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Gastric Bypass and PCOS/Diabetes



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Hey all, new here.

My doctors have been pestering me for about 10 years to have wls and, because of multiple reasons, I finally gave in this year and started doing the prep for it. We were approved last week and I have a surgery date set for 2/5/18.

The main thing that pushed me over the edge towards the surgery was that my husband and I really want to start a family. I have PCOS and a combination of type 1 and 2 diabetes, so my weight is a huge problem that (when combined with those other two) creates a whole host of fertility issues. Since we have to wait about a year and a half after surgery to get pregnant, and I'm 32 now, it was kind of now or never if I wanted to get the surgery done.

Does anyone have any experience w/ PCOS and wls? Did it help? My surgeon and I have chosen the bypass because it seems to have more history/research behind it and seems to 'help' women with PCOS, but I'd love to hear some personal opinions from women with PCOS. My surgeon has also said that the surgery seems to immediately help diabetics, even before any weight loss (they literally told me my sugars should start altering themselves days after surgery). Any experience with this?

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I had my RNY done over a month ago. I’m a T1D (type 1 diabetic) on an insulin pump & prior to surgery started to experience T2 insulin resistance. 3 days after surgery, I had to cut my basal rate by more than half! I went from 83units a day (without corrections for food & blood sugars) to 36units a day. My a1c prior to surgery was 7.6 (prior to surgery this was the best a1c I’ve ever had) to 5.8 (which is now the best a1c I’ve ever had in my 26 years as a T1D). Getting this surgery was easily the best decision I’ve made for my health since getting an insulin pump 16 years ago.

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I had surgery over a 4 weeks ago, before surgery I was taking 35 units of insulin in the am and another 36 units in the evening. After surgery, I was given insulin in the hospital and I took one shoot when I got home but haven’t needed it since. My surgeon had me fill a prescription of metformin but said I may no not have to take it and he was right. My blood sugar stays between 110-120 and I’m so happy to be off meds.


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That sounds great!

I've only just started on insulin about 3 months ago because my husband and I were planning on starting to try to get pregnant (before I'd decided on the surgery) and the medication I was on was not compatible w/ pregnancy. I can't take metformin- so insulin was my only option.

Currently I'm taking 37 units at night and about 30ish units a day (sliding scale for meals). Hopefully that will go away after the surgery then!

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I was honestly surprised at how fast & how drastically my insulin usage changed after surgery. The usage reduction was my major driving factor to get the surgery & yet I am STILL in shock at the changes for the better that I under went.

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I had my RNY done over a month ago. I’m a T1D (type 1 diabetic) on an insulin pump & prior to surgery started to experience T2 insulin resistance. 3 days after surgery, I had to cut my basal rate by more than half! I went from 83units a day (without corrections for food & blood sugars) to 36units a day. My a1c prior to surgery was 7.6 (prior to surgery this was the best a1c I’ve ever had) to 5.8 (which is now the best a1c I’ve ever had in my 26 years as a T1D). Getting this surgery was easily the best decision I’ve made for my health since getting an insulin pump 16 years ago.


That's amazing! I have a son with type1 -- he's 6'4", 220 lbs, always worried about his weight (and his hair -- he's 25 -- need I say more??). He's 50% me -- weight may be an issue in his future.


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I had surgery at the end of June and by the end of September all of my PCOS hormone levels came back in normal range. My endocrinologist was thrilled.



HW-292 • SW (6/29/17) 256.6 • CW 185.0

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Wow, this is all great news. Very encouraging! Like many people here, I'm sure, I've struggled with a lot of these issues all my life and nothing really seems to work, it's really amazing to think that this, despite how difficult it's going to be, might actually be a cure-all for many of these issues!

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My sugar and the need for meds stopped when I did the 2 week pre op liquid diet had surgery Oct 3rd 16 so I'm a year 3month post op. Bs is great. I also had PCOS but had a hysterectomy about 3 months before so I'm not sure how much it would have helped. Fertility was one of my initial goal when I started my weight loss journey. I do feel my hormones are more regulated but it could be partial hyst, of by pass related.

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I was on metformin for years for PCOS and as a prediabetes preventative measure. I had mini gastric bypass surgery 3.5 months ago and since then I've been having issues with low blood sugar. I went off the metformin a few weeks ago, but continue to be low (3.1-3.5) throughout the day about 2 hours after meals. It has me a little worried as hypoglycemia can be a side effect of WLS. This could be late dumping although I am consuming very little overt sugar. I likely have to be more judicious with my glycemic index and get more Protein. I'm seeing my GP this week to discuss this.

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I have/had pcos and it has mostly resolved since the bypass. I have gotten pregnant twice in my life, both times while on low/no carb diets. It seemed to put my body back into a normal cycle lowering my blood sugar and testosterone. Also, most women experience super-fertility within the first 6 months after surgery...many getting pregnant while not planning or expecting they could.

https://www.babycenter.com/0_seven-facts-about-pregnancy-after-weight-loss-surgery_1504874.bc

Good Luck!

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