All Choked Up And Out Of Ideas..

[bandlover 0]

I didn't read all of the replies but I will share my story.

I was 271 at my surgery and have pcos which caused me not to ovulate. We ttc for a few years when I decided to go towards the Lapland. I think it was the best decision. My surgeon wanted me on birthcontrol for the first year. Which I lost a bit over 100 lbs and after getting off bc I had two 28 day cycles n then got pregnant.

I had a very difficult pregnancy when I weighed 300 lbs now this pregnancy was/is a breeze. Plus I got pregnant naturally. Im 34 weeks now n say go for it.

[adorkbl 156]

I didn't read all of the replies but I will share my story.

I was 271 at my surgery and have pcos which caused me not to ovulate. We ttc for a few years when I decided to go towards the Lapland. I think it was the best decision. My surgeon wanted me on birthcontrol for the first year. Which I lost a bit over 100 lbs and after getting off bc I had two 28 day cycles n then got pregnant.

I had a very difficult pregnancy when I weighed 300 lbs now this pregnancy was/is a breeze. Plus I got pregnant naturally. Im 34 weeks now n say go for it.

That is awesome!! Congrats on your pregnancy!!

[christinanewhart 1]

thanks everyone! I haven't really gotten any pos feedback from my specialist. then again nothing negative either, just " if you want to do it just let us know" well see how my consultation night goes. I have this feeling that I will be a much happier person by doing this.

[adorkbl 156]

thanks everyone! I haven't really gotten any pos feedback from my specialist. then again nothing negative either' date=' just " if you want to do it just let us know" well see how my consultation night goes. I have this feeling that I will be a much happier person by doing this.[/quote']

Follow your gut. If it feels right for you and your life... go for it an rock it out.

FYI... I went back on my Metformin this week and have dropped 5 pounds in a few days. It has helped hugely with my cravings. I think combined with my band... this will be a killer combo!! So glad liquid Metformin is available.

[PandorasBox92264 61]

I used to live just North of Philadelphia which is where I got banded. I had tried some Gyn docs because I was having some female problems and nothing worked. I finally was referred out to a Doctor he was in Philly but then moved to Elkins Park, PA. Dr David Klebanoff he is an OB/GYN and from my understanding he deals with a wide spectrum of issues.

http://www.healthgrades.com/physician/dr-david-klebanoff-xtm97

I hated the fact that when I moved back to California that I would have to leave his practice! He was caring, kinda and seemed to know how to figure it out and even the girls in the office were great! He never gave me grief about my weight, or made me feel horrible about myself. I even had a surgical procedure with him and his bedside manner was fantastic.

I was last in the office about 3 years ago, but I cannot imagine him being anything different than he was.

I had lapband surgery at Jeanes Hospital in Philadelphia, and the care of my Doc was fantastic. Unfortunately my surgeon left to move to Kansas but the is still there and all the staff was really nice. I think Temple and UPenn hospital do bariatric also.

I originally had gone to a Surgical Facility called Barix Clinic that was located in Langhorne Pa. The initial seminar seemed fine, but when I talked to the surgeon they really seemed to not have the interest. The office staff seemed less than par, but I was really thinking of going through this surgery. I had a previous condition that they ended up refusing to perform surgery on me... I guess they didn't want to risk their perfect record and I have found that they have turned down others as well. I even took in letters from physicians that said I would be fine for a surgical procedure.. but when I called to check the status I had been FLAGGED.. as a NON surgical option evidently for ANY Barix clinic anywhere. Although nobody would tell me why? I felt like the Fat person that was invisible at a Fat Fair with a big L on her forhead.. This would have been the last place I would have ever thought I would have been treated badly.

I was never rude, obnoxious, I just wanted someone to tell me the reasoning..

I Ended up going into Jeanes hospital to check into their program, and was welcomed. Went through all my testings, came through with flying colors.. and NEVER had any issues with my band or recovery... I had Dr Christopher Kowalski who was really great.. So if anyone is in Kansas he is a good one to see..

