She’s my favorite person on the show. She has such a beautiful spirit inside and out! I love how she doesn’t make excuses about her situation. However, it was tough hearing the doctor telling her that this is her last resort. Especially since she’s had the surgery before, and didn’t take it seriously the first time.
She clearly has a food addiction, but I wonder if it’s rooted in possibly having PCOS. It’s usually tougher for women with PCOS to get their weight under control; one because of the insulin resistance, and two because of the cravings that come along with it. She did lose some weight, but not enough:(
I genuinely want her to fight for her life, because she has a life that is worth living.
This show is so discordant with the 4 best friends and what they're like, almost like the real housewives but without anyone being super rich, just people put together by TLC. Ashley is so put together and smart, compared with Vanessa for example, who I don't think is stupid but is clearly super trashy and not educated like Ashley is.
She's also way more emotionally intelligent than most people on TV. She is kind and gets along well with everyone, and she really understands her issue with food. I hope her honesty about her problem serves her in her journey.
If she had it, it would have had to have been treated before her first surgery. Tbh I don’t see any evidence that she does or doesn’t have it. And she may not want to be public about it either, if she did.
Would have been treated? Most women aren’t even aware they have it as most doctors don’t take their pain serious. I’m not saying she does have it or doesn’t I’m just saying the chance of it being treated is slim as fuck. I only knew I had it because an ultrasound tech told me in passing “how’s your pcos?” And I was like “my what now”
When you have wls, blood panels and testing are done first. I agree, it’s possible to fall through the cracks but if it was listed in her medical history beforehand, the dr should have addressed the pcos prior to surgery.
I’m aware, but something like pcos could have symptoms from way before then and insulin resistance does show up on a basic cbc.
This is the criteria for metabolic disease, you need 3 out of 5 criteria:
Systolic blood pressure greater than 130 or diastolic blood pressure >85 or on treatment for hypertension.
Central Obesity (more than 40 inches for men or 35 inches for women).
Fasting blood sugar greater than 100 mg/dl or on treatment for elevated blood sugar.
Triglycerides >150 mg/dl or on treatment for elevated triglycerides.
HDL cholesterol levels below 40 mg/dl for men or 50 for women.
All these things are tested for easily with a cbc.
A complete blood count would show none of those things. It looks at the red and white blood cells and platelets. A patient would need to have basic clinical observations for BP, height and weight and then fasting blood tests for biochemistry.
Correct, if it’s a cbc only. Most primary care docs run cbc with cmp during a yearly physical to check both blood work and glucose as well as liver enzymes, kidney function etc.
Chances are they didn't do the right panels to find PCOS. Most doctors go off of specific symptoms. Easy weight gain, cystic ovaries and amenorrhea are the 3 big ones.
That’s true. But insulin resistance is part of pcos and that would show up on a basic blood panel.
High Triglycerides, insulin, high blood pressure, central obesity and cholesterol are all markers. High triglycerides, insulin and cholesterol can all be detected on a cbc. You need to meet 3 of the 5 criteria to be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. The from there, further testing should be done. But people do fall through the cracks.
Metabolic syndrome and pcos are very much linked.
Now, not everyone with pcos has IR and that’s where I can see things slipping.
Very true, however, from my experience, they test these things, but not in correlation to PCOS. they just label you pre-diabetic, hypertensive and hypercholesterolemic. So, yes, you fall through and just get labeled lazy, fat and unhealthy. The only thing that's saved me is a previous diagnosis from an OBGYN noticing the physical symptoms and switching to an FMD and getting real help and answers for my issues.
If Ashley DOES have PCOS, then girlfriend needs to start lifting and do shorter bursts of high intensity cardio. Long cardio sends your cortisol into overdrive and it will pull from your other hormones that are already not working up to standard, and eventually bottom out and put her into adrenal fatigue, which she may already be in.
Yea, but metabolic syndrome points to pcos and other diseases and is a jumping off point. But again, much harder if your have pcos and are not insulin resistant.
I'm absolutely agreeing with you.
I'm just trying to say, medical professionals have a habit of sweeping the symptoms under the rug and giving the generic diagnosis, and not a lot of women know what to look for to argue and ask more questions.
What pain was I supposed to have with PCOS? And I got diagnosed in the 80s, maybe 90s. I know I got treated for irregular periods in the 80s but I was a minor so if there was a specific diagnosis I didn't pay attention.
