At goal but PCOS is still here

Sisu · 02-16-2009, 10:24 AM

Hi,

I am just curious if I am the only one who has had WLS, lost all the weight and is still dealing with the PCOS. My surgery was in September 2007, I have lost 108 lbs and now have a normal BMI. I did have a couple periods on my own last summer, but for the last six months, nothing. Also, the hirsuism is as bad as ever and my ovaries still look like dalmations.

I saw a specialist whose advice was to eat olives and raw nuts and not to do any strenuous exercise. I haven't quite figured out what the science behind her ideas, so have asked to be refered to someone else.

I am a bit frustrated because every doctor before told me I just had to lose the weight and then the PCOS would be gone.

Tonya

amorvincit105 · 02-16-2009, 11:04 AM

i was told pcos never goes away.. some symptoms ust subside with weight loss. but i dont know for sure

KatCarney · 02-16-2009, 11:49 AM

I've never had WLS, but those I know who have had success exercised (both cardio & strength training.) "Weight loss" isn't what doctors should be saying to patients. They should be saying, "Improved body composition (ie decreased bodyfat and increased lean mass.)"

If you didn't exercise (cardio AND strength) you more than likely lost lean mass, and that's not good for women, in general, and possibly worse for women with pcos.

As for hirsutism, once the hair turns dark and coarse, the only way to get rid of it is laser. Improved labs can keep NEW hair from turning coarse, but the existing hair needs laser (or the like).

TDoern · 02-25-2009, 03:31 PM

Tonya - I also feel that PCOS never goes away. I think the symptoms can lessen, and even disappear some what, but I don't think it just vanishes.

I would definitely look to find another doctor to talk to about things, and if you aren't see a ob/gyn who knows about PCOS.

I am at goal now, and am having regular periods now for the first time in my life, but that's how my body reacted. I still have the hair, though I do believe it is coming in thinner and thinner - but that could also be because I use an epilator.

I'm not sure if you are looking to get pregnant or what, but I've heard many positive things about ovarian drilling, and how it can help restore some balance to our girly parts. I wish I had more info to give you - I guess the best I can say is to find a new doctor, I like olives, but I don't think they are the key to down their care.

Grats on reaching goal!

Also remember that your body does at some point have to re-evaluate itself. You have to make sure that you are still eating correctly, for example mostly protein and little carbs, to keep things balanced. You don't sound like it, but if you went back to your pre-op ways of living all you've done is lower your weight. Not sure if that makes sense or not.

Hugs
Tammy

Sisu · 03-13-2009, 10:56 PM

Thanks for the replies.

So a little update and further info.

I did exercise throughout the weightloss period, focusing more on strength training so that I could maintain as much lean mass as possible. It is not possible to maintain all of the lean mass with this radical of weight loss so I was just trying to minimize the lean mass loss. My BF percentage has went from 45% to 29%. I haven't been able to handle a lot of cardio due to low blood pressure. After my BP went down to 90 over 50, along with a resting pulse of about 45, I was put on drugs to bring up the BP. I have a lot more energy now and have been working out harder at the gym. I am trying to bring my BF down to 24%.

I saw a gyn/endo here who specializes in PCOS. He doesn't want to call it PCOS. I have raised endrogens, am anovulatory, facial hair, enlarged polycystic ovaries, so pretty much outline the list of PCOS criteria, no matter whose list you look on. I do not have IR or impaired glucose tolerance, so he will not recommend metformin. He mentioned my leptin being really high, which he explained to be the little devil who sits on your shoulder and tells you to eat. He tells me to keep doing strength training. He wants to treat the infertility, but otherwise says there is nothing to treat because I am not at risk of diabetes or heart disease. He does not believe there is any additional risk of cancer by not having periods. We would like to have a baby, so treating the infertility is fine, but I was hoping to fix the PCOS and then the infertility would work itself out. This is why I have worked so hard to change my lifestyle, including having WLS.

Sorry for the semi vent. I am just at a bit of a loss now that I am basically told there is nothing that can fix this. Before I lost the weight, I at least had the hope that if I lost the weight the problems would be gone.

Tonya

goddess819 · 03-15-2009, 09:20 PM

Well congrats on the awesome weight loss. I'm sorry that your PCOS did not remiss with the weight loss however at least you have a doc who can treat your infertility. Have you been to the www.obesityhelp.com post op pregnancy boards? There are lots of women there who are ttc with medical help even after WLS (and who have PCOS)...maybe they can offer support as well. Good luck ttc!

Sisu · 03-16-2009, 01:57 PM

Thanks Kristy. I am on OH, but tend to not venture far from the Ontario board. I will check it out.

melsreturn · 04-20-2009, 12:50 PM

NO Wls is not a cure for PCOS. I do not believe there are enough long term studies to know how to help women who have PCOS and have had wls. One study noted that PCOS did go away. But, how long did they study the person? I was doing great for the first two years, probably cause my body was in such a state of shock after having the bypass.

But now almost 3 yrs, my body is starting to experience "the stuff" all over again. I'm noticing weight gain in my midsection even though I do not go over my daily calorie intake, I do not eat crap, I keep my carbs within limits, I am exercising, doing modified liquid diets trying to get this off my midsection to no avail. I cannot lose more than 3 lbs. Then put back the 3 lbs once I start eating again rather than drinking protein shakes all the time. I am frustrated.

Now come to find out, Mirena may or MAY NOT be a help to PCOS. I do not want to get pregnant... some birth controls are unacceptable for bypass patients... I'm thrown into perimenopause. I'm just as frustrated as ever.

So my warning: WATCH YOUR BODY CAREFULLY. My pharmacist told me that if I do not get this under control now, there is a possibility it will get just like it was before, and I could end up fat again.