Hi everyone! I have read about several women in this forum who have PCOS. I thought it would be nice to start a thread so everyone can share their stories and just talk with others who are going through the same thing. Many people are not aware of all the side effects of PCOS and the daily struggles we face. Here is the link to my story http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f18/newbie-georgia-42048/

Hope to hear from you soon!

I have high praises for laser hair removal. I do have to say though that they person operating the laser needs to know what they're doing. The first lady I tried had it to high and my face got burned. It took me a while to get up the nerve to go back but when I did I got a different tech and she's been perfect. I've had my face and arms done...need touch-ups on my face still but the difference has been amazing both inside and outside.

I am not in the medical field, so this may not be accurate, but I think PCOS, as a syndrome, can't be tested per se. It's just if you have a bunch of the symptoms, the doc will say 'you have PCOS,' and all they can do is treat the symptoms. I believe the only way it can go away or be treated or be lessened is to lose weight. Now, I may be wrong, and I would like to hear other opinions.

You're right, there is no one test that says you have PCOS. You can all of the symptoms or only a few. I think I have most of them unfortunately and since weight loss is the key, all of my hope lies in the band for getting this weight off.

This is what I thought too ladies but my GYN sent me to a specialist and the specialist sent me to have additional test ran ... but I guess everyone's doc is different. I know I have alot of the symptoms but the main and most bothersome is the dandruff in my scalp I wish it was something to do about this... washing of the hair only stops it for about a day I hate it !! Now I am waiting for all the "test" and blood work to come back to confirm that I have it but I know that I do. So than the specialist said that we will look in to options of what to do as far as meds I guess.

Hey guys!! Sorry I have not posted in so long. I have been reading everyone's posts, but adjusting to having a 12 month old and a 2 month old has been quite an adjustment. Today I cleaned house and did laundry. All 3 boys are in bed asleep and I feel half way sane. They are such a blessing though. I love being a mom. I am not complaining, just busy. I plan to make sure I post more often, because I really enjoy the support from you all.

To catch you up. I have had 2 fills and now have 5cc in my 10cc band. I still have very little restriction. I have noticed that I have to eat much slower, but I can still eat whatever I want, pretty much. I go for my 3rd fill on Tuesday. I am hoping that it will make a big difference. As far as my weight, I have stayed the same for several weeks now. I really think this next fill will make a difference, because I can tell a little difference since the last feel, so hopefully I am getting close.

Pamela,

How are you?? You are doing awesome as far as weight loss and your before and after pics are great!! Keep it up girl!!

Amy

Thanks. I'm glad you are doing well. I know how hectic it can be with just one small child, so I know with 2 small ones your hands are full. I'm right there with you, I don't have much restriction either. But, for the last couple of days, I've had a little more restriction. I'm not sure if it is stress making me tighter or what. I've been taking some online classes and with Christmas coming up, it's just been busy. I go back Thursday for an assessment, so hopefully I will get a fill before Christmas. I haven't lost any weight either in the last few weeks. I did buy an elliptical for myself for Christmas, maybe this will motivate me to get back on track. It was so good to hear from you. You're doing great!

I have high praises for laser hair removal. I do have to say though that they person operating the laser needs to know what they're doing. The first lady I tried had it to high and my face got burned. It took me a while to get up the nerve to go back but when I did I got a different tech and she's been perfect. I've had my face and arms done...need touch-ups on my face still but the difference has been amazing both inside and outside.

Thanks for the info. I plan on having it done someday and it's good to know that you have had success with it. If you don't mind me asking, how long ago did you have it done and how many treatments did it take?

KLPDBL -- A friend gave me an elliptical last year and I LOOOOOVE it!!! It seems to be low impact and doesn't bother my knees and such as much. And I know it sounds Crazy, but I actually think it's fun! I just turn the TV on and watch a couple of episodes of Golden Girls and before I know it I've done an hour! ha. Yes, I'm an 80 year old trapped in a 28 year olds body.

And as for the laser hair removal, my mom bought me some visits for a gift a couple of years ago. I didn't keep up the treatment beyond the ones she provided...but even with just a few visits, there was a noticeable change on my arms. I have dark, "man arms" so any improvement was welcomed. I'm still super paranoid about them, so I continue to Nair them, which works for now until I save the funds for more laser removal.

I have been visiting this forum for about 1 month, just reading and hoping to get a better understanding of what I am about to get myself into. This is the first thread that I feel like I "get". I don't want to bore with tons of background information, but I will bullet some highlights.

-I wad diagnosed with PCOS within the first year of marriage. (but with all that I know now, I had it in high school)

-We were married for eight years before becoming pregnant with our first; and if that wasn't miracle enough, we had a second! God is good.

