I have joint and muscle pain from Fibromyalgia and I've worried about not taking NSAIDS as well.  That's one of Pros to me about the VSG.  I know of course, that losing weight will help with that pain as well but when I have flare ups of pain, Motrin seems to work wonders.  We'll see.  I want to talk with my surgeon more about it.  Good luck with your surgery!!  How exciting for you.

I had my pre-op clearance physical today with my PCP and discussed how I"m still trying to figure out which surgery I want.  Of course she referred to my surgeon for that advice, but at least I'm one step closer.  I'm stil weighing the pros and cons of each surgery (VSG and RNY) and trying to decide which one is right for me.  *SIGH*  I wish there was a definite answer. 

I'm right here with you sista!! Not to mention you won't have the defficiancies that RNY have. I'm horrible at remembering to take my medications so the SLEEVE was and is the best choice for me! 

~Mandi 

I have PCOS and I was pre-diabetic with high blood pressure.  My surgeon suggested that RNY was better.  Two good friends of mine had RNY and it worked for each of them pretty well -- although I have watched them abuse it sometimes too. 

My HMO (Kaiser, No. California) will really only do RNY or VGS and not Lap-Band or D/S.

Sometimes I wish I had looked more seriously into the VSG but having the RNY forces me not to eat sugar and it keeps me honest.  Giving up Advil and switching to Tylenol was not a big deal for me -- I only take it for headaches and monthly cramps.  

I went with RNY because I trust my surgeon and it is the surgery that has the most data behind it.  Nearly everyone in my support group has had the VGS not the RNY -- but I don't think anyone in my group was a PSOS patient too.

I think I made the right choice with the RNY.  At least it feels like the right choice. 

I agree that asking all of your doctors (PCP, Endo., OB.GYN, etc) is a good idea although they very well might all have different opinions!

I haven't posted in a while.  But I have a date!!! I decided to go with the RNY and I'm having it done July 12th!!  I wish I could go with the VSG but I'm afraid that with my insulin resistance I'll have a problem gaining the weight back and that insurance won't pay for a revision to the RNY if it's needed.  So here we go!!  Talked to my best friend today out in Philly, she had the RNY done on December 23rd and is down 90 lbs!!  That's fast.  I'm hoping for that much in a year.  It gives me hope.  If she can do that well, I'll be happy to do half that good.  So excited AND nervous!!

I did a lot of homework and chose the DS, it has the best long term stats, and I don't mind taking the extra vites. The dietary flexibility has also improved my quality of life. So far, so good. I would do it all over again.

I am set for my VSG in just over a week.  When discussing my options, I knew I was set on VSG and wanted nothing to do with RnY or LB.  But, my biggest concern was that of how it was work with my PCOS.  My bariatric team all noted that both the RnY and VSG have similar results in relation to PCOS symptoms and that both results are excellent.  They did mention that, out of the gate, RnY results would most likely be quicker (by a few pounds a month)....but, I'm okay with that.  I guess I'll see in a couple of weeks!  Good luck to all!