I thought maybe those of us with PCOS need our own ongoing thread and place to go for our specific issues and concerns. If you've been banded and you have PCOS I think those of us in the waiting or research stage really need your advice. Has it been hard(er) to lose weight even with the band? Do you follow specific dietary guidelines that are helping? Are your symptoms improving?

Let's get together and share our questions and/or experiences!!!

Polycystic ovary syndrome: Abbreviated PCOS. hair growth. PCOS is a disorder of chronically abnormal ovarian function and hyperandrogenism (abnormally elevated androgen levels). It affects 5-10% of women of reproductive age. PCOS is also called the Stein-Leventhal syndrome.

Women with PCOS do not ovulate -- they do not release an egg every month -- and they are at significantly higher risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer of the uterus (endometrial cancer). Much of this risk can be reversed by exercise and weight loss.

Medication is generally prescribed to induce regular periods, thereby reducing the risk of uterine cancer. For acne and excess hair growth, the diuretic spironolactone (Aldactazide) can help. And for women who desire pregnancy, clomiphene (Clomid) can be used to induce ovulation.

Studies have indicated that diabetic medications that are designed to improve the action of the hormone insulin may benefit women with PCOS. Long-term trials of these insulin-sensitizing drugs -- such as Avandia (rosiglitazone), Actos (pioglitazone), and Glucophage (metformin) -- for PCOS are underway. The results appear promising. A type of surgery called a "wedge resection" in which a piece of the ovary is removed also helps some women with PCOS.

The cause of PCOS is unknown. However, the ovaries of women with the disease characteristically contain a large number of small cysts. Hence, the name polycystic ovary.

Other common names are polycystic ovary disease, polycystic ovarian disease, and POD.

Common Misspellings: polycystic ovary syndrone, polycistic ovary syndrome, polycistic ovary syndrone

i do not have PCOS anymore thanks my Lap Band surgery..

and i got pregnant without Metformin 11 months after surgery..

Pinkmary, congrats that's awesome about your weight loss, getting rid of pcos and your pregnancy.....And for the reminder to me that i may need to double-up on birth control for awhile! lol I've got my hands full already!

Mypov, we have the same band doc! He's amazing. They are the best in Utah

Anyhow, I had PCOS my whole life until I lost about 50 pounds. I know it has disappeared. All the symptoms have disappeared. Blood sugar and triglycerides normal now. Periods back to normal... The weight loss can fix it!

Puddin- I took a look at your before and afters- you are so gorgeous! I would love love LOVE to be rid of PCOS. In fact, knowing the health problems that pcos can cause in my future was a MAJOR motivation for me going through with the surgery.

I really like Dr. Hansen. When they wheeled me into the OR the last thing I remember is the nurses telling me that Dr. Hansen was so great and they'd trust him to operate on them any day!! Then it all got blurred in with the christmas music they were pumping in the room and I was out. :faint:

I've also emailed the staff asking questions and they've always gotten back to me in MINUTES. SO glad to have found them!

Puddin- I took a look at your before and afters- you are so gorgeous! I would love love LOVE to be rid of PCOS. In fact, knowing the health problems that pcos can cause in my future was a MAJOR motivation for me going through with the surgery.

I really like Dr. Hansen. When they wheeled me into the OR the last thing I remember is the nurses telling me that Dr. Hansen was so great and they'd trust him to operate on them any day!! Then it all got blurred in with the christmas music they were pumping in the room and I was out. :faint:

I've also emailed the staff asking questions and they've always gotten back to me in MINUTES. SO glad to have found them!

Thanks for the sweet compliment! I'm sure as you lose the weight the PCOS will either go away or diminish. And yes, Dr. Hansen is fantastic. But I have been MORE impressed with the staff. They really, really care about you.