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!

Congratulations on the birth! I hope your baby is healthy and happy. That's actually a beautiful reason to gain weight hehe in my case I was very depressed and could not stop "cheating" my sleeve. I started having chocolate and fast food for the first time in 3 years! Was not pretty O_O

I admit, the excess skin and hair loss hit me the hardest. I did find that my hair grew back healthier when I cut a good chunk off. That was a very hard moment for me because I always had straight waist-length hair. Now it's mid-length and wavy, it's so different but I do like the way it looks. I think what made the transition difficult was how often my family/friends commented on how thin it looked. I discovered that using Lush products (specifically their Big shampoo and Roots hair treatment) made a nice difference on how my hair looks/feels. Honestly, I'll take no hair over feeling like I used to at my highest weight.

I forgot to mention my current progress with excess skin, which I have on my belly/thighs/arms. Weight lifting has helped the arms/chin significantly. I carried a lot of my weight in the middle (like a lot of women with PCOS) so there's a lot of drooping there. I'm hoping to have cosmetic surgery in a month to remove the tummy skin, and possibly reshape my arms/chest next year. I found a surgeon that I love and who is actually encouraging me to take it slow. It's a long process, but I'm enjoying life in the mean time.

All in all, I'd say I don't regret getting this surgery. It sparked the best changes in my life and I was able to do amazing things I've never done before in my life! I finally crossed learning martial arts and traveling (comfortably without the belt extender) on my list.

Hi!

Baby is doing well. She keeps me busy! But that's her job, along with pooping and eating.

About hair, I had waist length fine straight hair too. I was so gutted when it started falling out. I lost about 1/2 which was quite noticeable. So I cut it to a pixie. It was nearly a year ago, now, it's growing back and it's thick again, although part of that is pregnancy hair. I will lose more again in a couple months (about 4 months postpartum), but I don't lose much after pregnancy.

I'll never regret my surgery either. I tell folks i didn't do it to be X weight, I did it to not be Y. I'm so much happier now.

HI,

I know its hard to actually open up about our embarrassing struggles. I'm so happy I've found this group. I have severe PCOS and just starting noticing pieces of strands around my chin area. I know a few people that were taking specific dosage of certain Vitamins while having PCOS and helped them somewhat with their symptoms and weight. Are there any specific vitamins and dosage that anyone here took after the VSG surgery that will help?

Edited May 11, 201412 yr by KittyKatt

I'm new to this app an I'm so excited for the big day, an hopefully for the positive pregnancy test. A little about me...

My name is Krystal, I'm 26 an in the Houston Texas area. I was diagnosed with pcos when I was 19, but little did I no I have had it all my life. I have never had a normal period. Mine won't come for 2-3 months but then when it does it will last for a whole month! Not non stop, it will be there in the morning an by lunch will be gone, then later in the evening would be back. It's so bad that I have to wear a pad all the time cause I never no when it's going to come!

Me an my hubby have being trying to conceive for about 7 years using chlomid an metformin, but it was a no go. My fertility specialist recommended the sleeve because of the great results of alot of other patients. So... I am scheduled to have the surgery at the end of the month 5/28/14. I start my liquid diet on the 14th

@@Krystal0528 Glad u set ur date already and I know lots of sleevers who have conceived much easier after the surgery weight loss. You will do fine and u WILL get that very special moment of the "positive" once u try. Just know that we are all in this together. Good luck with ur liquid diet. Keep me updated. =)

I'm new to this app an I'm so excited for the big day, an hopefully for the positive pregnancy test. A little about me...

My name is Krystal, I'm 26 an in the Houston Texas area. I was diagnosed with pcos when I was 19, but little did I no I have had it all my life. I have never had a normal period. Mine won't come for 2-3 months but then when it does it will last for a whole month! Not non stop, it will be there in the morning an by lunch will be gone, then later in the evening would be back. It's so bad that I have to wear a pad all the time cause I never no when it's going to come!

Me an my hubby have being trying to conceive for about 7 years using chlomid an metformin, but it was a no go. My fertility specialist recommended the sleeve because of the great results of alot of other patients. So... I am scheduled to have the surgery at the end of the month 5/28/14. I start my liquid diet on the 14th

Congrats on your date! Good luck to u. How long do u plan on waiting before you try for baby? Either way keep us posted. I'm only 1 month post op and I'm trying so hard to wait for at least a year but any longer and I may change my mind....lol.

My doctor said I should wait at least 12 months to 18 months before trying, but I'm gnna wait just the 12. I think it would be fine since I see so many woman on here getting pregnant after just a few months. I'm on my liquid diet now, an counting the days down! How had ur success been this past month?

My doctor said I should wait at least 12 months to 18 months before trying, but I'm gnna wait just the 12. I think it would be fine since I see so many woman on here getting pregnant after just a few months. I'm on my liquid diet now, an counting the days down! How had ur success been this past month?

I'm doing well so far and cannot believe I got my period this week and that's 2 in a row!!! That hasn't happened for me in years! I can't believe I actually got it. Its been 8 months since the last and 11 months before the previous. I hope this is good things to come!!!! Whhooooohooo!!!!

All of these stories are so inspirational. I am new to this site and been diagnosed with PCOS in May of this year but I had it since around 9 years old (around the time of puberty). I had to tell my doctor about PCOS and a year later she finally put 2 & 2 together when she seen my blood results and that it was high in male hormones. She also said I was prediabetic.

