Hi everyone! My name is Pamela and I am 27 years old. Oddly enough, I was very thin through most of my teenage years, and very athletic. I played a lot of sports in high school. As I got closer to my senior year, I noticed that I was putting on a little weight. I didn't think much about it at the time.

About a year after I graduated, I got married to my high school sweetheart. By that time I had gained over 50 lbs and was at about 200 lbs. I was very concerned about how fast the weight came on. I was also having some female problems too. I went to my doctor and he did several test on me to find out if anything was wrong and the results shocked me! He diagnosed me with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). I had never heard of this before. He told me it was a hormonal disorder and one of the side effects was weight gain. He also told me that I would probably have trouble getting pregnant. My heart dropped when i heard this. I always thought when i was ready i would just be able to have a baby. It took 6 years before we were able to get pregnant and by the grace of God we now have a beautiful, healthy boy.

I've tried every diet there is, I think, and nothing ever worked for me. I was 330lbs at my heaviest. I have been blessed with the opportunity to get the band. I've been banded for about 10 days and i am doing great. I am sooo excited about the journey ahead. I lost 13 lbs on the pre-op diet and have lost 16 lbs since my surgery. I know i rambled but i just wanted to introduce myself and see if anyone else has PCOS that has been banded and can tell me about your experience. Thanks for listening!

Pamela

Banded 9-20-07

330/299/150

:rose:

Kissmygrits

Good luck with your surgery today! You are in my prayers. Please let us know how you are doing as soon as you feel up to it. Take it easy.

:gluck::woot:yes...good luck kissmygrits!

cheers to the new you!!

4jin, good luck on the approval process. You are in my prayers as well.

:grouphug:thanks so much Charise,

I feel the good vibes and hugs....

you guys are the BEST!!!!

I FINALLY got my 3rd fill today. Hopefully it will give me the restriction I need. I'll be on liquids for 3 days. Thank you to everyone for all the support. It's so great that we've all become friends.

Kissmygrits, I'm praying you have a speedy recovery.

I got my 3rd fill on Tuesday. I can really tell a difference. I don't have as much restriction as I would like, but I can finally tell that I have a band. I have 6cc in my 10cc band. I really hope that I see the scales start moving again. I am much more optimistic than a week or 2 ago.

Amy

Thanks for the prayers and well-wishes. They must have gone straight from your lips to God's ears because I thought surgery was a snap! I got banded yesterday at 8:30 am and got to leave the hospital at around 2pm. I'm so glad the doc let me go home early (there's nothing like being in your own bed when you're not feeling well). I was most concerned about anesthesia awareness (I know, I know), but after grilling the anesthesiologist and actually seeing the BIS monitor, I only remember taking a deep breath and five seconds later some woman saying, "surgery is over."

Anyway, I have found all this to be a million times better than I thought it would be. sure, I'm sore, etc. but not unreasonably so (feels like I did a million situps and have severely sore muscles). The gas is painful, but not much more so than the gas I normaly get from PMS. i've been walking a lot around the house and trying to drink. I got stuffed on a popsickle! A popsickle! I felt like I had eaten a huge plate of pasta.

4Jin-- keep your head up, the waiting period to hear back from insurance feels like forever, but like childbirth, once you get approved, you'll forget all about it. Good luck!

Buttercup-- 4 pounds is awesome. it's good to know that you have done so well already! Gives me hope!

kissmygrits!!! you are doing awesome!!!

even your long posting...trails evidence that you are!!!

I am glad it was smooth sailing...

Thanks for the spirit cheer...I am happy to hear that it is like childbirth....phew!...I've done that !!!

:whoo: Congratulations Kiss. I am so happy to hear you are doing well. Just remember to walk, walk and more walking, it really helps. Keep us posted on your progress.

Klpdbl,

Congrats on your fill.

>

I got my 3rd fill on Tuesday. I can really tell a difference. I don't have as much restriction as I would like, but I can finally tell that I have a band. I have 6cc in my 10cc band. I really hope that I see the scales start moving again. I am much more optimistic than a week or 2 ago.

