PCOS the reason I chose the lapBand

[anarkistangel 0]

Hello everyone this is my first thread as I am a brand new member. I started reading the threads about 6 months ago as I have been contemplating lapband surgery for about two years. At first I was only looking for a way to help me lose weight but then I found this website where there were all of you with PCOS that has had the lapband or is thinking about getting the band. I am really happy I found this site as everyone has inspired me to at least try this. Reading so many success stories I once again had hope that maybe I would get what I want finally. The struggles people have posted have made it easier for me to understand the changes I need to make and prepare me for the same struggles..

I think I developed PCOS when I was around 15. My periods stopped completely I could go 8 months if not longer without a period and when it did finally come it would last a day or two. When I turned 18 I started having periods that would last months on end. I didn’t think anything of it except my cycle is changing or I haven’t had one in quite a while it is okay. When I turned 20 I had a period that was going on 4 months I was dizzy and light headed all the time and I felt very weak. I finally went to an OBGYN and we had to do an emergency D&C because I was anemic and losing too much blood. I have had a 2 D&C’s because of the PCOS. I was started on a full birth control treatment so I can control how many periods I will have. I was doing very well with this treatment until recently. Due to all the antibiotics and meds they gave me for surgery it broke the birth control treatment and now I am in need of another D&C as the bleeding will not stop. I have not missed a pill.

It took forever to get my surgery scheduled and all the pre appointments done. I had my surgery on 12/8/08 and since the surgery I have lost 27lbs. prior to the surgery my heaviest point was 264lbs. right before surgery I weighed in at 228lbs I am scheduled for my first fill on 1/20/09. My target weight goal that the surgeon set for me is 150lbs. I have 52 lbs to go until I reach their target weight .

The ultimate goal in this surgery is to stop the D&C’s from happening every year and the main reason I want a baby. I have tried fertility treatments and was somewhat responsive but not enough to continue trying. After reading some of the posts where people have done IVF and were told to try and lose some more weight I figured I would try the weight loss approach first and then try clomid again. If it doesn’t work then I will try the IVF.

[KikiVal315 4]

hi there! same here too. i kind of self diagnosed myself with PCOS-> that's why i love the internet! anyway, i knew my weight had something to with me not getting any periods at all. i was a late bloomer, so i thought, hey give your body a chance to regulate itself. well nothing happend. it didn't bother me until after i got married and wanted to start trying for a baby. well, how can you even plan that without a period? duh!! so, that's when i did some digging around diagnosed myself, because at the time, my former OBGYN didn't even hint of PCOS, when all the physical signs were there and so were the internal. i decided to get L.B. surgery november 2007, didn't have the procedure done until may 22. since then i've lost 57.5lbs that includes the 10lbs i lost preop. i got a new OBGYN just a couple months ago and i told her all of my history and that i had WLS just in may. so, she ran all the blood work, and did mention she was almost certain i had PCOS by just seeing the physical signs, but wanted to make sure with the tests. no shocker, i DID have PCOS. but today, im happy to say, my periods have been back and like clockwork. most of the physical PCOS signs are gone. that's the best! but what i think is even better are our future plans of starting a family, i never thought i would get to this point. its all thanks to the band, i love it, its definitly one of the many awesome things that have happend in my life!!!!

Edited December 30, 2008 by KikiVal315

[anarkistangel 0]

I am happy to hear everything is going well for you! it gives me hope that this is going to work for me. I am seriously tired of an irregular never ending period. My OBGYN basically gave up and I myself turned to the internet and found the most people with PCOS that get the lapband seem to go back to having normal periods and even have a better chance with the fertility. I wish you and your husband the best of luck and wish you a healthy family!:party:

[HotMama24 0]

I hope to have the same result! I have PCOS, I went to a new OB when we were trying for our second after 15 months of nothing, we did injections and I got pregnant. I don't want to have to go through that again though. My insurance will cover the surgery but you have to have a BMI of 40, mine is 35.4.

Is it possible that PCOS can be considered one of the co-morbid diseases that they consider to be reason to cover the surgery? I certinally hope so!!

[Minxz 0]

Its considered one for Kaiser

[HotMama24 0]

Thanks I have United Health Care so I am hopeing it is for them too!

[anarkistangel 0]

They used PCOS as a qualification for me. I have Blue Cross Blue Sheild. My surgeon and insurance company told me that they would still qualify me even though mine wasnt quite 40 because of the PCOS.

[ladybugchaser 0]

my insurance BCBS would not consider my PCOS...but in other states it will. It's just crazy.

GOOD LUCK ALL!!!!