Question:
If I think I have PCOS but have not had it medically diagnosed yet, can that
cause a problem pre-op? In other words should I worry about trying to get it diagnosed before having the surgery or can that wait until after I have the surgery? I don't want anything to slow down the process of getting ins. approval and scheduling the surgery, I've already been waiting 7 months and haven't even had my first surgical consult yet. If this condition (and as of this time I don't even know for sure if I have it) will not cause any problems with having the surgery then I'd rather wait until after I have the surgery to worry about being tested for this. But, if this is something the surgeon should be aware of before operating then I will try to get testing done as soon as possible. I'd appreciate any feedback I can get. And yes I already know about the soulcysters website, that's what makes me think I may have PCOS even though I haven't mentioned it to my PCP yet. Thanks for listening. — Elva C. (posted on March 31, 2002)
March 31, 2002
PCOS is a Co-Morbidity- it can actually help you get approved (PCOS causes
infertility and an increased risk of diabetes and ovarian cancer). I DO
have PCOS, and have been diagnosed, but am not doing anything 'for' it
besides losing weight. That usually will help the problem, the medicines
just hide the symptoms (like using bc pill to force periods). If you will
get approved without being diagnosed with PCOS I'd probably wait until
after- one less thing to worry about, and like I said you might find it
kinda goes away with weight loss. Good Luck.
— Angela B.
March 31, 2002
PCOS that is UNTREATED can lead to cancer very quickly!!! There are several
women on this site who have had to have hysterectomies very early (mid
20's) in their lives. NO JOKE!!! If you are getting regular periods then
you are ok to wait until after surgery, but if you are one of the many
PCOS'ers who don't please get to the dr!! Not shedding your lining
regularly can and will lead to cancer!! Please take care of yourself!
Diagnosing PCOS involves some blood work and an ultrasound. Nothing to
worry about!!
— Allie A.
March 31, 2002
True, if anything it should just be added to another of your
co-morbidities. Should not hurt surgery, surgery will help it.....
— Karen R.
March 31, 2002
I have to disagree with a previous poster. While pcos is basically
incurible medicines to not just *hide* the symptoms, they help treat the
symptoms. It's like saying arthritis is incurible so do nothing for the
pain. If you are a woman who should be having a period and are not, it can
lead to cervical and uterine cancer. The tissue thickens the lining but
doesn't come out, it stays there causing future problems. I hadn't had a
period in two years and couldn't believe my first few periods. I won't go
into gross details except to say I soaked thick pads like they were
nothing, and the tissue was golf ball sized... yuck. Also the pill and
spirolacatone(sp?) can help with the facial and body hair, hair thinning
and other symptoms of too high testerone leading to enhance self
confidence. Some patients have had luck with glucophage and it has even
enhanced weight loss, since pcos can cause insulin resistance and make it
hard to lose weight, even on severe calorie restricted diets. Try
www.soulcysters.com for some excellent articles and message board postings
on pcos. If I were you I'd get it diagnosed and get treatment. As other
posters stated, since losing weight is one of the primary recommended
treatments for pcos it will actually strengthen your case for getting wls.
Good luck!
— Becky K.
March 31, 2002
I had all the symptoms, yet I was never diagnosed. I ended up having tubes
tied, an ovary removed, then a hysterectomy. Than God I had already had my
son! Go get it checked out, you don't want to have other needless surgeries
b/c of the ignorance of one doc. Mine just didn't connect the dots, BTW,
neither did I 8 ( But have you been approved? PCOS may make it esier to
GET approved! Just an idea! Donna in AL
— Donna S. C.
April 1, 2002
For myself, the BCP 'hid' my PCOS testing-wise for close to 16 yrs., but
NOT appearance wise. I got a period, which was good for the shedding, true;
however- everything else in my realm was unbearable. My tests were always
normal, but my appearance was not. This was extremely frustrating for me
and I could not get a proper diagnosis until off that damn pill! Once
diagnosed, I felt going back on the pill was a moot point, it wasn't
helping any longer (and this may happen- it will help at first in the
beginning, then possibly fail). I would also like to know if I am
ovulating, I would like to know my body is functioning somewhat normally. I
cannot do that with some medicines that are perscribed for PCOS- especially
if I am trying to concieve. It is a really tough syndrome to deal with, it
has so many facets- which all suck. Even having a hysterectomy (would it-
I would do it!) will not 'cure' it, as it is an Endocrine issue. Anyhow- I
too think you could use it as another co-morbid that will greatly improve
with surgery! I'm still trying to get on Metformin. i hope that helps me
as I am at my wit's end!
— Karen R.
August 20, 2005
I have PCOS also, every doctor i have ever been to for it , has always told
me to loose weight and everything would be ok. Which loosing weight is
harder than what they say it is.
— adelpha23marke
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