[Firesoulx]

So, I went to the endocrinologist yesterday. I told him about PCOS in my life this far and all that has gone on. He told me the gene for PCOS in our DNA is linked to the gene for weight problems. He said metformin might help but a lot of people don't see huge results. He mentioned me considering weight loss surgery. I thought that I wasn't heavy enough for that but I guess I am. I'm attending a seminar on the 6th to learn more about it.

Has anyone else every considered bariatric surgery to deal with their PCOS and weight problems. He thinks at my weight I'm very likely to end up diabetic with high blood pressure. I've really thought about it a lot and watched a lot of videos, it might not be a bad idea.

I mean I'm 23 and I've been obese since I was 12-13. 10 years of ups-n-downs. Up and down and it's like whenever I lose I always put it back on + more. I think I need a huge lifestyle change.

I watched a youtube channel of a woman who did it with PCOS and she's had great results. It's amazing to see the emotional change in her. To go from shy and sort of mouse-y to strong.

I'm still not so sure about it.
It's a little scary.

[JustSharing83]

Weight loss surgery was never an option for me because I didn't have insurance. It seems to help a lot of people as long as they make permanent lifestyle changes to help keep the weight off.

Weight loss without surgery is possible, but for me it has been very, very slow. I have been at it for going on 5 years. Granted, I haven't always been perfect... My intense cravings for sugar and carbs get the best of me sometimes. But, on my best behavior, I have been capable of losing 5-8 pounds per month. However, all of the weight I have lost has had no impact on my PCOS symptoms, including lack of menstruation. I was always convinced that it would, but I finally realized the problem is too big for me to fix on my own and I sought medical help.

Good luck with making this huge decision, I hope you figure out what is best for you!

[Rana]

I'm not a big fan of surgery.

That's a huge major step with a lot of risks.

Since you're so young, I would go and get a second opinion from another REPRODUCTIVE endocrinologist.

Then, I would do reading and research on PCOS, best diets, supplements and treatments, and work on that.

You are not destined to have diabetes -- recent studies show it can be reversed through diet and lifestyle changes.


The real question is whether you're willing to do the work to make that happen. Bariatic surgery is not easy -- your way of eating has to completely change and you won't be able to be "normal" again.

[kaplods]

I don't have PCOS, but I do have insulin resistance and a host of other health issues including diabetes, autoimmune disease, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure and just a mixed bag of health issues.

A rheumatologist on my first visit with him, told me that I would never lose weight permanently without weight loss surgery. He refused to treat me for my fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and autoimmune disease until I agreed to have the surgery. My family doctor and I had already decided that the risks to me where too great, but the rheumatologist said "we can find a surgeon willing to do the surgery," and told me that he wasn't concerned with the risks (of course they weren't his to take).

I talked to my family doctor some more, and decided that I wasn't willing to accept the risks, and I dumped the rheumatologist. It's taken me a long time to lose the 94 lbs I have, but I'm not at all afraid of gaining the weight back - because I only made changes I was willing to make whether or not weight loss resulted at all. Because frustration with the speed of weight loss was always the reason I quit weight loss attempts in the past, for me it was easier to take weight loss off the table. Weight loss isn't my goal, it's my reward. My goals are all behavior-based, not result based. So my goals are things like (my most recent) going to the gym on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to swim and use the treadmill. My goal at the gym is to always break at least one of my previous records. For example improving the time, speed or distance on either the treadmill or in the pool.

I'm still slow and weak if I were to compare myself to others, but I don't. I only compare myself to myself, and my today me is stronger than my last week me.

I'm not saying that surgery shouldn't be part of your treatment plan for yourself, but it isn't the only option.

[kelly315]

My doctor told me that only people who are insulin resistant or have other blood sugar problems will actually see weight loss on metformin. The first time I was on it, I hadn't changed my eating patterns (didn't eat more or less) and stayed the same weight. If I'm honest, I'd have to say that PCOS never significantly affected my weight- my emotional eating did that for me. I have several friends with PCOS who are in the normal weight range or who are just slightly chubby. So there's really no need to get caught up in the connection between PCOS and weight loss (unless you're insulin resistant) except to say that PCOS symptoms are improved by weight loss.

[kkazz123]

It was discussed with me by my doctor...i was not keen on the idea tho...so he wanted me to commit myself 100% to diet and exercise for a year and if no success then start to investigate it....Ive lost over 180 pounds since (albeit slowly), which shows you can lose weight with PCOS (altho i am not IR). Its a personal thing...for some people its the right resolution, for me it wasnt tho