For those who have PCOS

Hi,

Doný worry, the pcos is a blood test to see if two specific hormones are balanced in the correct way. They don't need to really check you out in any other way - sometimes people get ultra sounds to look for cysts, but some people with pcos don't actually have cysts! Good Luck:)

__________________

Hi,

I was diagnosed with PCOS 28 years ago (back then it was called Stein-Leventhal disease). Anyway, for years there was no real treatment for PCOS, other than birth control pills which helped regulate my menstral cycle and clear up the acne.

About 8 years ago my insulin resistance became full-fledged type-2 diabetes. I saw a new, young doctor and he decided he would like to try me on Metformin. I resisted for awhile, not wanting to take more meds. Finally, a nurse-practitioner convinced me to take Metformin after she explained the connection between PCOS and IR/diabetes. It was truly like a miracle drug for me. I began having very normal and regular monthly cycles and my lower-abdominal area decreased in size due to the reduction of cysts.

I still had fertility problems and never became pregnant, but ended up adopting. :)

I continued to struggle with my weight and hair growth. I had IPL treatments for the hair growth and have now been banded to help with the weight issue.

I feel, for the first time in my life, that I have a chance at being a "normal" woman!!

A great support site, if you don't already vist there, is soul cysters. Lots of good info and tons of women with great stories!

__________________



Banded on 6-24-09
Beginning weight: 231,Current: 201
8/11: 1st fill - 3cc, 8/24: 2nd fill - 1cc
9/14: 3rd fill - .75cc 10/12: 4th fill - .65cc (5.4 cc ttl)

I too was diagnosed very young..16 to be exact I was 9yrs old when I started my cycle and was one of those really busty 12 yr olds. After age 16 my cycles were like 3 times a year. I was given Xenical and bc for my cycle and weight. I dropped like 30 lbs and was soo happy. This is a very expensive and uncomfortable $120 a bottle.

I joined softball and worked out hard. Then after graduation I got pregnant!! I was soo not ready but I steped up. She is the best thing that ever happened to me. Halie is now 7 and is soo precious to me. I married her father(HS sweethearts).

After 2 yrs of breast feeding I gained 80 lbs...SNAP just like that! No bc for 6 years bcuz I was hoping to get pregnant again, I was afraid that the bc would really screw me up. In 08 my gyno gave me metformin and My cycles are back. I have still not commited to bc. Although I will start taking them before I have the band. I have been at 222lbs for 3 yrs no more no less! Metformin is great but I still have hair issue... Help!!

I can't wait to be normal one day. I feel like this is such a disfiguring condition. I feel like I robbed my husband!! My body was slammin!! Now I work out and just bulk up. I feel so manly. The band, I feel is the only way to really get the PCOS under control. OH GET THIS!! I went for my sono and the tech was like, too bad you cant have babies cause of your cystic ovaries... I was like b*tch don't diagnose me your a tech!(in my mind) The nerve!!.. she felt pitty for me yet she condemed me to feel worthless and hopeless!!

Oh, man, that makes me so angry. I can't tell you how many times I have had nurses make comments that were none of their business to make. And the worst part is I was too timid to tell them that. Arggggggh.... Sorry you had to endure that thoughtless tech.

Wow someone who can relate... Yeah I have just swallowed those moments Hard! I know that this is the best thing for me and my Health... My Mom just told me " You better have this done before you have no options due to the med. reform crisis. I heard on the news that there are rumors The Obese might be taxed one day. Scary huh!! Like its not expensive enough to shop at Lane Bryant and be considered a Pre exsisting condition before you can sign up for health ins. But in some parts of the country you can have a sex change... Unbelievable... Sorry just venting a lil

I had struggled with PCOS for half of my life, then last year I was banded. My PCOS would cause me to have long and heavy bleeding. Once I was almost put into the hospital for a transfusion... But, since being banded I have had a year of normal cycles. It has been regular since a month after surgery. I have been given the OK to start trying for a baby, so it is fun times ;)

__________________

Banded: 9/2/08...

100 lbs gone with-in 10 months post-op!!!!

Just popping in to say hello. I too have PCOS and IR, was diagnosed with it by a fertility doctor after an ovarian ectopic pregnancy. I get several large and painful cysts on my ovaries monthly.

I went undiagnosed for years in my early 20's. I gained a 100 pounds in less than a year. I was able to lose the weight by basically starving myself and doing 2 hours of step aerobics a day -- but I couldn't keep that up.

As I got older I decided having a baby was my number priority, so I went through several treatments and had a baby a year ago! A dream come true for someone who is told that they can not have children.

Anyway, after having my baby I decided it was finally time to concentrate on me, which led to my LAP-BAND® decision. I will be banded Sept. 30 and I am so excited!

Concerning laser hair removal - LOVE IT! One of the best things I have ever invested in!

i have PCOS too and i was told by a few docs that with my surgery it will go away is that true?

Hi Shelly!

LAP-BAND® doesn't make PCOS go away...a better way to describe it is...it puts it in remission or on hold. All of my symptoms are significantly gone but can be back if I did an unfill.

I had/have severe, severe PCOS and learned this summer where I 'have' to be fill wise to be at my hormonal best. If I get a fill taken out, I am curled up in bed and a hormone wreck. On a scale of 1-10 (ten feeling OUTSTANDING)....before diagnosis I was a -7, working with a hormone doc brought me to a 5, and LAP-BAND® restored me to a 9.8...which I am happy to be at.

This surgery has been a gift to many....I hope it is for you as well. Ask any other questions, we are here for you. ;)
LB

__________________
Surgery: 9/19/08, Self Pay
I have PCOS/IR

Start/Current/Goal
230/197/170

Running a marathon leg in a few weeks!! Whoop!