PCOS anyone?

Just wondering if anyone else has PCOS and used WLS to help with the symptoms.  If so, did it work?  What procedure did you have?  I have PCOS and my doctor has been recommending surgery for over a decade now.  I have not seriously considered it until a few months ago when I realized my life is limited due to being severely obese. Since then I have hope that there is a way for me to feel healthier and thus happier in life. Any comments or thoughts are welcome.

I had severe PCOS I had RNY done July 13 2012.  At the time of surgery my insulin level was 8 times normal I now have normal insulin and normal cholesterol and the best thing of it all after ten years of infertility I now have a wonderful 11 week old son because after surgery my body started to work again if you have any more question do not hesitate to send me a message

Thank you for your reply and congratulations on your new baby!  Did it it help with other symptoms such as hair loss, excess hair, hormonal fluctuations, mood problems, pms, energy level, sleep apnea, high triglycerides, etc?  I can see you have lost over 200lb, which is so amazing - good for you!  My endo, nutritionist, and bariatric doctor have all told me the same thing: surgery.  I have refused for the past decade thinking it was too extreme to even consider. Besides, I could still get around well and was very active. Well, last year I tore my miniscus cartilage in my knee while running and have been in pain with every step since then. Gained back the weight I had lost and then some.  Again. This summer I was unable to do most of the things I love because I just do not have the energy and most things hurt my knee and back. So I have osteoarthritis now in my injured knee.  Yay. Going to work and coming home take up 98% of my energy now so I have nothing left for anything fun. And now I am very limited as to what physical activity I can do - i have already re-injured my knee twice by exercising too much. Even biking is out as it hurts too much.  So, I have two options: Continue with diet and what little exercise I can do at this weight or have WLS to try to correct what is wrong in my body so that I can heal/become lighter, healthier, and hopefully happier. I have felt a lot of shame because of my weight over the years, always such a huge struggle, losing and then gaining if I did some extreme diet and exercise and then gaining it back, or, even worse, not losing at all, which is what has been happening the past 10 years or so.  People don't understand and think I just need to try this or that diet or that exercise or whatever.  I have tried EVERYTHING and I keep going up on the scale. This summer I was thinking that by the time I am 50 I will probably be in a scooter unable to walk, or maybe dead from a heart attack or stroke. This thought makes me angry and I intend to fight to get my health back, fight to be healthy again. Anyone else had a similar experience where they reached a "breaking point" where they had to make such a choice?

I have pros...I'm scheduled for surgery sept 20.  I am hoping it will help with the symptoms.  Sorry I can't offer you any advice or guidance on that.  

Hi there!  I am still waiting for my orientation, but I have read some encouraging articles about how WLS cures many symptoms of PCOS such as weight issues, insulin levels, hormonal imbalance. Did you endo refer you? The first time someone mentioned it I totally freaked out and thought there is no way. But I am so worn out and tired and I just want to feel better after nearly 30 years of these PCOS symptoms.  Ughh. I am hoping it will help with my sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, obesity, pms, and mood and energy problems.  Are you looking to get rid of any symptoms in particular?  Right now I am taking Glumetza, Spironolactone, and Diane-35 to help with symptoms. Are you taking anything?  One question I have is whether we can still take meds after surgery. Not that I want to have to take them but just to know.

I'm not on any meds, I have excess hair, weight issues, fertility issues and some hormone issues but not bad enough to warrant meds.  Plus I have the 'pms and mood issues.  I'd love to see that and the hair go.  I swear I have to pull my chin hair every other day.

Oh the hair, it was sooo bad before I started my meds.  I had to shave every single day, that is how fast it would grow in.  And if I waxed it would last maybe 3 days tops.  I still get those few annoying chin hairs growing pretty fast though.  I would love to be med-free but my case is too severe for that right now.  Maybe with surgery I will get some relief without needing the meds. I hope so because there are no other meds to help.

I have PCOS along with insulin resistance. I have not had a test to determine if the IR has gone away as I'm not sure I'd do well with the liquid sugar drink.

My symptoms were really only infertility and hair on my neck/chin. The hair was reduced a little bit and I'm not sure about my fertility as I'm not trying to get pregnant.

FYI I had RNY in May of 2013.

I do know that PCOS increased your risk of other diseases and although the weight loss/comestic part of the surgery is great it's WONDERFUl to know that my risk of diabetes/heart disease etc is much much lower.

Did you get it done at the OH? I think I recognize your surgeon's name.  If you don't mind, how long did it take for you to get from referral to surgery?  How was your experience over all?

Yes I had my surgery in Ottawa. Dr. Mammaza is one of the three surgeons there at the moment. He was wonderful. I actually met Dr. Raiche at my consult but because I asked for a surgery date further out then she had offered me I got to pick the date and thus ended up with Dr. Mammaza.

Overall the process was great and the staff were wonderful. I have been attending the Weight Management Clinic since 2003 and never had any issues.

I was referred in July of 2011 by Dr. Dent. (He was my supervising physician when I started at the clinic). I had surgery in May of 2012.

Let me know if you have any other questions.