I am currently 23 years old and have been struggling with my weight for as long as I can remember and my PCOS since I was 13 (although I wasn't diagnosed until 17, looking back I see the signs). I weight approximately 200 lbs. and I am 5'1. I have tried metformin, calorie counting, low carb, no carb, paleo, salad diets, fad diets, Victoza, the gym for 2 hours daily, you name it. Even with all of the things I have tried I can not go below 185. I also suffer from acid reflux and erosive gastritis. I am very nervous, but I think I am making the right choice. Anyone else have similar experiences or advice? THANK YOU!

Yes, my love! Many of us have been there. In fact, I think we've all been there in one way or another! You are very brave to consider this tool to help you-- and it will! I've done Weight Watchers and South Beach, as well as hours upon hours of personal training, and I only got down to 185 too. I even came to the point where I thought, maybe that's it--maybe I should just start accepting myself at this weight. But my health was impacted, so I looked into surgery. And I am SO GLAD I DID! It is so nice to step on a scale and not feel on the verge of tears. It's nice to fit into clothes that were too tight a couple of months ago. It's nice to see my health improving. It's just so nice to look and feel better!

23 Is a great age to start looking into this option! Imagine a year or 2 from now where you could be! I would recommend talking about this with your PCP first, see what s/he thinks about it. And Good Luck!

My endocrinologist recommended it to me and my PCP confirmed that she thought it was probably my best option. I have done a ton of research and no matter how much I read and look into I haven't found many people with negative stories. I have also been at that "maybe this is just me" stage, and really for me its not about looks, its about health. I want to have kids one day without taking medicine just to possibly conceive. Thank you for the post! Congratulations on your weight loss and good luck with your journey!

You are fortunate you were diagnosed very early - at least you know why you are the way you are....I was diagnosed with PCOS at the ripe old age of 42. I have lived with excess hair (feeling like a freak), irregular and very heavy periods (even though I told every doctor I came across), problems getting pregnant, unexplained weight gain, etc.

It wasn't suggested by my PCP, but once I told her what I was doing she was so happy. She said, "You have worked so hard to lose weight and I believe you will not be successful on your own. You need this and I think it's the best thing you can do." (My only wish was that we would have talked about this years ago - I've wasted a lot of time!)

I'm 10 weeks post op now - I'm off Metformin now (I stopped taking it the week before surgery - doc approved). I feel so much better - I have more energy. I said before surgery that I hope that my only regret is that I didn't do this sooner - it is.

Best of luck to you - you will know if and when this is the right decision for you. You will feel it.

Thank you mcbutterpants. It's good to hear a successful outcome! How are things going now? I recently picked a surgery center and my endocrinologist is writing my recommendation letter so nervous but so excited!

xoraechel21xo - We are at the exact same stage in the process. I am 30 and I really feel like now is the time to take action. I have not been able to lose weight naturally and my PCOS symptoms have gotten worse. I hope I can have the surgery in may. So exciting, but 10.000 thoughts about how life will be afterwards, good and bad. I guess we just have to take the plunge! :-)

Thank you mcbutterpants. It's good to hear a successful outcome! How are things going now? I recently picked a surgery center and my endocrinologist is writing my recommendation letter so nervous but so excited!

Sleevesup, I am hoping to do mine in May or June as well! Keep me posted on the process and how it's going! Good luck!