PCOS and Surgery...?

Question

I am 28 and have been ttc for 18 months. I have (finally) just seen a gyno who has suggested surgery straight away for cyst drilling and a d&c.

I am quite overweight and suffer a form of arthritis (not weight related) and have tried to lose weight in MANY different ways, the most successful being optifast (which I then found out was not recommended for anyone with PCOS). I am now on Kate Morgan - similar to Optifast, but said to be low GI and PCOS-friendly.

My older sister sees the same gyno for PCOS and infertility and is now 9 months pregnant (my cousin also saw him for PCOS and infertility and now has a 2 year old), but my sister was prescribed metformin, rather than surgery. I'm now a little scared about the surgery, as I keep reading that surgery for PCOS is generally rare and a last resort - this will be my first treatment.

Is this a normal form of treatment?

Answer 1

Wow, I can't believe the doc didn't suggest other means first!!

I'd be getting a second or third opinion.

I was diagnosed with PCOS over 12 months ago and told I would not conceive naturally.

After getting married, I went off the pill, 2 months later I was put on metformin, referred to a nutritionist.dietician and encouraged to loose weight.

I got a gym membership (with a girlfriend for encouragement) and tried to go every other day - and walk an hour a day or so.

3 months later, just after the doc increased my metformin dose, and perscribed an appetite suppressant (very expensive), I took a HPT after not feeling my usualy self. Turns out I was 7 weeks pregnant!!

Do not result to surgery this early in the game. After all my hard work, and ultrasound revealed I had no cysts on my ovaries.......and a baby!!

I am now 12 weeks pregnant and couldn't be healthier!!

Answer 2

I have PCOS and I have been taking metformin for 1 mth now, it makes me realllyyyy sick. But if I get pregnant which my doc says varies from woman to woman I know its worth it. Going straight to surgery would be the easy way, but you may

not  need the surgery having people going digging around in you. If your in a hurry I would try the surgury first, but maybe you just need the med's to help you, but dont take my word for it we are in the same boat. God Bless

Answer 3

OK firstly I have PCOS and am overweight too. I am doing sure slim and my friend is doing kate morgan. I am paying $20 per week and then grocery food on top, she is paying $50 per week and still having to pay for groceries to feed her family and her one meal a day. She has lost wieght (and has no fertility issues to hinder her) but it has been in small lots 200grams, 800grams, etc. I am paying less and getting results faster in less time than she is because it is an individual programe, just for me.

Seondly I have had my PCOS treated with metformin, but this drug only helps if you have insulin resistance (usually you have to have had a glucose tolerance test to see if you have it). If you have been tested and the results were fine it could be why you have been referred for surgery.

The ovarian drilling can stop the symptoms of PCOS nearly immediately and  while it is a temporary thing it can last for up to three years before the symptoms return. It increases ovulation and kind of resets the ovaries and the hormones associated.

It sounds like you need a second opinion to give your mind clarity and you also need to ask your Doctor why they think this is the best course of action. You are doubting a Doctors opinion and seem to not understand why they chose this treatment.

I actually wanted to have the ovarian drilling against the metformin and clomid, but my Doctor didn't have the facilities to do the Op. My PCOS isn't under control (I still need to lose a reasonable amount of weight) but I have had two children via metformin and clomid and have conceived without the need for either drug accidentally. The operation could have reversed things enough so I didn't have to rely on drugs to have my babies.

Answer 4

I'd maybe look for a second opinion. See about being referred to a reproductive endocrinologist for examination and to discuss your options. You may have issues other than the PCOS that's bringing him to the conclusion of cyst drilling but, a second opinion will only concur with this or give a you another route. There's no reason not to see another doctor for their opinion of your situation.

Answer 5

I agree wtih Nicky . . . I would get a second opinion.  Maybe your doctor is completely right and this is the best form of treatment for your situation . . . but there is no harm in consulting an RE for a second opinion.

Good luck!

http://women.webmd.com/laparoscopic-ovar...

Answer 6

h**l NO! it's NOT normal at all to perform invasive surgery before trying a few medications, any doc that goes straight to surgery for something like PCOS needs their licence looked at as it's not right. Get a 2nd opinion NOW, We have a doc like that here and everyone called him Dr Knives (it actually does rhyme with his name) but he is knife happy beyond words, and shouldn't be in practice. A good doc will get you to try a few non-invasive medications to see if they will work first. That's insane that they would send you straight into surgery OMG. don't do it. Metformin would be the best bet to try first at least and ALOT less invasive to your body. and then there's Clomid as well as other ones available that could work.

My 1st daughter was conceived on the 1st try with Metformin and Clomid, and my 2nd daughter was saved as I started Metformin again straight away when I found out I was pg with her. Now TTC#3 on Metformin and Clomid again.

PLEASE get a 2nd opinion, surgery first is not normal AT ALL.