anyone have PCOS-polycystic ovarian syndrome?

[Just Banded 0]

Please read this article and tell me what you think- they are saying that obesity is realted hardcore to PCOS because we have issues with the hormone gherlin that does not make us feel full.

If you have been diagnosed with PCOS- has the band helped you?

Also, who here has PCOS and was able to overcome infertility?

http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/support-files/ghrelin.pdf

[Jodi_620 37]

Interesting article, glad to hear that they are doing more research on PCOS. I don't know whether it is gherlin or simply as it has been explained for the past few years--insulin resistance. I suspect it is probably a little of both along with all the bad additives that they put in our food today.

But I was diagnosed with PCOS years ago and the Lap Band worked for me and my PCOS. I no longer need meds and most of my symptoms are completely gone. I have 28-day cycle now and my ovarian cysts are gone. And I am no longer overweight.

It wasn't the band alone though. I had to cut out the white starchy processed carbs. We all know they are not good for anyone but they are especially destructive to those of us with PCOS or other insulin related conditions.

I avoid processed foods that are usually packed with sugar, fructose corn Syrup and chemicals. I eat fresh lean meat, fresh colorful high Fiber fruits and veggies and avoid all the white stuff (potato, rice, sugar and white flour based foods). I eat 100% whole grains but I am mindful of how much I am eating and always eat them with my Protein.

The band doesn't do all that for you but it does make it easier, I knew I needed to watch these foods pre-band but I was never able to stick with it until I got the band.

[Just Banded 0]

Hi, Thanks for responding. Did you have a baby with your pcos?

[Jodi_620 37]

No kids, I just got it under control at 39, at 40 I am not sure I want to go there.

[Kissmygrits 0]

I'm currently 7 weeks pregnant with previously diagnosed PCOS. Before surgery, my ovaries were riddled with cysts. My ovaries were so bad that the ached constantly and I couldn't sleep on my right side (hurt too much). I was on Met and Avandia (before it was pulled from the market), but they never really worked. My gyn said "you will never be able to get pregnant naturally if your ovaries look like this." That was the last straw- that was really the driving force for me to finally look at weight loss surgery as a permanent solution.

After surgery and about 25 pounds down, I had an ultrasound to check on my ovaries and all the cysts were gone. I stayed on birth control to calm things down even more- for about a year and half. I also exercised a lot, which is supposed to help with glucose metabolism (even though my insulin and glucose levels were always normal- even before surgery).

I came off the pill and we tried for 2 months to get pregnant and I got pregnant right away (the 2nd month). Still no cysts. No PCOS complications either (progesterone normal, etc.).

PCOS never goes away- even if the cysts disappear, the underlying endocrine condition is always there, but for me the weight loss (that was ONLY achievable by LapBand) tamped it down to undetectable levels.

I fully believe that LapBand made pregnancy possible for me- and without fertility meds or other medical intervention (which we were praying to avoid anyway).

Of course, if I could only get all the hair back that I lost due to androgenic alopecia caused by PCOS that would be a true miracle!

Edited August 5, 2009 by Kissmygrits

[thefitmother 0]

Congratulations Kiss! I hope to be pregnant this year!!!

Just Banded,

I was banded in January to lose weight and hopefully correct my PCOS symptoms. I would only get a cycle about three times a year.

I was banded on the 29th of January and so far have lose just over 30 pounds. My cycle is now back to 33 days on the dot.

I am going for an ultrasound sometime this month to check my ovaries again and see what is going on.

Getting my band was the best thing I ever did. I stuggled with my weight for years and finally I now have a tool that can help me get to goal!

Good luck!

[TammMC 3]

Kiss that is fantastic and very informative. I also have very bad PCOS and endometriosis. I have to take a continious birth control cycle or else I am in so much pain I wanna die!! Its great to hear that your symptoms went away after lap band. I have tried for many many years to get my weight under control to fix my PCOS, but I have never been able to achieve it. I would exercise and eat healthy and get NO results. I am set to be banded on August 11th and I cant wait to finally be able to make my body healthy and hopefully one day have children!

[micnat 0]

Great to hear promising stories! I was diagnosed with PCOS when we couldn't get pregnant. I was never in any pain or felt the cysts but periods were extremely irregular and i gained a TON of weight when I was 19.

We were able to get pregnant with the help of a fertility specialist (she is 2 now!). I was just banded last month and am hoping to lose enough weight where getting pregnant without help is possible!

[Shauna80 0]

I was diagnosed with PCOS in 04, got pregnant with 40 pounds of extra weight on me. It took 2 yrs of trying to get pregnant and only got pregnant because I was on metformin. I was banded last sept and have lost 65 pounds. I am 15 pounds from goal and I am 6 weeks pregnant. I got pregnant the first try and have been off all medications for 6 months. The band WORKS FOR PCOS! It saved my life and I have never been happier!

[redhood007 0]

I also have PCOS and was told I would NEVER get pregnant hence we used no birth control....guess who is now 13 weeks pregnant....

[Loveslady 0]

I too have pcos. I diagnosed myself when I was in college. Did the birth control and all of that. Well now I was on met until I started my shake diet. It makes me feel faint so I stopped taking. I get banded on the 17th and I can't wait. Unfortunately, I 'm not married or anything and I want a child but I also know that I must lose this weight and cysts to do so.

[thefitmother 0]

:thumbup::thumbup:Congrats redhood!!! It's always great to hear stories like that! :thumbup:

Well I went and had my ultrasound done this morning. I believed that I ovulated on the weekend. A urine test said that I did, but I know with PCOS sometimes they can give false positives. Apparently there is a collapsed follicle in my left ovary which confirms (in theory) that I have ovulated.

I have to call my Dr this afternoon to get the results.

She also mentioned that a collapsed follicle will hang around if the egg has been fertilised. HERE'S HOPING!!!!

Even if I'm not pregnant this month, just the fact that I'm ovulating is such a blessing. I LOVE MY BAND!

[Loveslady 0]

Bella that IS great news. Praying for you.

[MoniqueD 8]

Hello all,

I too have PCOS too. I originally started the Bariatric Program in 2006. My goal was to have another child so the Lap Band was selected for me. That is why it seems as though I have been waiting to get banded forever. I did have another baby. She is amazing. She just turned 1 years old. I do not plan to have anymore babies. It is finally me time. I have lost the pre-surgery weight and have a scheduled surgery date of 10/14/09. I will be happy to be rid or have lessened the issues that come along with PCOS.

Lots of luv and baby dust to all who want babies!!!!

[soonergirl 0]

I actually chose the band because of my PCOS/fertility issues. I also only had 2-3 periods a year. I lost all of my weight and got to goal weight. I got pregnant on my own and miscarried twice. All of my hormone levels were ok including no signs of insulin resistance. I chose to see a fertility specialist and they monitored my follicles and then I did one round of clomid (they think in some cases with PCOS the egg is not maturing leading to loss). We got pregnant again and they put me on daily metformin throughout my entire pregnancy. I did gain a significant amount of wieght (over 80 pounds) and they did take out my fill. I have a wonderful healthy baby boy now and it seems like a million years ago that we went through all of that! I am back down 70 pounds of my baby weight and planning to try again early next year! I will probably do liquid metformin for this next pregnancy to hopefully keep in a fill (wish they would have had that the first time!! :blushing:

All of my doctors contributed a lot of the successful pregnancies in PCOS patients to getting to a healthy weight. Good luck, I know how hard it is!! I would be happy to answer any other questions that you might have. I know when i was in your shoes I had a lot!