Question for those who have PCOS, and who have been sleeved already.

My question is for those who have PCOS, and who have already been sleeved.

I know how losing weight helps PCOS, bcos I lost 71 pounds prior to getting my sleeve, two weeks ago.  All of my PCOS symptoms improved.  

My question is... with PCOS, one of my symptoms is thin hair.  I was wondering with the sleeve, you lost weight... how did this affect your hair?  Did you still lose more hair, as is common with weight loss?  My doctor told me to not worry about hair loss.  He said as I lose more weight, my PCOS symptoms will continue to get better... and will counteract any natural hair loss that stems from weight loss.  I wondering if you found this to be true?  Since I already have thin hair, I am concerned about it.

Next, I used to take spironolactone for my PCOS, as well as 500 mg of Metformin (I do not have diabetes).   Wow, to spironolactone!  When I started taking it, I noticed a HUGE improvement in all of my PCOS symptoms!  My disappointment is, my Bariatric surgeon's PA, took me off of it.  He said spironolactone is a diuretic and I can't use it when I am on a liquid diet.  Okay, well... I hope this means I can continue it after the liquid diet is over.

Question to my PCOS sleeved women.... what meds are you on now?  Can you still take spironolactone?  I know metformin is okay, bcos I was cleared to take 500 mg a day for my PCOS.  And, I only take metformin for PCOS.  

I hope we have some PCOS sleevers here.  Thanks!

http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/481230

 PCOS drugs stopped in month 3 following my sleeve. My hair, thinning. I've lost some hair. I take Biotin every day and use Nioxin from my hair stylist.  My hair is thin to begin with and she helps keep it trimmed and even. 

Good luck... Thin hair that will grow back and a large bottom that will not come back. Pretty good trade for me!  

Please know that this IS NOT NORMAL from what I've seen... however, my hair is a hot mess!

I actually have to war a wig... it is dreadfully thin (it was normal thin before)... my surgeon has never seen it this bad.. so I am an exception.  There are pics in my profile...

I'm not on any meds... but my PCOS symptoms aren't really any better.  Sigh.  Still totally worth it though!!!

I am almost 3 months out.  No major hair loss yet.  I have not needed any meds since surgery.  Spirinolactone would be impossible now, as it will lower your blood pressure and mine is already low.  No met since surgery and my periods have been completely normal.  Don't worry about the spiro until you see how your body reacts.  You may not need it.

So I have PCOS and like another poster said my hair is a HOT mess as well. Very thin up top and coming out more so right now. I was put on spironolactone just recently and I have low blood pressure just like another poster stated. It is used for BP in some patients but from my research and the paperwork I received with this medication from the MDs office if you have normal or lower BP it will not lower it anymore. Even my MD reassured me of this because I was concerned.

I have noticed the hair growth on my chin decreasing ever so slightly but I do hope with some more weight loss that it will decrease even more. I was taking metformin but my OBGYN took me off this stated he has not found any research showing metformin really helps and he specializes in PCOS and infertility. *shrugs*

Good luck. I need a wig as well so if anyone has any suggestions where to purchase one Id love it :)

My insurance covered it... seriously check out my pics... I was amazed at the options that are available... I'm on my second system... I only needed a partial one at first, but now a full... the surrent one was somewhere around $1,200... but with the proper diagnosis from my PCP it was covered... and I had already met my dedutable with surgery, so it was free to me... both of them!

I go to a specialty place that deals with a lot of cancer patients as well...

Feel free to PM me... I'm happy to share my experiences... Hair loss SUCKS... but it really helps to have alternatives that are, while still a total pain in the ass, pretty amazing. 

I'm on spironolactone for PCOS and was only required to stop it for 48 hours prior to surgery and the day in the hospital. It is such a mild diurectic that they ok'd me to start back on it when I got home. 

I was diagnosed with PCOS 20+ years ago, but I have the other set of symptoms--bad skin, weak nails, irregular periods, weight issues, horrible PMS, etc. I never had the facial hair or the thin hair.

My periods get lighter when I lose weight. However, this last month I just skipped my cycle--worries me because that has not happened in years. I used to take metformin but my digestive system could never adjust to it. After a year, I was taken off of it.

My hair has come out in handfuls, much like a chemo patient. PCOS hasn't helped in that regard at all.

I was on metformin and now I am not.  I don't take Sprinolactone, I take Aygestin.  My hair is definately starting to fall out, it seems like everytime I brush my hair a big handful comes out.  But, the up side of that is that the facial hair is lessening too.  So, I'll take that LOL.  Also, my periods have been MESSED UP.  

Prior to surgery I was on no hormones, I had weened myself down off the Aygestin (Norethindrone) for surgery, and a few weeks after surgery I started spotting.  By the time my GYN got the ok to start me back on hormones I had stopped, we chalked it up to a fluke.  Then about 6 weeks post op I started BLEEDING, I use all caps because that still does not do what I was doing justice.  Hemmoraging might be better.  The doc put me on 10mg twice daily of the Aygestin for 5 days then 5mg every day...I never stopped.  Finally after 7 days of non stop horrendous period, he took me off all the hormones for 5 days and I stopped.  I bled for 14 days straight...stopped for 10 days...then started back.  He bumped me from 2.5mg to 5mg and we're hoping it stops now, if it doesn't I have to go and game plan with the doc. 

Becareful with Spironolactone post surgery.  It can mess with your potassium.  

Good luck!

My doctor took me off of metformin and spironalactone a few days before surgery... y weight loss was stalled forever after surgery.. my endocrinologist put me back on both of them... and it started back up..

and i was type 2 diabetic (not anymore.. however i'm still insulin resistant)

you should be able to continue it after the liquid diet..

there have been a lot of issues with my doctors communicating with eachother.. surgeons office, endocrine, family doctor, all of them.. i've decided just to listen to my endocrine.. quite frankly i like her more, she is closer to me than everyone else,and she's the one that sent the referral for bariatric surgery.. and all of that good stuff..

my hair loss hasn't gotten any better or worse. but i've been more regular and my acne and hirsutism has gotten a lot better since wls..

I've been on metformin since i was  9 for insulin resistance... but i'm on 850mg 2x a day now, along with 50mg a day synthroid for hypothyroidism.. then 50mg 2x a day of aldactone (spironalactone) a birth controll, and vitamins.

pick one doctor to listen to and stick to them, once you'r off the liquid diet after surgery.... unlesss they're all really good with comuncation.. they'll just toss you aruond back and forht. and it sucks.

good luck!