(I'm posting here because I don't have enough post to post on the WLS board I'm told!)
I am considering the lap-band surgery and I’m hoping you have the time to answer some questions for me before I make a decision. What the doctor says sounds great, but I’m interested in the what the PCOSers who have had the surgery have to say and your experience with lap-band. Here are some of the questions I have before I take the plunge and go for the surgery!
1. What were your PCOS symptoms before surgery?
2. What are your PCOS symptoms now, after the surgery?
3. How long before you noticed PCOS symptoms (besides weight loss) disappear if you did?
4. About how many pounds a month did/do you lose after the surgery?
5. Would you do it again if you had to?
6. What was/is the hardest part about the surgery and/or life after surgery?
7. Was there anything you had to do before the surgery?
8. After the surgery, were there a lot of doctor visits? If so, what for?
9. Were there any complications?
10. Any other information, advice or suggestions?
I REALLY appreciate you taking the time to answer some of my questions before I do this. It’s a HUGE decision and I’m a little nervous about it.
__________________ Diagnosed w/ PCOS in 2006 ~ Took 2000mg of Metformin up until 10th week of pregnancy.
BFP 4/15/07 EDD 12/24/07
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
I had RNY in June of 07 -- but we do have a few bandsters floating around here that will pop in at some point, I'm sure. Good luck in your journey and if you get a chance check out Obesityhelp.com , there are message boards on there for all of the WLS methods and hopefully you'll be able to get some of your questions answered there as well as here.
__________________ TTC since 12/01 3 years on clomid, 1 letrezole cycle - no pg ovarian drilling 12/04 Finally BFP on 3rd cycle of follistim - our Triplets were born 10 weeks early and are home after 5 weeks in the NICU - Thank you GOD for our Triple Miracle!!
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
I think it seems kinda slow here because this forum is brand new. Although I have had the RNY I'll answer your questions just so that you can also gain perspective on this surgery as well.
1. What were your PCOS symptoms before surgery? I had them all, no ovulation, no periods, IR/Diabetes, skin tags, Acanthosis Nigricans, acne, hirsutism, elevated testosterone & my FSH/LH ratio I'm sure was out of whack very badly as I'd gone through 8 years of infertility treatments with no success with getting me to ovulate let alone get pregnant.
2. What are your PCOS symptoms now, after the surgery? All that is left is the facial hair growth. All other symptoms are gone. I have no IR/Diabetes, no acne (rare now), no skin tags, and I have regular cycles averaging 28-30 days. My fertility is definitely restored as I've gotten pregnant 2x since surgery both on the 1st month ttc.
3. How long before you noticed PCOS symptoms (besides weight loss) disappear if you did? All in all it was gradual for the acne & AN. The diabetes & IR was nearly instant and I was released by my endo at 6 months post op. I was on bc until 1 year post op so I didn't realize I was having regular cycles & ovulation until then.
4. About how many pounds a month did/do you lose after the surgery? It was faster in the beginning and then dramatically slowed at 7 months post op. I lost 100 of 114lb needed to be lost by 6 months. I was at goal at 114lb lost and at a weight of 140 at 1 year post op.
5. Would you do it again if you had to? I sure would...but I know how to use my tool correctly and at 4+ years out am still at goal.
6. What was/is the hardest part about the surgery and/or life after surgery? It's all hard. In the beginning it's hard because of what you're restricted in eating. Further out it's still hard because you can eat more foods and you not only have to work hard to keep the weight off and keep from regaining but you also have to work on not reverting back to old eating habits or grazing.
7. Was there anything you had to do before the surgery? Every insurance company is different and I suggest calling them directly to see what they require to approve you for surgery. I was required to have a psych eval, abdominal ultrasound and cardiac/pulmonary clearance for surgery. Of course I had to meet the requirements of a BMI of >40 which I did with a BMI of 45 plus 3 major comorbid conditions (sleep apnea, diabetes & hypertension).
