PCOS as Co-morbidity?

[Ourlifecomplete 17]

I am 5'6-5'7 and weigh 235ish. I do not have any of the typical co-morbidities most places list so was wondering if anyone with a lower bmi was approved with just the PCOS. I have that and borderline diabetes but nothing else. I will be trying to have the surgery done at a Military Treatment Facility, once we move back to the sates.

[nicolesix 15]

You would join this site! No surgery for you ????

[slimgal2015 28]

I have pcos, but it is not considered a comorbidity. But border line diabetes is, if your physician certifies that u have diabetes. My bmi was 39 for the last 5 years. Even though i technically do not have any comorbidities i was approved

[Ourlifecomplete 17]

Nicolesix hush! lol

slimgal so my pcm needs to say i have diabetes even if its just borderline?

[Bluesea71 698]

Hold up! I have good news for you! My starting stats were exactly like yours. I'm 5'6" and was 236 when I inquired about wls back in January 2014. My bmi was under 40. Typically a BMI under 40 requires two comorbidities but having a diagnosis of PCOS alone qualified me as I didn't have anything else. There has been so much research the last decade showing the high correlation between insulin resistance in PCOS leading to diabetes that wls is considered prevention surgery. Good luck with the process. I had surgery 10 months ago and weighed 154 pounds this morning. Best decision I ever made.

Wanted to add - I had a long documented history of PCOS on my medical charts spanning decades. I'm assuming you have a paper trail documenting this diagnosis? It will make the process of getting approved easier.

Edited February 19, 2015 by Bluesea71

[Miss Mac 6,261]

Obesity Comorbidities

To follow is a list of comorbidities (additional conditions or diseases) related to obesity which may help you in qualifying for weight loss surgery. It is from NIHS.gov (National Institute of Health, a federal entitity which uses this list to establish co-morbidities for insurance companies). My insurance is BCBS Federal Employee, and this list was used for me. Polycystic Ovaries is on the list.

• Family history of heart disease
• Family history of stroke
• Family history of diabetes
• Family history of heart attacks
• Hyperinsulinemia
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Coronary-artery disease
• Hypertension
• Migraines or headaches directly related to obesity or cranial hypertension
• Congestive heart failure
• Neoplasia
• Dyslipidemia
• Anemia
• Gallbladder disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Degenerative arthritis
• Degenerative disc
• Degenerative joint disease
• Recommended joint replacement from specialist
• Accelerated degenerative joint disease
• Asthma
• Repeated pneumonia
• Repeated pleurisy
• Repeated bronchitis
• Lung restriction
• Gastroesophageal reflex (GERD)
• Excess facial & body hair (Hirsutism)
• Rashes
• Chronic skin infections
• Excess sweating
• Frequent yeast infections
• Urinary stress incontinence
• Menstrual irregularity
• Hormonal abnormalities
• Polycystic ovaries
• Infertility
• Carcinoma (breast, colon, uterine cancer)
• sleep apnea
• Pseudotumor cerebri
• Depression
• Psychological/sexual dysfunction
• Social discrimination
• Premature death in the immediate family
  

[Ourlifecomplete 17]

I do have a long carted history since I was 15! Plus I went through fertility treatment because of it! So crossing my fingers! I also have a family history of diabetes and heart problems. Ill bring tis info to my pcm for my referral for sure!

[Stephlynn1015 3]

Also FYI, bariatric surgery done in an MTF is covered by Tricare 100%.

[banded2004 31]

I am waiting for Surgery and have been approved in Canada. My BMI is 34.5. 5'1" and 180lbs.

[Ray92 91]

My doctor recommends the surgery for anyone with a BMI of over 35. He refuses to do it however for people under that BMI because he says that it is a more complicated decision then. He also does the surgery under the circumstances that your weight has caused health complications in your life. For me it was tired knees, elevated cholesterol (still in the normal range but about to break through) and endometrial hyperplasia caused by my PCOS.

He said that he even has some women who specifically came to him to do the surgery in order to lose weight and reduce their PCOS symptoms in order to get pregnant.

I read an article about the benefits of bariatric surgery with PCOS and obesity. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3334389/ Here is the article. It is suggesting that we really look into bariatric surgery as one of the treatment plans for PCOS related obesity and MS.

My uncle is a gynecologist and he told me straight up one day, if you want to control your PCOS, you need to lose weight and if at this point, you can't do it then maybe it is better to just get the surgery done. You are exponentially more likely to be affected by an obesity or PCOS comorbidity than any complications from this surgery. Especially considering that the sleeve has been relatively successful, only 0.08 mortality rate and very low complication risk.

That is why I finally took the decision. Sometimes I can have severe anxiety issues and I just couldn't deal with the pressure of feeling that at any point I could become pre-diabetic from my weight and from my PCOS. MY weight wasn't just affecting my physically, it was seriously starting to deteriorate my mental health.

EDIT: I would also like to add that there are several genetic obesity related comorbitidies that run in my family which only further fueled my anxiety. I now feel 10000x better knowing that I am controlling it.

The list includes: Cholesterol, my father got it at an early age and he wasn't even overweight, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart attacks, sleep apnea, strokes. One of my uncles has the trifecta: type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol. Sometimes I couldn't sleep at night imagining myself becoming ill like him.

Edited November 3, 2015 by Ray92

[banded2004 31]

I was 194lbs when I was sleeved in Canada 08/10/2015. I am 5'2". I have PCOS and have had a life long battle with obesity. My highest weight was 266 at one time. My endocrinologist said I was an excellent candidate for the Sleeve. Good luck to you!

[Tia Jade Staples 0]

I'm in Canada as well. I'm 5'10 and 240 and my bmi is 35. They considered my PCOS and infertility a co-morbidity.

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