PCOS: What's the Verdict?

[kc892020 90]

Hello to all my fellow ladies!

OK, I'm not entirely sure if this is the appropriate place to ask this, but I thought I'd try. I've been struggling with PCOS for several years now. As far as WLS is concerned, I'm being told two things about PCOS. On one hand, my surgeon is telling me that in his experience, PCOS goes away in women who successfully complete and keep the weight off after surgery. On the other hand, my OB-GYN is telling me she doesn't think it will change anything other than I won't have to take Metformin anymore. She says I'll most likely still have to take Aldactone, Progesterone and Inositol even after WLS. However, it's also worth noting she's mentioned she's never treated anyone with PCOS whose undergone WLS during childbearing age.

I'm so confused! I have no idea what to believe and I never met anyone else in this situation before.

If anyone knows anything about this, I'm am very grateful in advance for any help or advice. Thank you!

[evilpixie20 9]

I was told it would get better. Everybody's different so it's not always the case I suppose. WL helps balance hormones.

[kc892020 90]

I sure hope so. Fingers crossed!

[Cherylmilla 160]

I was told it helps remedy most of the issues. It was one of the factors in my choosing to have WLS.

[AchieveGoals 46]

What was your outcome? Did you have the surgery and did it resolve some of the issues? Mine is the Hair loss I have PCOS, and haven't had surgery yet, still wondering what I should do.

[Cherylmilla 160]

It regulated my period, for the first time I can remember in as many years. It's easier to lose the weight after surgery, which is amazing. I have lost a lot of hair, however, it's worth the trade off. I take my Vitamins and get my Protein in. Regardless of PCOS, I've seen people lose hair, and some haven't. The health benefits outweigh (no pun intended) the Hair loss. I had thick hair, even with PCOS, and lots of it, so I have hopes it will grow back. Now, if only my chin hair would go away.....

[kc892020 90]

My period was regulated almost right away...only two weeks after surgery. It this was WITHOUT the aid of any of the meds I was on before. I was amazed.

Last month, it came back the same time and I'm hoping this month it will do the same. My hair wasn't affected. I found that as long as I met my Protein goals, hair will stay.

Now the unwanted facial hair? Eh, that's another story. It's still there, BUT it's definitely not as course or as noticeable as it was before. I dermaplane (a fancy way of saying "female facial shaving") to take care of it, and no one ever knows I struggle with it.

This week, I go in for my first hormone panel since having the surgery, so we'll see what it has to say.

Edited March 9, 2020 by kc892020

[angryspice 31]

This was one of the reasons I chose to have surgery, along with a host of other potential health problems based on my family history. Weight loss is one of the "treatments" for PCOS, but anyone who has PCOS knows that is a lot easier said than done. My pcp said that the surgery not only helps you reset your metabolism to lose weight but it also fixes a lot of the hormonal issues. Obviously, it's a very complicated thing, but I can honestly say that without the surgery, my chances for losing all the excess weight AND KEEPING IT OFF were very slim. I add emphasis on keeping it off because that is another important factor when trying to control your metabolism and abnormal hormones. Yo-yoing can make these problems worse so it actually gets harder every time you try to lose weight again. My surgeon said he would rather I make my goal 160, which is considered a little overweight for my height, and stay there for the rest of my life than try to get down to a size 0-2 and end up yo-yoing again, even if it's only 20 lbs or so. My nutritionist also informed me that it is possible that I would not lose as much weight as what I read or hear about others who have had the same surgery and that exercise would play an important role in breaking stubborn plateaus as well as maintenance. So you should make sure you find an activity that you like doing and can do it consistently for the rest of your life.