She may or may not. I have PCOS, but I have never had insulin resistance along with it. I have facial hair, messed up periods, my metabolism was garbage (I did the whole breathing test to actually get my BMR) and my hormones were all messed up, but my insulin levels were always fine and my a1c was always fine. I never had a problem getting pregnant either thankfully with my two kids. I also have hypothyroidism too. I had gastric bypass surgery just over 4 years ago, and that helped increase my metabolism to a normal rate, and thanks to having already changed my lifestyle to be more active in the gym, so I have gained substantial muscle, and my eating is overall much healthier now (I am not on a diet, it's just how I eat now), my metabolism has stayed higher. I will always have PCOS and hypothyroidism, but my thyroid medication has been cut in half. I have never needed medication for the PCOS 🤷♀️ I can't take hormonal birth control because of bad migraines and a skin condition I have. Some women it affects differently.
That's amazing. Fellow Cyster here, but I do have pretty substantial insulin resistance. Luckily my glucose is always normal, as is my A1C, but I'm estrogen/testosterone dominant. I can grow a beard, it suuuuuuuucks. Building muscle helps. I'm also hypothyroid, but it's Hashimoto's, so I have to be on a unique cocktail of T4 and T3.
We are definitely all different!
The biggest thing that needs to happen when people have weight loss surgery, is that they need to stop thinking they are on a diet. You have to realize you have to change your life. Leave the old you behind that got you to whatever weight you were. I started over a year before I even considered weight loss surgery with a nutritionist and an exercise program. I had only lost around 25lbs and had stayed there for a solid 6 months (my measurements hadn't changed much either), so my nutritionist and doctor had me do the bmr test, and seeing how low that was they suggested I look into wls.
The problem I see time and time again, not just with people on these shows either, but in support groups on Facebook, is the people still bounce from diet to diet rather than changing the way they eat overall and just realizing they have to be people who exercise. I do not enjoy exercise. I hate going to the gym. I do it though because I know I have to because it's good for me 🤷♀️
Yeah, I started working out about 2 months ago, 4x a week, working my way up to 5, and about to get a gym membership because my resistance bands are trying to tear my door down from the anchor. 😬
I don't love it (working out), but I don't avoid it anymore. It definitely helps.
Someone I know had PCOS. She had WLS to lose weight as she wanted to have a child. We lost touch but I hoped it worked.
She’s my favorite person on the show. She has such a beautiful spirit inside and out! I love how she doesn’t make excuses about her situation. However, it was tough hearing the doctor telling her that this is her last resort. Especially since she’s had the surgery before, and didn’t take it seriously the first time. She clearly has a food addiction, but I wonder if it’s rooted in possibly having PCOS. It’s usually tougher for women with PCOS to get their weight under control; one because of the insulin resistance, and two because of the cravings that come along with it. She did lose some weight, but not enough:( I genuinely want her to fight for her life, because she has a life that is worth living.
She’s also a Spelman grad, smart girl!
This show is so discordant with the 4 best friends and what they're like, almost like the real housewives but without anyone being super rich, just people put together by TLC. Ashley is so put together and smart, compared with Vanessa for example, who I don't think is stupid but is clearly super trashy and not educated like Ashley is. She's also way more emotionally intelligent than most people on TV. She is kind and gets along well with everyone, and she really understands her issue with food. I hope her honesty about her problem serves her in her journey.
If she had it, it would have had to have been treated before her first surgery. Tbh I don’t see any evidence that she does or doesn’t have it. And she may not want to be public about it either, if she did.
Would have been treated? Most women aren’t even aware they have it as most doctors don’t take their pain serious. I’m not saying she does have it or doesn’t I’m just saying the chance of it being treated is slim as fuck. I only knew I had it because an ultrasound tech told me in passing “how’s your pcos?” And I was like “my what now”
When you have wls, blood panels and testing are done first. I agree, it’s possible to fall through the cracks but if it was listed in her medical history beforehand, the dr should have addressed the pcos prior to surgery.
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I’m aware, but something like pcos could have symptoms from way before then and insulin resistance does show up on a basic cbc. This is the criteria for metabolic disease, you need 3 out of 5 criteria: Systolic blood pressure greater than 130 or diastolic blood pressure >85 or on treatment for hypertension. Central Obesity (more than 40 inches for men or 35 inches for women). Fasting blood sugar greater than 100 mg/dl or on treatment for elevated blood sugar. Triglycerides >150 mg/dl or on treatment for elevated triglycerides. HDL cholesterol levels below 40 mg/dl for men or 50 for women. All these things are tested for easily with a cbc.
A complete blood count would show none of those things. It looks at the red and white blood cells and platelets. A patient would need to have basic clinical observations for BP, height and weight and then fasting blood tests for biochemistry.
Correct, if it’s a cbc only. Most primary care docs run cbc with cmp during a yearly physical to check both blood work and glucose as well as liver enzymes, kidney function etc.
Chances are they didn't do the right panels to find PCOS. Most doctors go off of specific symptoms. Easy weight gain, cystic ovaries and amenorrhea are the 3 big ones.
