katieem
I have had PCOS (or metabolic syndrome) since my early twenties. I have the skinny ankles to prove it (the only part of me that is skinny). Probably triggered by heredity and dieting. I first dieted when I was 14. I had gone away for the summer and apparently gained some weight because my PE teacher pulled me aside and told me that I had better go on a diet. I was 5'6" and 138 lbs. Oh to be that fat again! And so the diet yo-yo started.
I was lucky enough to have 3 children despite the PCOS although the last took 2 years to concieve. But of course, I gain 25 unmoveable pound with each pregnancy. I thought this was a failure on my part but my endocrinologist recently told me this is typical with PCOS.
I was resigned, "okay", with my weight, which ended up at around 248, until about 6 years ago. I was turning 50, I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol as well as depression. I decided to do myself a favor and lose some weight. I knew about the hyper-insulinemia by now but not how stubborn it made the weight. My doctor tried me on metformin with no sucess.
So I went on a diet. It was really good diet. Medically supervised, with a protein supplement drink, low carb, low cal. I lost 25 lbs. I felt so much better. I could do more things physically, like sit on the floor! (I'm a therapist and I work primarily with children so sitting on the floor was something I wanted to be able to do). I maintained most of the weight for almost a year but it was slowly creeping back on. By two years, I had gained it all back and then some. I tried it 4 more times the last time being Jan 08. I lost 14 lbs and was fighting intense carb craving for six months afterwards. Some good things came out of my dietings. I gained some good habits that will help a lot later. I also realized I could not lose weight with diet and exercise alone.
In the meantime, I got a new doctor. My old one retired and took me a couple of tries to find this one. I was diagnosed with bursitis in my hips which was making it really painful to exercise. On my second visit, she suggested WLS. I told her I would consider it but I had always been one of those people who was ignorantly prejudiced against it I remember a client I had about 5 years ago who was considering it. I was very professionally supportive but wish now that I had been less biased.
Anyway, I did research WLS a little but decided it was not for me. Then in July, when the corisone shots in my hips wore off and I had gained back all the weight from the January fiasco, two things hit. The first was joint pain in my whole body! The second was menopause. I couldn't exercise at all, my metabolism was slowing down even more and I was a mess, physically and mentally. My blood pressure medication had to be increased and I was scheduled to see a rheumatologist. In September 08, I did some more research and made my decision. I was going to get WLS.
In October, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and osteo arthritis and started on two more medications. I also got approval from my insurance to see the surgeon for a consult, the psychiatrist for an evaluation for surgery and start the 6 months of nutritional counseling. In Novemeber, my thryroid went haywire and that is still not diagnosed. I saw the surgeon, decided on LapBand. In December I started my nutritional counseling and am working on incorporating what I am learning into my lifestyle.
I figure I will have met all of my insurance company's requirements by the beginning of May. I may have approval by June. Unfortunately, I can't take time of work in June. (I work for a non-profit and budget decisions get made in June). So I am hoping by early July 09 I will have my band!