The facial hair is no joke. I had a mustache in the 4 grade! Had to sneak and use my fathers razor because I was too embarrassed to tell my parents. Plus, I didn't want the judgement (got that already from my toxic school environment and neighbors). I also had sooo much hair on my legs. It was and still is terrible. In middle school my stomach started to get bigger and started to hang, my skin became discolored (Acanthosis Nigricans) and I was developing more stretch marks. The previous doctor I had said my discolored skin was from asthma, which didn't make sense...

In my teens, around age 14, I started to workout. I was healthier than everyone basically in my surroundings (and most Americans at the time). I did weight training and cardio. I didn't pay attention to my diet because I thought only exercise would do the trick. I know better now, lol. Despite all of my efforts I stayed at 225lbs, no matter what I did. Then I increased my cardio and weight training and only lost 7lbs (218 lbs.) in 4 years (Age 14-18). I was so obsessed with losing weight I was doing 5 exercise tapes back to back everyday with no rest days (I know better now). My cardiovascular health was amazing. I beat a guy who LOOKED more physically fit than me in a bike race TWICE IN A ROW. He was so embarrassed he told me not to tell anyone after, hehe!

I got frustrated and stopped working out because I didn't see any progress and was thinking "what's the point" followed by constantly hearing about women, after 30 yrs old or after having a child, gaining the weight back and not being able to lose it. So I thought, "well, since I am going to gain the weight back in 12 years, why bother". I was also being told by various family and friends things like "not everyone is meant to be skinny" (I dont like the skinny look. I want to be thick and fit like a bikini competitor), "our family has big bones" (meaning big frames. its true but I like the fit/curvy look), "You're not fat, you're thick". Many people misuse the word thick. Fat isn't thick. I was sick of being told those things, as if there is no hope for me. Very discouraging!

Anyways, I am 25 now and started looking into VSG a few days ago. Even though I turned vegan 2 months ago. I don't think I lost anything. I started doing moderate intensity interval training, ordered Body Beast for weight training and ordered another fun dance workout that I like (interval training, weight training and dance workouts are my favorites and I don't get bored). It seems my back rolls went down (i could be delusional) but I know my stomach is getting bigger no matter what I do. I barely go out because it's hard to look presentable, by my standards, and my clothes are not fitting as well.

My insurance covers it and the loose skin removal 6 months after the initial 18 month post op. If your body weight is maintained and the skin is a health hazard (of course it is!), then you'll qualify. I want quality of life and being overweight isn't giving me that. I feel disgusted with myself when I look in the mirror at times and it not being in my control is aggravating. I also know I get discriminated against because of my weight (and other things ) at times (shopping, trying to make new friends, dating, people disrespecting and ignoring/shunning me, avoiding eye contact etc). If I can do this to make my life just a little bit easier, I will. I want to be at peak health, I want my PCOS symptoms to subside or vanquish completely and I believe this tool will help with that goal. I am also vain and prefer to look the way I feel. All in all this surgery seems like hope based off of what I've been researching so far.

I am trying to find women who have PCOS 5+ years post-op but can't. If you know of any Blogs, Vlogs, Websites, people on here, or if you fit that description please refer them to me. I would like more information on everything post-op and

• if they gained the weight back
• how they maintained their weight after 18 months
• what they eat specifically
• how they get enough Protein and stay hydrated all day, everyday
• making fruit smoothies that have everything you need and drinking that some days (protein, Fiber, minerals, Vitamins, amino acids)
• how to not mess up with cravings
• working out in the winter
• avoiding hair loss as your body becomes normal
• how to get in nutrients from the liquid diet
• their overall experience and how things changed for the better
• do they measure themselves or weight themselves because muscle weighs more than fat and the scale can be deceptive
• do they calculate their actual BF% (Body Fat Percentage)

It also seems that it depends on the surgeon and how much of an artist/perfectionist he or she is, with years of experience and the number of VSG surgeries they've conducted, so you won't have complications resulting in death, infection, etc. Correct me if my perceptions are wrong.

Thank You for reading

I am 3 months out from RNY and have only lost 38 lbs. it's very discouraging, and I am sure it's because of the PCOS. Slowly, but surely, I guess.....

Take a look at my thread Kristen's Journey. I'm almost a year post-op but I update there at least monthly. I just posted a before and after of my neck. Amazing results!

http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/320791-Kristen%27s-Journey-From-Pre-Op-and-Beyond

Edited October 17, 201510 yr by KristenVSG2014

Hello, I was diagnosed with PCOS 12yrs ago. I have almost every symptom of it and I got cancer from the over production of estrogen from my PCOS as well. I am cancer free now but still so heavy. I just started my 6 month journey towards surgery and have lots of question. I want to know why some people chose the sleeve over bypass and BPD/DS (switch) which has the longest success rate for overall weight loss. Why are you losing your hair after surgery. (this one majorly freaks me out cu my hair is the only thing on me that I love) I'm struggling to decide which procedure i should pick for the surgery. I want the most results. I weigh 378 and i got alot of weight to lose. I am 5'9'' though. from what i'm reading the weight loss for women with PCOS getting the sleeve isn't that great and I want to know if the women who have the other two maybe lose more weight and all. I have so many question. I just want to make the right choice. Can anyone help me.

I have PCOS and got the band. Big mistake. The band and sleeve do not address your metabolic issues like gastric bypass. People lose their hair, I think, because they don't consume enough protein. My hair loss was hardly noticeable. BPD/DS was not available to me--my weight was "only 275."

Following.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

SORRY FOR THE DUPLICATES!!!!!

Edited January 30, 20188 yr by PCOSSUCKS
duplicate