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I have been craving sweets and carbs the last month like crazy. I was disappointed in myself and didn't understand how I suddenly couldn't resist these things. Today I decided to check my blood sugar about an hour after eating because I felt just awful. My blood sugar was at 52. I have been googling and searching to see what would cause my blood sugar to drop and me not being diabetic. In a comment in one article it stated that weight loss surgery can cause reactive hypoglycemia because the carbs go straight to the intestines. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

Hi everyone. New to the forum. I had gastric bypass in 2010. It has been six and half years. I weighed 232 pounds prior to sx. Within 9 months I weighed 145 pounds and that is pretty much where I have stayed for the past six years. I wear a size 8. I weigh every day and when I hit 150 I cut back until I am at 145 again. I still "dump" almost weekly but not as severely or as easily as in the beginning. By "dump" I mean if I eat too much sugar I feel nauseous and need to lie down for awhile. No sweating, no beating heart, just want to throw up but can't. miserable. One year after sx at my check up my labs were normal except for K was low. I did not do any more follow ups until this summer. I called my bariatric surgeons office and explained I wanted to touch base. I just left my appointment. Oh...I have a confession. Four years ago I quit taking my mult-Vitamin and Calcium. I have been religious with my B12 and VitD however. My labs were all completely normal. I did confess my lapse of the multi and calcium to the doc; to my relief he told me since my labs were normal that essentially I am absorbing what I need from my food. He told me to keep doing what I am doing and I told him he probably would not see me again unless I encountered a problem. In addition to still dumping (which I am glad I do; but he said is patients usually do not dump so far out) I have an occasional episode of reactive hypo-glycemia. If I eat clean I can avoid both situations but I still have the head that got me fat in the first place, so there you have it. Just thought some might be interested in this info from someone a ways out from sx.

Sha0717 I am hypoyjroid also and just have. 50 lbs to lose. I was approved because of OA in left knee and hypo struggles and borderline diabetic.. Are you still happy with results? I have surgery in 2 days

The following Abbreviations are commonly used on this discussion board: ACL = Anterior cruciate ligament AMRAP = As Many Rounds As Possible (crossfit) BB = belly button bc = because BCBS = Blue Cross/Blue Shield BED = Binge Eating Disorder bf = best friend BM = bowel movement BMI = Body Mass Index bp = blood pressure BPD = Borderline Personality Disorder or Biliary Pancreatic Diversion bs = blood sugar btw = by the way CBT = cognitive-behavioral therapy CC = common channel c diff = clostridium difficile cos or cuz = because CPAP = continuous positive airway pressure CRNP = certified registered nurse practitioners cw = current weight CXR = Chest X-Ray Dr. = doctor DS = Dumping Syndrome or Duodenal Switch EGD = Esophagogastroduodenoscopy EKG = Electrocardiography ff = fat free GERD = gastroesophageal reflux disease GI = gastrointestinal GNC = General Nutrition Corporation store GP = general practitioner or family doctor HBP = high blood pressure hr = heart rate hw = highest weight ICU = Intensive Care Unit Idk = I don’t know IMHO = in my humble (honest) opinion IMO = in my opinion IUI = Intrauterine insemination LAP Band = Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band lol = laughing out loud LSG = Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy med = medicine MFP = my fitness pal msg = message NASH = Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis nf = non fat NG = Nasogastric NP = nurse practitioner NSAIDS = Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug NSV = non-scale victory (“scale” means “weight scale”) NUT = nutritionist OA = Overeaters Anonymous Onederland = a magical place or destination for those trying to lose weight. It might correspond to attaining a weight in the hundreds or losing a hundred pounds. op = operation OSA = Obstructive sleep Apnea Oz = Australia PB = Productive Burps PCOS = Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCP = Primary Care Physician PM = private message (email) PMS = premenstrual syndrome POSE = Primary Obesity Surgery Endolumenal postop or post–op = post-operation or post-surgery PPI = Proton Pump Inhibitors ppl = people preop or pre-op = pre-operation or pre-surgery PTSD = Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder PVC = Premature ventricular contractions RA = Rheumatoid arthritis RH = reactive hypoglycemia RN = registered nurse RNY = Roux-en-Y RTD = ready to drink SADI-S = single anastomosis duodeno–ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy s/f or sf = sugar free SIPS = stomach intestinal pylorus-sparing surgery smh = shaking my head, scratching my head SO = significant other SOB = shortness of breath sw = weight at surgery tmi = too much information TPN = total parenteral nutrition TT = tummy tuck TTC = trying to conceive Ty = Thank you. [but according to the urban dictionary “Ty” is also an abbreviation for “a total stud with a massive carrot”.] u = You UGI = Upper Gastrointestinal VSG = Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Vit = Vitamin wks = weeks WLS = Weight Loss Surgery WOD = Workout of the Day w/o = without wt = weight or :-) = = smiley face or :-( = = sad face

