PCOS Question

For all those women that suffer with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, did you notice a change in your symptoms after weightloss surgery?

I have PCOS.  I have had it for years and years.  My PCP, and OBGYN (who's also a endocrinologist) recommended that I have RNY or suffer the consequences of continued uncontrolled weight gain, and insulin resistance.  I got scared of getting diabetes, so I had the surgery two years after the recommendation. 

For me the weight loss has been very sloooooow, and I have already had two 3 week stalls, and a 2 week stall.  Before surgery I was a carb Nazi, and even now I am just as bad if not worse.  I still have cut out from my diet white flour items such as bread, noodles, and so called low carb "wraps", rice and potato items.  I also watch sugar very very carefully.  I barely eat anything with sugar... but I do eat Atkins protein bars with sugar alcohol as well as some other items with sugar alcohols.  I eat PCOS / Atkins friendly veggies such as broccoli, spinach, bok choy, and chinese cabbage.  

I guess what I am trying to tell you is that the symptoms have sorta slowed a bit, and I am happy to have lost the weight i have lost, but the PCOS will never go away, even with the RNY.  I hope no one told you that it will.  If you had a problem with not getting your period, I am told that should resolve, but I take my Depo shot, so I don't get it anyways.  I noticed that the hair in wierd places has slowed and is less... but again I am told that will never go away.

My suggestion to you would be to avoid bad carbs at all costs, drink the 60+ ounces of water every day, eat 25+ grams of fiber a day, and eat / drink your required protein every day and you will loose the weight.

Maybe there will be someone *****sponds with brighter happier news... but thats the hard truth from me.

Thank you.

I have PCOS and am almost 2 years out. The majority of my PCOS symptoms are gone or greatly improved. I am off all of my metformin (actually never took them again after I got home from the hospital), periods are like clockwork most of the time (even though I don't LIKE them. LOL).

Thank you and congratulations on your weightloss and improved health.

My symptoms are all gone or greatly improved as well!

I have a friend with PCOS. I often wondered if wls would help since weight gain is a symptom of something that wls wont cure.
My friend had RNY 8 years ago, lost 60 pounds or so but is now bigger than ever before. Not sure what failed in her case.

Some experts think that weight gain causes PCOS, so it's really a chicken/egg thing. I, personally, have had a very easy time losing post-op.

 Heather I like your Dr Who avatar!

one of my symptoms with pcos was my extremely irregular cycles. they would usually be around 60-90 days and most of the time i would have to take provera to induce a period. i had surgery on 1/14/11 and while my cycles were still long right after surgery i started getting my period on my own, with no provera. this last cycle, however, was an amazing 29 days!!! on my own! with no provera! i couldn't believe it! i have never had a cycle that was that close to "normal". i have lost 88 lbs and feel great! i am no longer on metformin, actually stopped it 2 weeks before surgery. i do limit carbs and sugars but most of that is because i am terrified of dumping!