-I have been a lifetime athlete. And in my mind, I am still one.

-I injured my back on our honeymoon(the sex was great, but not backbreaking great. I was playing volleyball on the beach) Thus, two fusions later, I am pain free.

-I am just shy of 6ft and weighed 170 lbs. not an inch of fat....all muscle. Now, I am 265.

-I work out more than most skinny people do and I don't loose an ounce. I'm talking 45 min cardio with 30 min strength/core training 6 days a week with a 1400cal diet. My husband is a triathlete (which, hopefully, that is my goal) and he has trained me to ride my road bike like he does. My HR is at 150-160 for 2 hours with a cadence of 85-92.

So, I am at my wits end. I am ready for this, but if I haven't been able to do it with what I've already been doing, I don't know if this will work. I have been working on this since my youngest was born which was three years ago. My endo says that basically whatever I'm eating is turned to fat and whatever I burn is only carb. Only my Krebs cycle is working, not beta oxidation(fat burning)

Wow, not as short- tongued as I would have hoped. Anyway, it is good for me to see that pcos patients have done this and it is working. Gives me tons of hope.

Amy

KLPDBL -- A friend gave me an elliptical last year and I LOOOOOVE it!!! It seems to be low impact and doesn't bother my knees and such as much. And I know it sounds Crazy, but I actually think it's fun! I just turn the TV on and watch a couple of episodes of Golden Girls and before I know it I've done an hour! ha. Yes, I'm an 80 year old trapped in a 28 year olds body.

And as for the laser hair removal, my mom bought me some visits for a gift a couple of years ago. I didn't keep up the treatment beyond the ones she provided...but even with just a few visits, there was a noticeable change on my arms. I have dark, "man arms" so any improvement was welcomed. I'm still super paranoid about them, so I continue to Nair them, which works for now until I save the funds for more laser removal.

I absolutely love my elliptical too. I pop in a "Friends" disc (I have all 10 seasons) and watch while I exercise. I always dread doing it, but once I get started, it is really fun.

I have already warned my husband that once I get to my goal weight, my reward will be laser hair removal. I can't wait, all this hair is so aggravating.

I have been visiting this forum for about 1 month, just reading and hoping to get a better understanding of what I am about to get myself into. This is the first thread that I feel like I "get". I don't want to bore with tons of background information, but I will bullet some highlights.

-I wad diagnosed with PCOS within the first year of marriage. (but with all that I know now, I had it in high school)

-We were married for eight years before becoming pregnant with our first; and if that wasn't miracle enough, we had a second! God is good.

-I have been a lifetime athlete. And in my mind, I am still one.

-I injured my back on our honeymoon(the sex was great, but not backbreaking great. I was playing volleyball on the beach) Thus, two fusions later, I am pain free.

-I am just shy of 6ft and weighed 170 lbs. not an inch of fat....all muscle. Now, I am 265.

-I work out more than most skinny people do and I don't loose an ounce. I'm talking 45 min cardio with 30 min strength/core training 6 days a week with a 1400cal diet. My husband is a triathlete (which, hopefully, that is my goal) and he has trained me to ride my road bike like he does. My HR is at 150-160 for 2 hours with a cadence of 85-92.

So, I am at my wits end. I am ready for this, but if I haven't been able to do it with what I've already been doing, I don't know if this will work. I have been working on this since my youngest was born which was three years ago. My endo says that basically whatever I'm eating is turned to fat and whatever I burn is only carb. Only my Krebs cycle is working, not beta oxidation(fat burning)

Wow, not as short- tongued as I would have hoped. Anyway, it is good for me to see that pcos patients have done this and it is working. Gives me tons of hope.

Amy

Welcome Amy!

I had the same thoughts before my surgery. But this was a last resort for me. I have lost weight several times in the past and just couldn't keep it off. Having this band is the best thing I've ever done.

It is wonderful that you are an active person. I was very active in high school, but got lazy after marriage. I can't wait to have the energy I used to have.

Keep in mind, that everyone loses at different rates. I started out at 330lbs and I lost pretty fast to begin with, but now it has really slowed down.

Are you getting banded? Do you have a date set yet?

As far as calories or carbs go, you just have to choose whichever works best for you. So far, I haven't really been tracking calories or carbs religously. My pre-op diet was the "Sugar Busters Diet" and I did really well with this. I have been kind of following that lately.

I don't know if I have been much help for you, but I wish you the best of luck and hope everything works out for you.

