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I've had PCOS since the age of 12, so 34 years. Back in my 20's I lost 50 pounds, on a low fat diet, and my PCOS symptoms did not change. So just losing the weight may not help. I gained all of that weight back plus some. Then in my late 30's went on a low carb diet droped 30 pounds and 90% of my PCOS symptoms went away. I fell off of that wagon regained all of that weight plus some. I got the band a year ago and have lost 60 pounds. It is a much slower loss for us PCOS'ers but it does come off. Because of the band the diet we follow is a low carb diet. My belief is low carb is the answer to helping with PCOS. I have no problem losing weight I have a problem with not regaining. That is why I got banded, with the hope that it will keep me on track and not regain. I still have 20 pounds to lose to be at my goal. But I have my period right on time every month, I no longer have migraines. I still have the mood swings and depression but the duration time is shorter and I have had no relieve from the facial hair. The band is a tool not a cure. Just like any weight loss decission you make you have to be right in the head and ready to do it. Good Luck, Rebecca

drink pineapple juice

Janet said it perfectly!!!

I was banded last August also. Sounds like you've hit a brick wall. I hope you can find what works for you. I know it is frustrating. If you need any additional help/support just let us know. Good Luck

Brandy, Have you been banded yet?? Once you are you only have room for the Protein, it's tough to fit much else in. I know for me if I get off the sugar I don't crave it, but take one bite of something sweet and I'm out of control. Getting banded gives you a good head start and time to build good habits, but it gets harder to stick with as time goes on. Unfortunately you need to do the work, the band is only a tool.

Brandy, I'm sure you've heard all of this before but... You need to break your addiction to sugar, just like an alcoholic you can not just have the occassional sweet, artifical or not. Being PCOS just makes it all the harder. You need to eat only lean Proteins, veggies and occasional fresh fruit. Nothing processed. Cut back on your dairy and drink plenty of Water. Don't eat low fat products they are full of sugar. It doesn't matter if there are only a few WW points in a sugar free fudgecicle, you don't want to eat it. It's a real change in life style, but believe me it's a much better life to live!!

I know it's different at different parts of the country as well as Dr's. But on average how much does a tummy tuck cost??

It sounds like you never got out of old habits. When I start to over eat or go straight for the suger I stop and make myself think about the day I had surgery and the weeks of recovering, I tell myself "who in thier right mind would go through all of that and then go back to the same old habits" You really need to detox yourself like Kris suggested, go back on the 2 week liquid diet and start again. For sure go back to your Dr. Face up to everything and then put it behind you. There is noting you can do about it now. You're not a failure, you're human. hang in there

When is your surgery date? Is it 10 to 15 pounds you need to lose or 10% of what you weigh?? Didn't your surgeons office give you an eating plan to drop the weight before your surgery?? Two weeks before my surgery I was put on a total liquid diet. I had to order the Protein powder to make the shakes from a web-site. They have you loss this weight prior to surgery for 2 reasons First is because when you are lying down, as you will be for surgery, your liver rests on the very top of your stomach. This is were the band is placed and the Dr. has to move the liver out of his way so he can put the band on. Being on the diet/liquid diet 2 weeks prior to surgery will shrink your liver. And second, 99.9% of us will have a "last" huge meal, and if we were not told to loss some weight before our surgery we would be eating something while being wheeled into the operating room!

Hey fellow PCOS'ers Before getting banded I was on metformin. Hated it and went off of it and went on a natural pill called insulite. I loved it and it worked great for PMS like symptoms ie; mood swings, food cravings etc. When I got banded back in August I could no longer take insulite. they are big capsules and you take 17 a day with a big glass of Water. I've lost 50 pounds and I do have a regular cycle now and no longer have migraines, but the facial hair has not lessoned. I did laser hair removeal for 9 months about 6 years ago. It was great while I was being treated but when I stopped all of the hair came back. Another side effect of banding, that alot of women get, is loss of head hair, this is scary for us PCOS'ers that already have thinning hair. This lasted for me about 5 months and I am just now getting new growth. So don't panic if this happens to you. By far getting banded was the best decission. But just losing weight does not "cure" PCOS. You still want to eat a healthy lower carb diet. Good Luck, Rebecca

It is a long needle but a thin gauge. They numb you first, but of course with a needle but the numbing needle is very small. It does not hurt. You do feel pressure. I also have a phobia. I just don't look.

Didn't you get a hand out that explained what to eat week 1, week 2, week 3 and week 4?? This is what I ate the first 7 days after my surgery. 1/4 to 1/2 cup per meal. Protein drinks blenderized soups, no lumps thinned hot Cereal ie: cream of wheat or malt-o-meal thinned mashed potatoes thinned sugar-free yogurt sugar free popsicles. Between meals: Water crystal light broth coffe or tea tomato juice flat diet soda sugar-free Gelatin Start your day with protein and it will help with being hungry.