Thank you everyone. I've been gone for awhile because I got busy again but I got my blood test back and my hemoglobin was low (10.6) and my fasting blood sugar was 106. ???? I still am having the strange sensations of pressure coming down from my head and being dizzy when I stand up. At first, it was just after eating food but now it's after I take my medicine and after I eat food. My PCP still isn't doing anything and my surgeon hasn't called back yet to schedule any test. I see my APRN tomorrow afternoon and I am going to talk to her about the medication and how it's affecting me. I've been on zoloft, wellbutrin, and risperidone since 2011, its not working and it's time for a change. I also took my medical symptoms into my own hands and did some research on it. It seems I really do have reactive hypoglycemia or POTS. Also, my surgeon isn't doing anything about my bleeding because its bright red blood...its not in his "medical jurisdiction". ???? It was dark red one time but that wasn't enough to worry him? I just can't figure out why no one is helping me down here other than the fact I have medicaid and they treat us badly.

This link helps to describe the condition. https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass

It is called reactive hypoglycemia and I have had several episodes over the last 22 months. It usually happens if you eat too much sugar in a day and can be difficult to stop the vicious cycle. Your body starts to get used to that higher sugar level and when you don't get it, reactive hypoglycemia kicks in. I have gotten it when I start my day with cream of wheat and don't follow it with a high Protein snack. I eat a lot of fruit so that is where my usual sugar comes from and that will cause it. You have to find your happy spot where you can have some sugar in your life but not enough that your body wants more. I have talked with my Bariatric doctor about it and he suggested if I am going to have something sweet or carby like Cereal, I need to follow it with high protein snack within an hour or so. That has worked for me as I am not willing to give up the fruit I eat. I have since refrained from eating cream of wheat on a regular basis. I do have it once in a while though

Your list of symptoms included: * Extreme fatigue * Feeling dizzy upon standing * Feeling fainting when standing up too long * Feeling weak after eating. Several individuals that undergo RNY gastric bypass surgery experience a condition called Reactive Hypoglycemia. It is a form of low blood sugar. This occurs in individuals that had diabetes prior to surgery but also in those that don't. You experience a large drop in blood sugar around from 1-3 hours after a meal. It catches some people by surprise because they faint, dropping onto the floor. But it can also be corrected by recognizing the signs of low blood sugar and reacting or by modifying the way you eat. https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass This link describes some of the symptoms of the condition. http://www.weightlosssurgery.ca/before-after-surgery/reactive-hypoglycaemia-post-gastric-bypass/ If this matches some of your symptoms, you might read up on the condition using the internet. I am not sure about some of the other symptoms but you are taking quite a bit of medication (vistaril, remerom, zoloft, wellburtrin) and you may have some bad interactions happening. The most important elements after RNY gastric bypass surgery is to meet your Protein, Fluid and Vitamin daily requirements. food is secondary because your body is converting stored fat into the energy that drives your body. Thus you lose weight. Weight loss is achieved by meal volume control. At 10 months post-op, this should be around 3/4 cup per meal. So back to basics, reverify that you are meeting the prescribed requirements for protein, fluids and Vitamins. This article describes my experience after RNY gastric bypass surgery. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery.pdf Life is full of trade offs. In my case I had high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea and severe acid reflux (GERD) prior to surgery. I traded my love of food for good health. At 3 years post-op, I am content with that decision. I have been able to find some pleasure in eating again. I found mixing food groups together provided some flavor. I also found that softer foods such as chili and Soups went down much easier than harder foods such as steak. I hate Protein shakes and no longer take these. But I did this by fortifying the protein that I consume in meals. "Protein First". Anyways at the end of the article, I have included some recipes if you care to try them.

I'm glad I found this thread. I have Hashimoto's and fully expect to not lose weight as fast as some others when I finally get the surgery. I was diagnosed with hypo about 18 years ago, and diagnosed with Hashi's about 7 years ago. Finally everything made sense, ya know? Nice to connect with others going through the same.

