PCOS and weight loss surgery

imachelst2016
imachelst2016 Posts: 2 Member
edited July 2016 in Health and Weight Loss
I was diagnosed with PCOS at 18(now 36) and recently was taken off of birth control due to age and other risk factors. I have only had my cycle once since stopping the pill and have gained even more weight. I have read about weight loss surgery, but have been unable to find any information about success rates in those with PCOS. I hate the thought of the surgery, but also worry about increased health issues. Any thoughts?

Replies

  • EllieRR03
    EllieRR03 Posts: 8 Member
    I'm doing it naturally with PCOS.
  • imachelst2016
    imachelst2016 Posts: 2 Member
    Do you follow any special eating plans? I have given up soda and reduced alcohol intake; nutritionist's only suggestion was to keep a food log.
  • EllieRR03
    EllieRR03 Posts: 8 Member
    Keep your food log here in MFP! Also make sure you follow your calorie intake on here, it's so helpful. I've lost weight following this.
    I don't drink alcohol any more (only special ocassions) but that's because it reacts with a lot of my medications.
    I don't follow a special eating plan at all.. I just eat low energy and then treat myself with the left over calories. Increasing physical activity has been the most beneficial for me :)
  • EllieRR03
    EllieRR03 Posts: 8 Member
    Try sugar free soda or sparkling water if that's something you find hard to not have. I haven't given up chocolate which is my biggest weakness, I just fit it in my calorie allowance for the day.
  • Gerbsxyng412
    Gerbsxyng412 Posts: 86 Member
    My PCOS is under control.. I lost 79 lbs and started getting proper nutrition into my body. I've had normal periods past 3 years, I have struggled with it since 13 and I am 32 now
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    Log correctly and hit your calorie goal, that's all you have to do - but you have to do it, consistently.
  • tryett
    tryett Posts: 530 Member
    I have pcos and am watching my calories and my carb intake. For some reason only that combination works for me. I am not doing keto, but try to limit my carb intake to between 50-100 carbs per day. I started with macros that were suggested by a dietician and she said to adjust them until I found a combination that kept me satisfied.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    kommodevaran wrote: »
    Log correctly and hit your calorie goal, that's all you have to do - but you have to do it, consistently.

    This.

    You can experiment with reduced carbs, if you would like. It isn't a requirement for all women with PCOS but many do find it helpful. In my bigger weight loss phase I usually ate around 100-125 grams of carbs per day. That's not extremely low and it wasn't difficult for me to do without feeling like my diet was very restricted. If you are going to try reducing carbs I would suggest easing them down and not trying to eat the very minimum from the start.
  • manicmuse1
    manicmuse1 Posts: 17 Member
    edited August 2016
    I strongly suggest against the surgery. I had a doctor try to push me down that path about 10 years ago. He was someone who did not understand PCOS and decided that I was just over eating. At the very least, I would suggest placing the list of possible complications from the surgery with those of PCOS. I found that many of them over lapped. I have had doctors tell me that would not have resolved my issues and could have just worsened my issues by creating malnutrition.

    I was diagnosed at 11 and now I am 28. I have been through the ringer with this disorder. I can no longer do the medications because I get adverse side effects from them. Metformin tanks by blood sugar to the point I faint. Spirlatone makes my kidneys fail.

    I had some traumas here in the last few years after being blessed with the miracle of having a baby, despite the fact I had been told I was baron because of the severity of my PCOS. Bottom line, I hit rock bottom at 326 pounds. I was so frustrated.

    Long story short, I stumbled upon Keto Paleo thanks to my father and a PCOS Summit. I have found this is something I will be able to do for the rest of my life. It was a drastic change but so worth it.

    I am 40 pounds down so far.

    I am not sure the info is still available but here is the link for the PCOS summit:

    http://www.pcosaa.org/events/2016pcossummit



    Please at least look into the research about ketosis, Paleo with PCOS. Some helpful information would be AIP, auto immune paleo. It really is impressive. Some medical journals are starting to view PCOS as an auto immune disorder instead of just some minor hormone imbalance. When I read their findings, it was so eye opening on how PCOS messes with just about every part of my bodies functions.


  • Bearbo27
    Bearbo27 Posts: 339 Member
    I have PCOS and am able to lose weight by logging my calories here, and staying under my calorie goal set by this site. I wouldn't recommend weight loss surgery personally. I had put on a lot of weight over the past several years and kept blaming my PCOS. As soon as I log my food intake though, I am always shocked at how much I was eating. As soon as I dropped that intake down, I am down 16 pounds and have been logging for 30 days. It is possible and I encourage you to log here and give it several months of logging. Weigh your food, log everything and you will be successful.

    As for the weight loss surgery though... It is not something to do lightly. You still have to watch what you eat and there are tons of restrictions. There are also tons of possible side effects. My mom had it done and while it was beneficial for her immediate health issues, it was not without side effects for her.

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