Amy

I'm glad you can tell a difference. She put half as much as she usually does, since the holidays are so close, she didn't want to risk an overfill and it be Christmas. I now have 5cc in my 10cc band. Good luck to you.

Thanks for the prayers and well-wishes. They must have gone straight from your lips to God's ears because I thought surgery was a snap! I got banded yesterday at 8:30 am and got to leave the hospital at around 2pm. I'm so glad the doc let me go home early (there's nothing like being in your own bed when you're not feeling well). I was most concerned about anesthesia awareness (I know, I know), but after grilling the anesthesiologist and actually seeing the BIS monitor, I only remember taking a deep breath and five seconds later some woman saying, "surgery is over."

Anyway, I have found all this to be a million times better than I thought it would be. sure, I'm sore, etc. but not unreasonably so (feels like I did a million situps and have severely sore muscles). The gas is painful, but not much more so than the gas I normaly get from PMS. i've been walking a lot around the house and trying to drink. I got stuffed on a popsickle! A popsickle! I felt like I had eaten a huge plate of pasta. [/quote

I'm so glad you are doing well. Take it easy and I hope you have a speedy recovery. Take care of yourself.

Hi everyone!

I have been havign computer problema and just had an opportunity to get back online. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

Pamela

How is that third fill going? I get my first one on january 3rd and I am so excited! I am having to rely on will power to stay on track and that is fading fast.

Take care.

Any other bandsters with PCOS out there?

Hi, I just found this thread.....I'm PCOS positive....LOL

After several years of electrolysis, the best thing that ever happened for me was laser hair removal....then whoops - I fell in love with Mr. Right and decided i wanted children after we were married and was told by my OB/GYN it was going to be difficult. I went on a low carb diet before my wedding to lose some weight and lo and behold I found out I was prego 3 weeks before my wedding (I had no idea as I hadn't had a period in months-maybe even years - I couldn't remember) and now have a beautiful 3 year old daughter) so PCOS has made me fat, given me excess hair, but I seem to have managed to accomplish quite a bit in spite of it.

I am noticing that my weight loss is way slower than most on this site, but it was next to impossible before the band. I would spend months at the gym and dieting to only MAINTAIN - now with the band I have lost 30 lbs in 7 months! This is the best thing I have done for myself (and family) and i'm so happy to be here....I look forward to reading more about those of you in similar situations and your struggles with this condition.

Renee

Hi everyone!

I have been havign computer problema and just had an opportunity to get back online. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

Pamela

How is that third fill going? I get my first one on january 3rd and I am so excited! I am having to rely on will power to stay on track and that is fading fast.

Take care.

Glad to see you back. Today was my first day back on solids and I do feel some restriction. I just hope it lasts. Believe me, once you get decent restriction, it will get better. Until then, just do the best you can. I'll be happy just not to gain at this time of year.

Hi, I just found this thread.....I'm PCOS positive....LOL

After several years of electrolysis, the best thing that ever happened for me was laser hair removal....then whoops - I fell in love with Mr. Right and decided i wanted children after we were married and was told by my OB/GYN it was going to be difficult. I went on a low carb diet before my wedding to lose some weight and lo and behold I found out I was prego 3 weeks before my wedding (I had no idea as I hadn't had a period in months-maybe even years - I couldn't remember) and now have a beautiful 3 year old daughter) so PCOS has made me fat, given me excess hair, but I seem to have managed to accomplish quite a bit in spite of it.

I am noticing that my weight loss is way slower than most on this site, but it was next to impossible before the band. I would spend months at the gym and dieting to only MAINTAIN - now with the band I have lost 30 lbs in 7 months! This is the best thing I have done for myself (and family) and i'm so happy to be here....I look forward to reading more about those of you in similar situations and your struggles with this condition.

Renee

Hi Renee! It's nice to meet you. I had a hard time getting prego, but now I have a son that is 22 months old. I also did a low carb diet and lost about 50lbs, I think that really helped me . I hope the side effects of PCOS get better for all of us as we lose weight. You're doing great, thanks for sharing your story.