8. After the surgery, were there a lot of doctor visits? If so, what for? I saw my surgeon at 1 week, 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 & 12 months for labs (at the month visits) and to see how I was doing eating/drinking wise and for weigh ins. Now I see my surgeon yearly for labs and weigh in as well as any questions I may have for them.
9. Were there any complications? I do have dumping syndrome so I have to watch my sugar intake but that's it for me.
10. Any other information, advice or suggestions? Do your research on it. The better educated you are on the various WLS procedures the better post op patient & the more successful you'll be. Also get involved with a support group because you can have all the support from family & friends in the world but no one really knows what you're going through than another post op who's had the same surgery you did. Oh...one last thing is to take measurements & pictures pre op & then monthly after that.
I'd be happy to answer more questions if you like and of course I'm sure that some bandsters will be here soon to give you their perspective.
__________________
Kristy (33) & Adam (36) & DDs Alice Kay & Amanda Kay Founding WLS DIVA - RNY 8/3/04
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
I'm the newest lap-band cyster I think> At least on the wlsdivas. I've had my band now for 6 weeks.
1. What were your PCOS symptoms before surgery? I had insulin resistance and type two diabetes. I had skin tags (I had them removed again), facial hair, and of course was morbidly obese.
2. What are your PCOS symptoms now, after the surgery? My sugars are awesome... completely off meds. My insulin resistance also seems better as I'm loosing weight with little effort.
3. How long before you noticed PCOS symptoms (besides weight loss) disappear if you did? My diabetes was instantly better, but I was really mild. I now control it with exercise, and the "diet" we banders have.
4. About how many pounds a month did/do you lose after the surgery? Since the surgery I've lost 14 pounds. I'm kindda stalled, because I'm over due for a fill.
5. Would you do it again if you had to? Absolutely. My only regret is not having it done sooner.
6. What was/is the hardest part about the surgery and/or life after surgery? The post op diet was ok. I got tired of the liquids, and then the mushies (puree's) before I was allowed to move up. Learning to not drink while you eat and for half an hour after. That was probably my biggest stumbling block.
7. Was there anything you had to do before the surgery? I had a whole bunch of tests I had to go thru. Sleep study, dietitian (x2), psych consult, endoscopy, and I had to loose 5% of my weight... 13 pounds.
8. After the surgery, were there a lot of doctor visits? If so, what for? I had some, because as is my dumb luck, I had a minor skin infection. Bacitracian worked well curing that. Normally my surgeon rechecks the wound at 2 weeks post op. Then at 6 weeks (mine is at 7) a first fill. Then monthly checks for the first year. Then it's every 6 months, unless you need a fill/unfill. A fill is where they add saline to your band to add more restriction. An unfill is where they take a tad out.
9. Were there any complications? Just that little infection. The surgery itself was easy. I was home the same day. I did have some gas, and used gas x. I was back caring for my twin 2 yr olds, and older son the same day. I had help the first night. Neice left for cigarettes and never came back. So I ended up on my own earlier than I would have liked, but it wasn't bad.
10. Any other information, advice or suggestions? Make sure you have a blender. That will come in VERY handy. The protein shakes taste better when they aren't lumpy. Also that makes puree-ing things so much easier. I have made my blender a constant on my counter top now.
Seriously my only regret is not having done it sooner.
teri
__________________ Teri (35) & ds brandon 13 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. yr & twins Michael and Matthew born 2-22-06 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Angels :march + July 12, 2002
Chronic back pain, RSD, reflux, diabetes II, pcos,
lap band September 16, 2008http:// To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Oh and if you see my signature, you'll see a blog. I keep it pretty up to date, I wrote about each of my dr's appointments, and the fun of loosing 13 pounds in 8 weeks (I lost more than that ) Please feel free to read it.
teri
__________________ Teri (35) & ds brandon 13 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. yr & twins Michael and Matthew born 2-22-06 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Angels :march + July 12, 2002
Chronic back pain, RSD, reflux, diabetes II, pcos,
lap band September 16, 2008http:// To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Have you had Lap-Band surgery? 
) Please feel free to read it. 