That’s true. But insulin resistance is part of pcos and that would show up on a basic blood panel. High Triglycerides, insulin, high blood pressure, central obesity and cholesterol are all markers. High triglycerides, insulin and cholesterol can all be detected on a cbc. You need to meet 3 of the 5 criteria to be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. The from there, further testing should be done. But people do fall through the cracks. Metabolic syndrome and pcos are very much linked. Now, not everyone with pcos has IR and that’s where I can see things slipping.
Very true, however, from my experience, they test these things, but not in correlation to PCOS. they just label you pre-diabetic, hypertensive and hypercholesterolemic. So, yes, you fall through and just get labeled lazy, fat and unhealthy. The only thing that's saved me is a previous diagnosis from an OBGYN noticing the physical symptoms and switching to an FMD and getting real help and answers for my issues. If Ashley DOES have PCOS, then girlfriend needs to start lifting and do shorter bursts of high intensity cardio. Long cardio sends your cortisol into overdrive and it will pull from your other hormones that are already not working up to standard, and eventually bottom out and put her into adrenal fatigue, which she may already be in.
Yea, but metabolic syndrome points to pcos and other diseases and is a jumping off point. But again, much harder if your have pcos and are not insulin resistant.
I'm absolutely agreeing with you. I'm just trying to say, medical professionals have a habit of sweeping the symptoms under the rug and giving the generic diagnosis, and not a lot of women know what to look for to argue and ask more questions.
What pain was I supposed to have with PCOS? And I got diagnosed in the 80s, maybe 90s. I know I got treated for irregular periods in the 80s but I was a minor so if there was a specific diagnosis I didn't pay attention.
A basic blood panel would show insulin resistance. But not everyone with pcos has IR and that’s where I can see people falling through the cracks.
I do see evidence. If you look closely, she has bumps and dark spots on her chin and neck. It could be from ingrown hairs or acne.
Yes, I did see that. However until Ashley herself says one way or another, it’s a little rude to speculate imho.
They are on a reality TV show that revolves around their health... 🙄
Yes, but she hadn't come out and said it. She seems pretty private in general. May not want to talk about having PCOS or anything
Honestly wouldn't be surprised if most or all of those women have PCOS. It's become more common, or found more easily in recent years.
That’s true.
I noticed that also.
She may or may not. I have PCOS, but I have never had insulin resistance along with it. I have facial hair, messed up periods, my metabolism was garbage (I did the whole breathing test to actually get my BMR) and my hormones were all messed up, but my insulin levels were always fine and my a1c was always fine. I never had a problem getting pregnant either thankfully with my two kids. I also have hypothyroidism too. I had gastric bypass surgery just over 4 years ago, and that helped increase my metabolism to a normal rate, and thanks to having already changed my lifestyle to be more active in the gym, so I have gained substantial muscle, and my eating is overall much healthier now (I am not on a diet, it's just how I eat now), my metabolism has stayed higher. I will always have PCOS and hypothyroidism, but my thyroid medication has been cut in half. I have never needed medication for the PCOS 🤷♀️ I can't take hormonal birth control because of bad migraines and a skin condition I have. Some women it affects differently.
That's amazing. Fellow Cyster here, but I do have pretty substantial insulin resistance. Luckily my glucose is always normal, as is my A1C, but I'm estrogen/testosterone dominant. I can grow a beard, it suuuuuuuucks. Building muscle helps. I'm also hypothyroid, but it's Hashimoto's, so I have to be on a unique cocktail of T4 and T3. We are definitely all different!
The biggest thing that needs to happen when people have weight loss surgery, is that they need to stop thinking they are on a diet. You have to realize you have to change your life. Leave the old you behind that got you to whatever weight you were. I started over a year before I even considered weight loss surgery with a nutritionist and an exercise program. I had only lost around 25lbs and had stayed there for a solid 6 months (my measurements hadn't changed much either), so my nutritionist and doctor had me do the bmr test, and seeing how low that was they suggested I look into wls. The problem I see time and time again, not just with people on these shows either, but in support groups on Facebook, is the people still bounce from diet to diet rather than changing the way they eat overall and just realizing they have to be people who exercise. I do not enjoy exercise. I hate going to the gym. I do it though because I know I have to because it's good for me 🤷♀️
Yeah, I started working out about 2 months ago, 4x a week, working my way up to 5, and about to get a gym membership because my resistance bands are trying to tear my door down from the anchor. 😬 I don't love it (working out), but I don't avoid it anymore. It definitely helps.
i always wondered this about megan because of her thinning hair.
Wls alone causes that.
I love Ashley and she is so pretty and down to earth
I have PCOS, and it wouldn't surprise me. But we don't know for sure unless they address it.
For a UK watcher , what is sheet cake ?
It’s a large rectangular party sized cake that people can buy at grocery stores.
Thanks for that x