Anyone with IR or PCOS

mypov · 10-15-2005, 05:39 PM

Hello All,

This is my first time posting though I've been a lurker for months. I am planning to be banded in January, so still a little ways off. I have been diagnosed with Insulin Resistance and PCOS for 5 years now. I take 500mg 2x daily for the Insulin Resistance and while initially I lost 20 lbs with the meds it has since come back plus some. Its barely keeping the Diabetes away at this point, my blood sugar levels are just barely in the safe zone. Anyway I've always been told that its really hard to lose weight with these conditions and whether or not its been the power of that suggestion I have certainly had trouble doing anything but gaining over the last several years. So, I'm really nervous that I will be that one the band fails for. Anyone had success despite a diagnosis of IR or PCOS? Thanks in Advance!

Chickie · 10-15-2005, 05:51 PM

I have PCOS & IR (my insulin was 560 when tested over 5 years ago, and my sugars were around 13. I am in Australia, so our values are different, but that is super HIGH)

Anyway, I had much the same story. Lost 10kg over about the first 3 months of being on met, then gained it all back. I was also told by my endo that it would be very hard to lose weight.

I was banded 02/22/05.. And am only 9kg or 19lbs from goal. It can be done.

Granted, I exercised almost every day, and totally changed how I eat, and view food, but it has been so worth it. I went from a AU size 28 (US 26) to an AU 16 (US 14) in 8 months.

(((Hugg) Good luck!

jillrn · 10-15-2005, 07:29 PM

Well I have not been banded yet but I am hoping for Jan too! I have PCOS and IR I took Metformin for a long time, but I never lost any weight with it, now I am taking Avandia. I have actually gained a few pounds of water weight which my dr said is normal on it. I worry that it wont work for me either as very low calorie diets have not helped me either. (800 cal/day) but I have not been able to stay on them longer than 3-4 mo then I go off then back on etc. I never lose any weight though. I am sure I will be part of the slow loser club but I am praying that it helps me to lose some. I need to lose 100-110 pounds but I would be so happy to even loose 75 lbs! Good luck I will follow your progress! Jill

ejezyk · 10-15-2005, 07:49 PM

I have pcos and found out many years ago. I have lost weight before but it was a serious struggle and I always gained it back. I have the thick chin hair I have to manage daily and my addiction to the sugar becaus of the insulin resistance was unbearable I was like a maniac without my sugar fix I would literally have to lay down or stop my car I would get so drowsy with my insulin spikes.
Yes losing weight is very possible I was banded two weeks ago and this is a tool . I have to work very hard on keeping myself out of trouble with the sweet stuff I personally like salty carbs like bread chips and other unspokens. I am also having a real hard time with pregnacy I have and awesome son who is eight but I have had 3 miscarriages in the last 3 years. I finally decided it was me or the food one of us was going to win. I am taking it one day at a time and staying focused.
It os possible anything is I just had to make a decision that I really wanted to do this and be done with the food as my master and commander. (good movie)
Anyway Good luck
Elda

Julie* · 10-15-2005, 10:43 PM

I have PCOS and IR too. I have only had my initial consult with the surgeon but he told me that I am a prime candidate for Lap Band. I am going to choose to believe him on this one!!

I go back in 2 weeks for lots of tests and a trial 5 day fast. I plan on having the surgery in January if all goes as planned.

Good luck!

cissy · 10-15-2005, 11:26 PM

I too have IR & PCOS. I was diagnosed back in 2001 and have gained weight steadily since. The most important thing I have kept in my mind since being banded is to stay away from bread and sodas. They are the enemies! Don't let the fact that you have PCOS keep you from being banded. I made up in my mind that I needed to get the weight off or risk developing full-blown diabetes. I have since lost about 19 pounds.

Jessiebear · 10-16-2005, 11:47 AM

Hey ladies! I too have PCOS & IR. I am not currently taking any meds for it. My little sister also has it. She is really struggling with it right now. I was banded in Jan. 2005. I have lost 43 lbs so far & still losing. There are a lot more women on this board who have PCOS. I have talked with a few of them. You can & will lose weight the band. You have to work with the band though. Don't expect the weight to just fall off cause you have the band. That's where I messed up in the beginning. I expected the band to do all the work for me. Since I figured it out (exercise, protein & low carbs/good carbs) the weight has steadily been falling off. Good luck to you all! Keep us updated!