So basically what I seem to be seeing from this post is that since I have PCOS it's basically useless to get this surgery because it will still be hard for me to lose weight. Well that just totally sux!!!! I know there is only one other way to lose weight and that's the bypass but that is so so dangerous for your health. I mean I've done the metformin and only lost water weight and that was maybe 5 lbs max....I've done the 1500 calorie diet and that didnt work either. I have hair coming out my chin, but my am not losing hair on the top of my head. My leg hair grows like crazy, I shave and get out of the tub get goose bumps and BAM STUBBLE!!! lol So it sounds like with the PCOS and insulin resistance and pre-diabetic I'm basically doomed to be fat and get fatter the rest of my life because nothing else is going to make this crap go away...Sorry I'm just really frustrated with pcos, being fat and not able to lose any of it, and I TOTALLY KNOW all about the hormonal imbalances I can go from happy and laughing to wanting to rip someone's head off the next minute!! lol

Thanks for letting me rant and vent!! Blessings to all and Happy Holidays!!

So basically what I seem to be seeing from this post is that since I have PCOS it's basically useless to get this surgery because it will still be hard for me to lose weight. Well that just totally sux!!!! I know there is only one other way to lose weight and that's the bypass but that is so so dangerous for your health. I mean I've done the metformin and only lost Water weight and that was maybe 5 lbs max....I've done the 1500 calorie diet and that didnt work either. I have hair coming out my chin, but my am not losing hair on the top of my head. My leg hair grows like crazy, I shave and get out of the tub get goose bumps and BAM STUBBLE!!! lol So it sounds like with the PCOS and insulin resistance and pre-diabetic I'm basically doomed to be fat and get fatter the rest of my life because nothing else is going to make this crap go away...Sorry I'm just really frustrated with pcos, being fat and not able to lose any of it, and I TOTALLY KNOW all about the hormonal imbalances I can go from happy and laughing to wanting to rip someone's head off the next minute!! lol

Thanks for letting me rant and vent!! Blessings to all and Happy Holidays!!

I think we can lose just as much weight as the next person. It may come off a little slower, but hey, my doc says "slower is healthier". I know there are some on this site who have lost 100% of their excess weight, and they have PCOS. I hope these posts haven't discouraged you. I've lost 51lbs and that is better than any of the other diets I have ever done.

Please don't get discouraged. You're not doomed. We can do this!

I was diagnosed with PCOS 5 years ago. Since then, I've learned that it is tied to the diabetes on my father's side and there are also studies going on that connect it to sleep apnea. I went off the pill in July and had a cycle every month except for November. I went low carb for a couple of weeks and my cycle came last week. My reproductive endocrinologist didn't put me on Metformin because he knew that I was having wls. I also belong to the Soulcysters website. They have a forum dedicated to wls. My weight loss could be better but I was unable to exercise until a few weeks ago due to surgery on my feet. I gain weight quickly but I lose it fast as long as I exercise and don't eat refined carbs.

I was diagnosed with PCOS 5 years ago. Since then, I've learned that it is tied to the diabetes on my father's side and there are also studies going on that connect it to sleep apnea. I went off the pill in July and had a cycle every month except for November. I went low carb for a couple of weeks and my cycle came last week. My reproductive endocrinologist didn't put me on Metformin because he knew that I was having wls. I also belong to the Soulcysters website. They have a forum dedicated to wls. My weight loss could be better but I was unable to exercise until a few weeks ago due to surgery on my feet. I gain weight quickly but I lose it fast as long as I exercise and don't eat refined carbs.

I believe my PCOS came from my fathers side of the family too. Thanks for the info about Soulcysters, I'll have to check it out. I also can lose pretty fast if I exercise. I've "kind of" been following the Sugar Busters Diet. I did this pre-op and have great success with it.

Hey my loving "cysters" do you guys have any tips on these EXTEMELY HEAVY periods... I'm bleeding like a gutted cow! I hadn't seen my period since October! This is my 2nd "PCOS" period. And I say that because all of this major PCOS stuff just starting happening to me in like July. The first time I missed my period for 3 months it came and stayed for 2 1/2 weeks!!! Now I missed it for 2 months hoping it doesn't stay for more than 2 weeks because my DH will be home on the 28th! And quite frankly I am super horny LOL ... and on the other hand I am going to try and wait to get my neck and chin waxed. I was going to go 2day but I will turn right back into the bearded lady before next Friday. It's ridiculous how fast this hair grows. But lots of love to everybody!! Thanks for listening Apples!

Applesmith,

There is something your doc can give you to make it stop, if you really want it too. Unfortunately, heavy periods come along with PCOS. The longer you don't she your lining, the more there is to shed. I used to only get my periods about 1-2 times a year. This means that I would bleed for about 40 days at a time!! I know, TMI, but its true!!!