Laser hair removal during the period of WLS process. - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Hychap2009 · 07-11-2009, 02:53 PM

I have PCOS, as a result I have excessive facial hair and have done for many years. I would like to have laser hair removal done, and have already been for a consultation. I'm on a number of Blood pressure medication and diabetic meds. Firstly, the issue was whether any of my meds would make my skin sensitive. I've been told that it should be ok. So my next concern is , is there any reason why i should not go ahead with the laser treatment even though I'm due to have WLS in the near future, I'm just waiting for my date. Would having laser have any impact on my WLS.

Hyacinth.

Dr. Callery · 09-28-2009, 09:30 PM

Having the laser procedure should not affect your weight loss surgery as long as you plan a couple of weeks in between to recover. However, why not wait until you have lost weight and then reevaluate your need for the laser procedure. Many time the hirsutism is well controlled making the laser work unnecessary.

Here is a reference from the medical literature:
Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2005 Mar-Apr;1(2):77-80.Click here to read Links
Effective treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
Eid GM, Cottam DR, Velcu LM, Mattar SG, Korytkowski MT, Gosman G, Hindi P, Schauer PR.

Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. EidGM@msx.upmc.edu

PURPOSE: Many women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are overweight. This study investigated the impact of weight loss surgery on the clinical manifestations of this disorder in morbidly obese women with PCOS-a major risk factor for the development of heart disease, stroke, and type II diabetes. METHODS: We reviewed the outcomes of women diagnosed with PCOS who had undergone weight loss surgery at the University of Pittsburgh between July 1997 and November 2001. We evaluated the changes in menstrual cycles, hirsutism, infertility, and type II diabetes. RESULTS: A total of 24 women with PCOS were included in the study. Their mean age was 34 +/- 9.7 years. The mean preoperative body weight was 306 +/- 44 lb, with a body mass index of 50 +/- 7.5. All patients were oligomenorrheic. Of the 24 patients, 23 were hirsute. All women underwent elective laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. The mean follow-up period was 27.5 +/- 16 months. The mean excess weight loss at 1 year of follow-up was 56.7% +/- 21.2%. All women resumed normal menstrual cycles after a mean of 3.4 +/- 2.1 months postoperatively. Of the 23 women with hirsutism, 12 (52%) had complete resolution at a mean follow-up of 8 +/- 2.3 months, 6 (25%) had moderate resolution at a mean of 21 +/- 18 months, and 3 had minimal resolution at 34 +/- 14 months. Two women reported no change in their hirsutism at 32 +/- 7 months. Five women were able to conceive after surgery without the use of clomiphene. CONCLUSION: Gastric bypass surgery and its consequent weight loss results in significant improvement of multiple clinical problems related to PCOS.

Lana · 09-29-2009, 05:21 AM

I've been having laser hair removal treatments for the past 7 months or so. My surgery was 8/31. I'm fine, it didn't affect anything one way or another. The place where you're going for the removal should ask you for a list of medications you take. They should know if there are any contraindications. If not, ask your surgeon.

sherry7 · 10-03-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hychap2009

I have PCOS, as a result I have excessive facial hair and have done for many years. I would like to have laser hair removal done, and have already been for a consultation. I'm on a number of Blood pressure medication and diabetic meds. Firstly, the issue was whether any of my meds would make my skin sensitive. I've been told that it should be ok. So my next concern is , is there any reason why i should not go ahead with the laser treatment even though I'm due to have WLS in the near future, I'm just waiting for my date. Would having laser have any impact on my WLS.

Hyacinth.

Hello Hyacinth.

I know this is the "Ask the Doctor" section, but I'll chime in anyway. You might want to save your money and see what happens naturally during the next several months. During the process of weight loss, my PCOS (and the associated symptoms) went away completely. At this point, I just have a few stray hairs on my upper lip that I tweeze once a week or so.

Hychap2009 · 10-07-2009, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lana

I've been having laser hair removal treatments for the past 7 months or so. My surgery was 8/31. I'm fine, it didn't affect anything one way or another. The place where you're going for the removal should ask you for a list of medications you take. They should know if there are any contraindications. If not, ask your surgeon.

Lana,

To date I've had 3 sessions, I can see some results already. I felt I had no choice but to go for it now as plenty of the hair on my face was now turning grey, those will not be able to be treated. I'm hoping that once I've had the surgery and start losing weight, this will impact on the regrowth. The clinic I went to did ask for a list of my medication to see whether any of the drugs I am taking would make my skin sensitive to the laser. I have my surgery in a couple of weeks and my next laser session on November 2nd. The final session will be Jan. 2010. I hope by then I would have lost a fair bit of weight. I feel much more confident already.

ardita · 10-11-2009, 02:36 PM

Thanks, Dr. Callery, for that useful info on hirsutism.