I would go in and get my band again! I did have a back slide because I went through alot of personal issues with loss of work, parental deaths..and my divorce then moving which i opted for safety to have Fluid removed. I am back on the wagon now... I am convinced if I never had the band I would easily be over 300lbs..

It takes work, it is not a quick fix, you have to work it... figure out what works with you.. and you can gain on a band.. but overall I think it is still the tool the helps the most with hunger, adjusting your lifestyle.. etc.. So yes I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!

[alley-gator 96]

You ladies need to get on soulcysters.com, its a great pcos informational/ support sire for pcos. It has a whole forum on infertility where you can educate yourselves.

Any obgyn that tells you that you can't get pregnant from ivf is completely full of it and sending you down a needlessly expensive, emotionally tramatic path. Some people with pcos do need ivf, especially if they have male factor infertility as well, but most do not, and for a obgyn to state that is ridiculous and uneducated and really upsets me. I did infertility treatment for a few years and after some weight loss, drugs and iui was able to concieve. Just like most women with pcos can. Are their always those who cant? Sure. But many many more women with pcos can use metformin/ drugs/iui or even just timed intercourse to concieve. But for a doctor to say that's your only recourse is ridiculous and, in my opinion, means that they want the money etc that would go hand in hand with ivf.

And if your obgyn can't diagnose pcos, you need to find a new one because that doctor is a retard. Any obgyn out there should be able to diagnose and treat it. Some even do infertility treatment for it, but some send you to a reproductive endocrinologist to help you get pregnant.

That being said, I don't know how the band will effect my pcos, I have a consult in July for it and think I will get the band with plication done. I am hoping it improves me pcos drastically and makes me much healthier for my next pregnancy.

[Mjv013 67]

I after to agree with one of the other posters. Lap Band is something to take very seriously. You have to be commited in everyway to be successful. On that note, being diagnosed with pcos myself, I can understand your struggle. Metformin also did nothing for me. None of the pills and diets worked. With so much stacked against you its hard to lose weight. Trust me, I totally understand. Then trying to throw getting pregnant in the mix.... forget it. My Dr at one point told me that we would not help me get pregnant until I lost X amount of weight because the risk of sever complications was high. I did have to agree with him but it was horrible the first time he mentioned weight loss surgery. I was 271lbs at that point. I too have never had a regular cycle and had little hope after 17 years of getting pregnant. After more depression and more failures in dieting, I finally got the band. #1 to be healthy. I had given up having children especially since I was pushing 34. Each time I went to the Dr, something else was wrong. High blood pressure, high blood sugar, sore knees, bad skin.... the list goes on and on.

I had surgery 10/2009 at 291 lbs and do not regret one single moment!! It has been the best decision I have ever made. Within 4 months I stopped all 7 of the medications I was taking. I never actually had cysts in my ovaries and was cleared of pcos. Fact: most people diagnosed with pcos do not actually have cysts or they can clear up. So I went on birth control because I was still having irregular periods. I stopped taking my BC on Nov 24, 2011 and found out on 12/26 I was expecting my first. I understand that each situation is different, but after 17 years of heartbreak and tears, I can finally say "I'm gonna be a mommy"!!

If you are prepared to work hard nothing is impossible!!!

Good luck and keep us posted on our decisions!!

[thetxdiva 20]

Hi All! I'm fairly new to this... I was reading about your issues and I was intrigued to read through the entire string.

I was banded April 24, 2012. Prior to my surgery, I was 342 pounds. It was scary to come to the realization that I had allowed myself to become that obese. I was diagnosed with PCOS 6 years ago. Today is August 2nd, I currently weigh 280.8 pounds. I have lost over 60 pounds since the beginning of my journey in February.

The lap band is a great procedure that I believe in whole heartedly. Even though it is a bit intimidating, due to the fact that it is a life altering decision. You have to learn to love yourself more than you love the food.

My biggest dream has been to have children. My PCOS has been life altering as well. My symptoms are hard hitters and definitely have a serious effect on my self esteem. I have a goal to lose another 120 pounds. Seeing that other women have had positive outcomes in the child department is definitely positive for me. Just wanted to say thank you all for being brave enough to share your stories and frustrations. It surely doesn't make me feel near as alone in my own.