I am new to this forum and hoping to find some good advise. I have PCOS and weigh 260. I am trying to decide which way to go... gastric bypass or lap band. I worry about the gastric bypass because of he rapid weight loss. I don't want all the sagging skin and the malnurished look I think you could get from gastric bypass. However, I am worried about how much I would actually lose with lap band and will it help with PCOS symptoms? HELP!

Terry,

i have PCOS and have lost 150-ish pounds. yes, i have saggy skin, but i'd rather it be saggy than filled with fat... :thumbdown:

i went with lap band because i didnt want my insides rerouted and i didnt want the malabsorb issues.

best of luck with your decision.

Hello Terryo!

I have PCOS too! I have been banded since Sept and have lost 69lbs so far. I am noticing my skin is starting to sag some, but I agree with Losingjusme, I'd rather it sag than be filled with fat. IMO, sagging skin is inevitable for most people who are obese.

I chose Lap-band for safety reasons. I just didn't want to take the risks that come with Gastric Bypass. Granted, there are risks with any type of surgery, but I just didn't feel comfortable with the risks of GB. The #1 reason I chose lap-band was because it is reversible if need be. With GB, once you've been re-routed, you can't go back to the way you were before. My advice to you would be to do as much research as possible about both operations and do what you feel is right for you.

Good luck to you in whatever decision you make!

I have been researching this as well and was pretty much certain that I wanted the lap-band until I talked to my surgeon. Her concern with the lap band is that it is unknown what damage to your stomach this plastic band will do long term...say 30, 40 years out. If you are young, you have to plan on this thing being inside you for the long-haul and that definitely brought up some concerns I didn't think about. The gastric bypass has been the tried and true for many years. I know the lap band boasts lower risks, but I feel those are only up front and there are more risks long term.

With that said, this is absolutetly a personal decision for what is best for you. That was just my two cents and the advice from a very reputable surgeon.

losinjusme congrats on ur baby...ur baby's bday is the same day as mine..different yrs...lol but same day..so congrats

I have PCOS and I was banded on 9-18-08...I have lost 45 pounds and have 40 more to go. I started off at 218 and with my weight loss I have NO PCOS symptoms left. I was taken off my metformin, and my blood pressure medicine as well within 3 months. I dont have any sagging skin, but I work out 5 days a week and drink TONS of water...probably close to a gallon a day. I know I didnt have as much to lose as some others, but you will be healthier to have saggy skin than all that fat around your organs. Good luck, and email me if you have questions!

Hi Ladies I just wanted to say this was very informative, I too have PCOS, and I'm schedule to meet with my surgeon on the 21of Sept. I also did alot of research Gastric v.s Lap Band, I'm more for Lap band.

Shauna did you stop the Birth Control??

HI! I am new to the forum/site. I went in today for my consult visit knowing I wanted the Lap band. Well..... since I have PCOS the doctor recommends Gastric. I am so confused at this point. She said I will have a harder time losing the weight with PCOS doing Lap band instead of gastric... Is this true?? Does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations???

HI! I am new to the forum/site. I went in today for my consult visit knowing I wanted the LAP-BAND®. Well..... since I have PCOS the doctor recommends Gastric. I am so confused at this point. She said I will have a harder time losing the weight with PCOS doing LAP-BAND® instead of gastric... Is this true?? Does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations???

It takes determination with both surgeries but I believe that it is a tougher with the band. I still have the cravings but none the less the weight is coming off. I just take comfort in know that I can reverse this, body is taking a huge blow by have it rerouted. It really depends on your will.

I have PCOS as well. I haven't been banded yet, but my surgery is December 30th!!! My dad had the bypass and had so so many problems with it! That's one reason I chose lap-band over bypass. My surgeon actually told me that I should do very well with the lap-band and my PCOS.

I have PCOS as well. I haven't been banded yet, but my surgery is December 30th!!! My dad had the bypass and had so so many problems with it! That's one reason I chose lap-band® over bypass. My surgeon actually told me that I should do very well with the lap-band® and my PCOS.

I think you will do okay. It is definitely work. I don't see the others as work so much. Well not like the band. We will still have carb cravings. I still love sweets and they go down so well, unlike meat. You can do it though. I have faith that if you want to change something bad enough you can and will.

I personally am VERY VERY worried about this.

I am basically "allergic" to sugar and the carbs. When i start eating them I put on the weight in record speed (especially if i am off the pill, on the pill i dont really gain, but I dont lose.) The only success that i have had in the past is with taking Meridia and being very strict no carbs, no sugar. Obviously, you cant be on Meridia forever and eventually you gain a tolerance, which is what happened to me.

The craving are so hard, Ifeel like bariatric surgery is my only hope.

Elky, I feel like you..."allergic" to carbs. I too realize that if I strictly limit my carbs then I can lose weight but nothing else has ever worked and the few pounds I lose come back.

Do you plan to get banded?

Hey there!

Actually, its been awhile since my post and since then I had a very serious conversation with my doctor (Dr. Washington in Freehold) and I explained my issue to him. We decided because of my issue with carbs to go for the gastric bypass instead.

Surgery is scheduled for July 12th!

@Elky, I am glad that you found the tool that will work best for you and good luck on your upcoming surgery!