Hello! I'm new to this forum and my surgery is scheduled for mid-July. I decided to do this after struggling with my weight for 20 years. When I was 23 (20 years ago), I "got" PCOS ("Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome") and gained 50-60 pounds in about 6 months (which is a typical symptom of when women initially "get" PCOS) and then more after that over the years (I think the extra weight was from depression and laziness stemming from the weight). Until PCOS, I had a great shape. The doctors didn't know much about PCOS then and it took about 6 years and 7 doctors to finally diagnose me correctly. Unfortunately, there is really nothing they can do for PCOS but "kind of" treat it (off-label) like Diabetes. I have tried every diet, potion, pill, etc over the 20 years and work out (aggressively) and my weight has fluctuated but my lowest is still was a good 40-50 pounds from where I "should" be. I've decided to do the LapBand after talking with a friend and seeing her amazing results. She is 3 years out and has lost (and kept off) about 80 pounds and looks AMAZING! Like a size 4/6?

I'm writing all of this to ask if anyone else on here has PCOS and if they have had success with weight loss post-WLS regardless of their PCOS. I have read that when/if you can lose the weight, the PCOS will be resolved.... but that is the Catch 22, isn't it? So if any of you ladies on here have any success stories regarding PCOS and WLS - I'd love to hear them. There is a small part of me that is doubtful that this will work given the last 20 years... but then again, I've never done anything this drastic either. The doctors seem to think I will lose the 40-50 I want to lose and quickly. I hope (and pray) so! Its funny - when I go to see the doctor, they keep saying that I'm "small" and that I have a "low BMI". Hum... weird to hear since I don't identify with that for the last 20 years.

Thanks in advance for any success you can share! This forum has been very informative and encouraging.

What are NSVs?

I just wanted to note that I still need to take my metformin to loose weight even with the lapband w/ PCOS. I also have to avoid carbs on (which is easy on the lap band diet) or I don't loose weight.

However, right after the surgery I started having periods again regularly and they haven't stopped being regular since. I don't know what the surgery did, but it was like it reset my body.

I am pretty sure that if I was in a position to get pregnant, i'd be able to easily.

I just wanted to note that I still need to take my metformin to loose weight even with the lapband w/ PCOS. I also have to avoid carbs on (which is easy on the lap band diet) or I don't loose weight.

However' date=' right after the surgery I started having periods again regularly and they haven't stopped being regular since. I don't know what the surgery did, but it was like it reset my body.

I am pretty sure that if I was in a position to get pregnant, i'd be able to easily.[/quote']

Great point! I definitely steer clear of carbs and take my Meds as ordered!

What are NSVs?

Non-scale victories;)

Thanks so much for sharing your stories. I was banded in March and am down 33lbs. My pcos symptoms are slowly fading. Good to know there are others out there as frustrated as I was with the catch 22 of having a diagnosis that causes weight gain while the only "cure" for it is weight loss. Best decision I ever made!

Thanks so much for sharing your stories. I was banded in March and am down 33lbs. My pcos symptoms are slowly fading. Good to know there are others out there as frustrated as I was with the catch 22 of having a diagnosis that causes weight gain while the only "cure" for it is weight loss. Best decision I ever made!

Cntrygrl13: Yes. Very frustrating! Glad to hear you have had such great success. -33 pounds since March is great! Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing!