I started this topic to keep track of my success with VSG surgery while having severe PCOS (all the bad symptoms including excess hair, hair loss, bad periods, cramps, pain in ovaries, mood swings). I noticed that there isn't too many information on the VSG experience with PCOS, so I thought I'd post this publicly for future sleevers curious about what to expect.

8 weeks post-op (10 weeks "dieting" if you include pre-op) my period seems to have normalized. I think this is due to the weight loss (55 lbs) but mostly to all the exercise I did. I started walking daily for 30-60 mins 2 weeks before the surgery, and kept it up afterwards. After a few weeks, I lowered it to 4-5 times a week.

The first 3-4 weeks after the surgery, I actually had pain in my ovaries (probably cysts). Eventually this went way.

2 weeks after the pre-op diet (and a day after my surgery) I noticed that a majority of my mood swings were gone. It felt like the unsteady cloud in my mind had finally been cleared. I attribute this to all the exercise and lack of carbs. I've noticed that the white sugary carbs have very negative effects with my PCOS. My weight loss so far has matched others (and even exceeded non-PCOSers!) but I notice it stalling if I have bread/pasta. I limit myself to half a serving of toast/whole wheat wrap and one serving of either crackers/pasta/potato per day. I usually have less but never more.

When I have my period, I don't get horrible PMS like before.

I have an appointment for laser hair removal next week, I will keep you updated on the experience/success. My past experience with American Laser Center was a waste of time and money with no results, so I am trying a different clinic.

This is strictly my experience and it will vary among us, but I truly think that the activity is what's really pushing me towards greater success. It's hard but anything helps. I will post more under this topic in the upcoming weeks to let you know of further progress!

I am 20 yrs old And was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 16. I am able to have kids but I have a lot of thick black facial hair under my chin that I have to tweeze every other day and my periods are irregular I was sleeved march 6th and have lost 30lbs so far I am really hoping these symptoms lesson or just go away completely. I'm gonna wait a few more months And see if not i plan to get the excess hair laser removed

I'm sorry I haven't been on these forums in forever!

I kept promising to come back here and post an update but I'm just so busy with my "new" life. I just can't believe how much things have changed.

It's been 1.5 years. A little over 170 lbs lost.

For the first time in my entire life' date=' I'm in the "one-derland!" From 360 to 190 lbs. I can shop in trendy "normal" stores at the mall and no longer fit into the smaller sizes at some of the plus size stores I've grown attached to.

Started as a size 32-34 and now a size 12-14. I would be wearing mostly 10's were it not for all the loose skin that I have. Went to a lot of plastic surgeon consultations, and they say I am carrying about 8-12 lbs of excess skin. Don't let the fear of saggy skin scare you away from this surgery - i absolutely hate the way it looks but I hide it very well! Wearing things like spanx, tights, and leotards (really pretty ones are available for cheap on amazon.com) help conceal the loose skin.

Some added benefits of weight loss were that size of my fingers and feet shrunk as well. I didn't realize I would have to buy new shoes! Not like that's a bad thing

I had a lot of extreme hair loss. It got so bad that I regretted doing the surgery for a while. 6-12 months post op was the worst. But I am recovering because it's gotten thicker, healthier, and people have been complimenting me on it again (my hair used to be my fashion statement when I was ashamed of my body).

It may be hard to hear this, but believe me when I say this is true: I no longer deal with facial hair. I remember desperately reading through the pcos-related forums before committing to this surgery and wondering if my hair problem would ever go away. It did, but it was a result of laser and not just weight loss alone. Make sure to follow-up with laser hair removal appointments (now I touch up every 3 months for 75). It barely hurts anymore and is just a quick 20 minute session. I started doing my chest as well, and got some great results. I really encourage anyone battling with this to visit a qualified dermatologist. You don't need to regulate your hormones to get the results I did.

My weight has been stable. No regain so far!

I haven't had my period in over 8 months, my doctor says that is due to the extreme weight loss. All my labwork, including pressure, pulse, cholesterol, insulin is better than average now. I do heavy strength training three times a week and cardio three times a week with one day off. I have built a lot of muscle and that really helps with the appearance of saggy skin.

My advice:

-Don't fall back into the cycle of having sugar/fat/soda. I briefly slipped over the holidays and it took a tremendous amount of work/willpower to work my way back on track.

-Do both aerobic and anaerobic exercise.

-Get a good prenatal Multivitamin to make up for all the nutrients we may be lacking.

-For hairiness: laser hair removal and epilating became my best friends.

-Don't let the excess skin bother you or scare you out of doing the surgery.

I wish you all the best of luck, sending out a lot of love and support. Please message me if you have any specific questions, I am planning on checking back a lot more frequently![/quote']

Wow that's awesome congrats-- I'm about 6.5 weeks out-- how was your meal plan-- did u do low carb/cals

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Wow! Thank you all for the input for PCOS! I'm scheduled to have surgery in May 8th, and I am hoping my PCOS significantly improves or just goes away. Fingers crossed. Everyone's stories have been so inspiring.

I have PCOS but no hirsutism. Low thyroid can thin out my hair, so not looking forward to the hair loss stage of post vsg! My cholesterol and triglycerides were high before surgery and tomorrow I will have blood work for the first time since May 6 2013 sleeve date. Nervous yet exited to know the results... highest weight pre-surgery was 242 and now 204 :-) Can't wait to reach goal! Good luck to everyone~

I was just sleeved August 21st. The day I was discharged from the hospital, which was the next day, they told me to stop taking my metformin and spironolactone. Did anyone else have to stop their medication immediately. I think by me stopping taking them it is slowing my weight loss. I'm two weeks out and have only lost ten pounds. The scale hasn't moved in almost a week!

I was just sleeved August 21st. The day I was discharged from the hospital' date=' which was the next day, they told me to stop taking my metformin and spironolactone. Did anyone else have to stop their medication immediately. I think by me stopping taking them it is slowing my weight loss. I'm two weeks out and have only lost ten pounds. The scale hasn't moved in almost a week![/quote']

I was told to stop metformin. My lost was slow ~ you will fluctuate. It will come off, your body is adjusting to all the sudden changes.

Sent from my iPad using VST

OMG - I am so glad I found this thread.

My PCOS was finally diagnosed last year by my 8th doctor. I'm on Meformin now, but would love to not take it any more.

Glad I found this thread and know I'm not alone.

I was just sleeved August 21st. The day I was discharged from the hospital, which was the next day, they told me to stop taking my metformin and spironolactone. Did anyone else have to stop their medication immediately. I think by me stopping taking them it is slowing my weight loss. I'm two weeks out and have only lost ten pounds. The scale hasn't moved in almost a week!

I was on 1700mg of Metformin a day. After being told I wouldn't be taking it after the surgery, I stopped it a month before the surgery. Can't say I miss taking those tablets one iota, but I know the PCOS will impede my weight loss until things even out. I have thin hair on my head already, so the hairloss thing is scaring me silly... As for the fertility.. I can wait another couple of years before I consider making bouncing bubbas.. But I hope it improves my probability of conceiving. You're all wonderful ladies and the PCOS makes us special - given how much crap we've had to put up with - over and above the weight we've been carrying. I wish you all the luck in the world x

I'm so sorry for not knowing this but what is PCOS? I'm not familiar with the acronym.

PCOS = Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

PCOS = Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Ok...I was so confused. I'm so sorry you guys have suffered with this condition, I'm a woman it it seems that no matter what the procedure or case WE are the ones that have the hardest time. I'm happy you all are doing better. I don't have this condition but I am being sleeved 10/23 and having a double surgery..there's a large cyst in my in belly that has to be removed and so I will have to be cut from below my belly button to my pubic bone to get to the cyst. Then my Bariatric surgeon will follow..it's a long procedure but I trust God that I'm going to be just fine.

