PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) is one reason some women turn to bariatric surgery.
Studies show that bariatric surgery or that popular bariatric procedures like the gastric sleeve and gastric bypass can be effective for helping obese women with PCOS achieve weight loss.
Bariatric surgery can cause a reversal of many of the health problems we typically associate with PCOS.
Common symptoms of this ovary syndrome include insulin resistance and changes in menstrual cycles.
Infertility is another symptom of this condition, as is hyperandrogenism.
Hyperandrogenism is characterized by elevated levels of androgens in the body that cause issues like acne, hair loss on the scalp, inflamed skin (seborrhea), and increased body hair.
Many of today’s bariatric surgeries are minimally invasive and performed laparoscopically, which minimizes risks, scarring, and downtime.
By having weight loss surgery, you can potentially reverse your PCOS symptoms and also get some other important benefits.
What is PCOS?
PCOS is not common. It occurs in around 4% to 8% of the American female population.
The condition is classified as an endocrine disorder and is the most common form of female infertility.
PCOS in women often accompanies obesity.
Studies of obese patients with ovary syndrome show that a mere 5% to 10% loss of your body weight can correct PCOS symptoms.
Bariatric surgery makes this kind of weight loss possible.
Which Bariatric Surgery is Best for PCOS?
There is no one right answer when it comes to identifying the necessary treatment for PCOS and obesity.
The decision to have weight loss surgery deserves much consideration.
Once you have made the decision to have weight loss surgery, you must find the best bariatric surgeon for your needs. Make sure this surgeon has experience performing weight loss surgery on PCOS patients.
After the surgeon confirms a diagnosis of obesity and PCOS, you will learn about the best surgery for your needs. The surgery best suited for you will be one of the following. Each bariatric surgery has its own unique advantages and disadvantages for sufferers of PCOS and obesity.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery
This popular bariatric surgical procedure goes by a few different names. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is one your doctor might use.
The surgery aims to lower your body mass index (BMI) to a healthier level. For this to happen, you will need to shed a considerable number of excess pounds.
There are other benefits to weight loss surgery, which include hormonal control.
The mechanisms involved with surgery are like flipping a metabolic switch. Suddenly, it’ll become easier to lose the excess pounds.
As a sufferer of obesity, you may know first-hand the hardships of trying to lose weight. Sweating in the gym and cutting calories only do so much.
Weight loss surgery changes that by making it much easier to lower your weight to a healthier level.
During the gastric sleeve, the surgeon removes a major portion of your stomach. The remaining portion is surgically stapled together to create a vertical pouch or sleeve.
The sleeve is in the shape of a banana and limits the amount of food you can eat. All the critical parts of your stomach remain. The part that is removed is primarily the one that controls ghrelin, the hunger hormone. With a majority of that stomach tissue cut away, your body won’t also produce as much ghrelin, which helps you control your appetite.
This combination of calorie restriction and appetite control is why gastric sleeve is so successful in helping obese patients lose weight.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is another popular bariatric surgery in the United States.
The surgery also involves the removal and reshaping of the stomach.
You’ll be left with a banana-shaped sleeve that limits your food portions.
Gastric bypass surgery takes things a bit further.
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is rearranged by connecting your newly configured stomach pouch to the lower part of your small intestine.
This GI alteration lets the food you eat bypass a majority of your stomach and small intestine.
With smaller food portions and diminished calorie and nutrient absorbency, the excess weight comes off more easily.
Lap Band
Laparoscopic banding is one of the most well-known bariatric surgeries. It doesn’t tend to produce as much weight loss as the gastric sleeve and gastric bypass, but it can be a good first step to surgery if your doctor recommends it.
The procedure is short and involves the placement of an adjustable silicone band containing a balloon around the upper portion of your stomach.
The surgeon uses the laparoscopic tools to adjust the size of the band. He will do it by injecting a saline solution into the balloon through a port placed under the skin.
What the surgeon is really adjusting is the size of the opening of your stomach, which is now configured to force you to eat less.
You will need to schedule follow-up visits so the surgeon can assess and readjust the size of the band if needed.
If you’re ready to discuss your bariatric surgery options now, schedule a consultation with a bariatric surgeon like Dr. Babak Moeinolmolki of Healthy Life Bariatrics in Los Angeles, California.
Will Insurance Pay for Bariatric Surgery for PCOS?
Your insurer may cover bariatric surgery. In addition to treating PCOS, bariatric surgery has been shown to reverse symptoms of other medical conditions like type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, and cardiovascular disease.
It is important that you contact your insurer before scheduling surgery to identify your unique coverage terms. Medical financing is always available to help you pay for surgery when insurance can’t or only foots part of the bill.
Many bariatric surgeons have applications for bariatric surgery financing at the front desk. Approval takes minutes and you could also obtain a line of credit with affordable and easily manageable repayment terms.
Treat PCOS and Obesity with Bariatric Surgery
By deciding to have bariatric surgery, you finally give yourself a chance to lose the excess weight to become your healthiest.
Losing even a small percentage of your weight, which will occur in the first few months, can help you reverse the symptoms of PCOS.
If you are currently bothered by infrequent periods, excess body hair, insulin resistance, and infertility, bariatric surgery could reverse those symptoms sooner than you expect.
When it comes to infertility, obesity is also one of the factors that can bar you from IVF treatment.
By having bariatric surgery, you open yourself up to the possibility of having children naturally or through IVF once your BMI has reached a healthier level.
Are There Risks to Bariatric Surgery?
All surgeries come with risks. Since bariatric surgery is a major operation, there are both short- and long-term risks.
The risks commonly associated with the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and lap band procedures include excessive bleeding, infection, blood clots, and lung or breathing problems.
Other risks can include bowel obstructions, gallstones, malnutrition, and ulcers. The risks you face are different depending on the surgery you have. We will discuss these with you before you schedule your procedure but do your own homework, so you’re well prepared on the day of surgery.
Do You Suffer from Obesity and Polycystic Ovaries?
When obesity and PCOS occur together, bariatric surgery can be an effective method for achieving a slimmer body and greater health. You can also reverse the symptoms of PCOS, including hormonal imbalances, weight balance, period irregularities, and fertility.
The benefits don’t stop there. Bariatric surgery can also treat obesity-related diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
Schedule an Assessment for Bariatric Surgery as a Treatment for PCOS
To learn more about bariatric surgery and its effect on your weight and PCOS, schedule a consultation with Dr. Babak Moeinolmolki of Healthy Life Bariatrics.
Dr. Moeinolmolki and his compassionate staff are ready to help you get healthy. Dial now to book from anywhere throughout Los Angeles, Encino, and Glendale, California. (310)881-8538.