LALAP · 10-16-2005, 03:23 PM

This is one of my firt times on and i also am IR and have PCOS.I'v been on Met for one year I lost ten lbs. I have been working out at a gym 4x a week and have not taken of any more weight that is why i have started the process of getting banded

Daisybelle · 10-16-2005, 09:15 PM

Before surgery I was taking 1000mg of Glucophage twice a day AND 60 units of Humalog 75/25 twice a day and my blood sugar was still around the 200 mark.

BUT, since the day of my surgery I have not needed any type of medication for my Diabetes. I've been able to control it with diet and exercise alone... SINCE THE DAY OF MY SURGERY! :D Isn't that amazing?

Of course, I still test regularly and my doctor keeps a close watch, and I am very careful about what I eat.. .but if I never saw any results except these I would be extremely happy to have had the surgery.

Poodles · 10-16-2005, 09:49 PM

My OBGYN put me on a low carb diet to regulate PCOS symptoms three years ago. He also put me on Glucophage 500mg once a day.

I was cramping so bad and bleeding so much they were going to do a hystorectomy(sp?). I would go for months without a cycle and then WHAM I was in bed dying for a week. After I went low carb, keeping carbs under 80 a day, my cycles straightened out. I am regular with a 28 day cycle and only cramp on day two and those are under control with Valerian root. I am very glad that I stuck to the diet and think it will really help me when I get the band. I already eat proteins, veggies, and very few carbs.

My best advice for the infertility and PCOS is to go low carb and see what happens. It will also help with the IR. I go by the Atkins approach, but my OBGYN likes South Beach better. Figure what ever works is best, and Atkins works for me.

Good luck!

daniela531 · 10-18-2005, 09:43 PM

I TOO HAVE PCOS - THIS #@&%*%$# :( SYNDROME. I THINK THAT HAVING IT ADDED TO THE REASONS WHY I DID CHOOSE TO BE BANDED. MY DOC TOLD ME THAT PEOPLE WITH PCOS WILL LOSE SLOWER BUT THAT THEY DO LOSE. I WAS JUST BANDED ON 9/19/05 SO LONG TERM ADVICE I CANNOT GIVE BUT IF YOU STICK AROUND I'LL LET YOU KNOW. ;-)

PinkMary · 10-19-2005, 04:09 AM

same s^&*^%%$ here :( i do hope on band that will help me..
argghhh im not in good mood today!!!

almostready76 · 12-30-2005, 06:00 PM

Thank you all sooooooooo much for posting. It was really valuable to me. I to have PCOS and have tried to basically ignore it my whole life (diagnosed at 13) now I am 29 and ready to get banded. I was having to acknowledge that I really need to confront the issue that maybe this too would not help in my quest for healthy weight/lifestyle. I am encouraged and educated having read what you wrote. I haven't dealt with the PCOS due to no insurance most of my life. I think its such a crappy syndrome with a ton of emotional side affects. Years ago I lost almost a hundred pounds on my own (very challenging...many HUNGRY nights) it was at that point that I was blessed with 2 beautiful daughters two years apart. Since then I have been on the pill, just went off in July and haven't had a period. Anyway, now that I have blabbed on and on...We would love to have another baby (our girls are 10 and 8), and I know it won't happen until I get the weight off. Thank you for posting and letting me see that there are others in my same boat. Have a great day!

burnsun · 12-30-2005, 06:16 PM

I have had it really bad with thirteen years of infertility also. Took years to get the right diagnosis- but the band has been the only thing that could keep me on a 1200-1500 cal diet for months at a time and keep the carbs- out! I have done very well according to tmost and super duper according to my dh!

vinesqueen · 12-30-2005, 09:33 PM

I have PCOS but my sugars are just fine

I went into this fully expecting to lose weight and drop sizes just like everyone else. It hasn't happened for me, and it probably won't either, not in any sort of decent time frame.

At the rate I'm going it will take me about 6 years to lose the 95 pounds I need to lose. talk about depressing.

I try to focus on what I've gained instead of what I don't lose. It is very difficult, believe you me, but I'm working my NSV list.

That said, I would get banded all over in a heart beat. My asthma as all but disapeared. And that alone makes the band worth it.