Hi.  My surgery date was May 28th, so I'm a newbie.  Neither my surgeon, my PCP, nor my pharmacist had heard of Riomet.  But my Blue Cross advisor had, and recommended it to me, so I brought it up with all these people.  I, too, had been on extended release Metformin (500 mg a.m., and 500 mg p.m.)  What's interesting is that my PCP took me off Actos after the surgery.  But I did start on the Riomet -- although I do believe I'm on a reduced dosage.  My blood levels are good so far.  But the one downside to Riomet that I have experienced is that it is the foulest tasting medicine I've ever had!  I've learned to have a small cup of water with it.  I hold my nose, take the Riomet, and immediately down the water.  It's the only way I can get through it.  However, better that than crushing a huge Metformin pill.  Good luck!  --Sharon

Hi there!  Welcome to the board.  There is a lot of great information and support available here and on some of the PCOS forums.  The best advice i can give is to do your research and take your time to make the decision that is best FOR YOU.  It's good that you are going to meet with an endocrinologist to discuss your options. 

I have had PCOS symptoms since my teens (irregular, nearly nonexistent periods, hirsutism, obesity) and was officially diagnosed in my mid-20's.  I don't want children but as my weight shot up and my health declined I began to look at my options.  The prospect of early diabetes was more frightening to me than the surgery itself- and I was honestly scared about surgery too!  It took me a couple years of researching and not getting anywhere by less invasive treatment methods.  I tried meds, diet, exercise... you name it.  I finally chose to have the roux-en-y.  I'm glad I did it.  I am ten months out, 115 pounds down and am feeling much better.  My PCOS symptoms are not entirely gone but more manageable.  My cycles are finally regular, "normal" cycles for the first time ever. 

Good luck to you and let me know if I can answer any questions or concerns.

I would give your gyn a call and see what they recommend.  I did not have a period immediately after surgery, but began having erratic cycles a month or two out.  I had a couple of cycles that lasted me over 2 weeks- I can't remember for sure, but I want to say that this occcured between months 3 and 5.  I contacted my gyn about this but she didn't intervene in my case because things corrected after a couple of cycles and my bleeding was fairly light.  Your hormones WILL be on a bit of a roller-coaster as your body goes through so many rapid changes.  Good luck to you.  HTH.

I have no advice but wanted to say thanks for posting this - my surgery is coming up and I'm glad to know this is a possibility.  I have to 'force' my periods now with progesterone so I'll be sure and have one before my surgery. 

Hey!  I am 28 years old and have had pcos for as long as I can remember.  I've never had a regular period.  I had gastric bypass surgery 15 weeks ago and I've lost 86lbs.  My periods were the same as yours.  I already have normal periods and they only last 5-7 days.  I thougth OMG!  It's a miracle.  My period actually stopped by the 7th day.  I've met with an endocrinologist before my surgery and it was all the same thing.  Made me see a nutritionist and put me on Metformin.  Which I was not on that stuff for long because of the terrible side effects.  One of the primary reasons I decided to have surgery was that my husband and I could have the opportunity to have children when we decide to do that.  I would so go for it, but do your research.  I researched for 2 years prior to my surgery.

Mandi