I will see you guys in the other side.

Kind Regards,

K

Update!

I all! I posted a long time ago.

So I am 31 weeks pregnant. I got pregnant about a year out from my surgery. I had reached my weightloss goal. I had my IUD removed thinking it would take months to get pregnant like it did with my other children with the fertility treatments. So to my surprise I managed to get pregnant that cycle! My cycles are still somewhat irregular, but yay for no fertility drugs, they're awful. So now I wait, have this baby and see what happens. We want a 4th baby (2nd since surgery) so we'll see what really happens. I credit my weight loss for an easy conception, but also cleaning up my diet and getting the crap out of my body, which I started doing well before my surgery.

Now I stress about losing the weight I gained during pregnancy. It's a bit of a mind game to watch the scale go up again. But I know it's healthy, I'm not gaining too much, right on track. (according to my midwife, not to my surgeon who seems to think a baby should only weigh 3 pounds or less after considering placenta, extra blood volume and amniotic fluid.)

Hey everyone - It's been a while but every often I remember to find this thread and post any updates. I remember what it was like before the surgery, searching through forums for anyone who shared my issues. I hope others can benefit from this.

It's been almost 3 years since the sleeve. I lost 180 lbs total and stayed in "onederland" for a year. 2013 was a very difficult year and I ended up gaining 30 lbs. I've worked hard on a low-carb and restricted sugar diet, and I'm almost back to my lowest weight. I'm still very active and enjoying life. My closet is filled with nice clothes and shoes I've dreamt of having, sometimes I just stare at my closet like it belongs to a different person. Where are the Old Navy 3XL sweats?? lol

Sometimes I get depressed that I had the surgery done, but only because I want to eat a lot but can't! It should be good news that the restriction is still there, but I sometimes feel so left out of social events. I have so many new people in my life who don't know that I used to weigh almost 400 lbs. Right now, the most I can eat is two small slices of pizza and some wings (which I only have once a week).

My hair is still thin (it used to be so thick and full of volume) but at least it's regained its shine and health. I don't have any bald spots, which was my main worry. It doesn't seem to be either falling out or coming back, which is annoying since I exceed my Protein intake guidelines all the time. But, it's something I'm willing to accept in exchange to finally wearing clothes from Forever21 or CharlotteRusse (yes it is superficial, but it's life-changing to be able to shop in the mall and try on clothes with friends. I haven't been able to do that my entire life).

I have very little hair on my face/chest after a year of Diode laser sessions. I only do a quick shave once every few weeks (compared to twice a day), and that's only because I like to be completely hair-free. I go in for a laser touch-up every few months. No medication ever helped with the facial hair. It will hurt badly at the first few sessions, but then it's practically painless and over in 10 minutes.

All the labwork comes out fine, and I recently discovered that all the hormones affected by PCOS are actually at a normal level for the first time ever. This was without medication, and simply keeping up with an active and healthy lifestyle. I still don't get my periods, but it did come briefly when I tried birth control.

My life has changed, not just because of this surgery, but because of how much I believed in myself. I believed that I could do that, and I tried my hardest to follow all the guidelines. I didn't break down when I failed, I just kept on going. I hope you remember to keep going through struggles, especially if you feel you are alone in this.

There were hardships and obstacles along the way, but that's how life is. I'm very happy with where I am right now. If anyone has any questions, please leave a comment and I will check back on this thread.

thanks for the update....good to hear the good and the bad and even the ugly...in my case that's the loss of hair..smh

I liked that update, thanks!

My hair did comeback, but I cut it off and started over. Would that help do you think?

My update....

I had my baby, and it was wonderful.

I gained 40lbs this pregnancy, and have about 15 left to lose to get back to pre pregnancy weight (I'm 7 weeks postpartum). I got my period at 6 weeks, which is a bummer, but it might be good, showing that I've managed ti kick the PCOS. I'm not sure. we'll see....