Hello, BariatricPal Community. I am new and need advice and guidance!

Aiyah · September 8, 2015

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

tssiemer · September 8, 2015

I hear people talking about PCOS and looked it up but I'm still not sure I understand what it is. :-/

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Aiyah · September 9, 2015

@@tssiemer After 75 years of the medical industry knowing of it, no one knows what actually causes it but the symptoms are horrible from it. I personally believe it's GMOs. Since Monsanto been in business since 1901 and PCOS been around for 75 years, it makes sense. Especially with this country's government being notorious for some shady business they've done in the past (and are still doing), I wouldn't be surprised. Plus, some FDA and Monsanto employees (who use to work in the federal government, look it up) are lobbying non-stop to make sure GMO's aren't labeled. Kind of like the NRA when it comes to guns. I try to eat as clean and organic as possible...