@ - Not good. When you are waking up exhausted and taking two anti-depressants, well "Huston we have a problem." (Check out crazymeds.org - best site for really monitoring the effect of these drugs). There is an art and a science of medicine. The science is "appendix burst, take it out"). The art is how to do it without creating more problems. The meds you are on are really on the art side. You have to work with the docs and tell them how it is working. You have to know how long does it take before this stuff should have an effect. For instance...I take Welbutrin. It takes a month before I should expect any changes. I marked on my calendar. You need to write this down so you have real info to give to your doc. This is a partnership. Please take it that seriously. If I seem to be over reactive, well I am with this stuff. It's not like eating a piece of pizza, it can be really bad.

No regrets whatsoever. Even while I was readmitted to the hospital after being home 6 days. Had an infection which caused my body to created a reactive Fluid which collected around my left lung (plural effusion). Spent 2 weeks on med-surg unit and then a week in physical rehab (3 weeks total in hospital). I was the minute exception who had a post-surgical complication. Still no regrets

First, a 70 in the morning isn't really "too low". When it drops into the 60's, then it is considered a hypo. Are you on medications or insulin for diabetes? If so, you may need to talk to your Endo regarding cutting back on meds. I am still on insulin, but I only use it for basal now, and I've lowered my amounts once already. I've woken up with some blood sugars in the 70's, but until it is consistent, I won't lower again yet. Surgery does help blood sugars to fall in place for diabetics. That is why the bypass surgery is highly recommended to Type 2 diabetics. I would just keep your eye on your blood sugars right now. If you see it going too low, make sure you have something to raise it quickly. Glucose tabs should not cause dumping. I'd also have some gel, or Fluid glucose on hand.

@@Renkoss I learned my lesson that day with the glucose tabs. My sugar was too low, I couldn't find them and I don't keep juice in my home. I literally tore the cabinet apart and found them and then even struggled to open the container because I was shaking so bad. Now, they sit right on my end table. They are opened and ready to use. I do not use Protein powder at all. Because I have kidney problems I have to be careful not to have more than 70 grams of protein per day. I get that between my one premier Protein shake that I have every morning religiously and my other meals. I have oatmeal or cream of wheat very rarely when I have a craving for it and have learned that I just need to make sure I get that protein snack between. I have found that if you let more carbs into your diet on a regular basis the chance of you developing reactive hypoglycemia is much higher. I try not to let that happen but there are days I simply want something besides protein and veggies. I eat a lot of fresh fruit, dehydrated apple chips and once per day I have a starch in one of my meals. My nut believes in a balanced approach vs. just protein and veggies and so far it has worked for me. Thankfully I only experience that reactive hypoglycemia on occasion. The bad part is when it happens you can actually cause it to go on all day. I have learned to stop it as soon as it happens.

Just deactivated all of my social media accounts with the exception of this group! I'm ready to start phase 2 of my WL journey. When I reactivate my account I'll be 50 pounds or more lighter!!!! I'm planning on having a big makeover and a full body profile pic as opposed to just headshots. Wish me luck, hold me accountable, whose ready to join my "Big Reveal Adventure"? Let's do this!!! Workouts start in the morning. Excited, no longer will food nor fat control Me!

I was wondering when you had surgery and what type. There could be several causes. Here is an internet link. http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/bleeding-digestive-tract?page=2 So whatever the condition it needs to be examined and identified by a doctor. The fact that you had chest pains is also disturbing. The dizziness sounds like you are experiencing low blood sugar. If you were on diabetes medicine or insulin prior to surgery, it may be time to adjust down your dosage or complete eliminate the medicine. Many individuals who had gastric bypass also experience reactive hypoglycemia. But this condition normal first occurs in patients that are over 1 year post-op. https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass

As I understand it (purely from reading research studies, not from personal experience), reactive hypoglycemia is a post-WLS condition more likely to occur in RnY patients than sleeved patients, although it's not unheard of among sleevers. Sorry you guys are having to deal with this. Best to you.

Does this happen to you? I had my RNY in March of 2014 and some days the struggle to keep my blood sugar steady is a challenge. Sometimes it is because I eat too many carbs in a meal, but sometimes I can have a balanced Breakfast and I still get shaky after an hour or two. I'm getting much better about managing it. Here is the thing I can not figure out. I have a diagnosis of ADD. I take Adderall (which is a stimulant) but the side effects in combination with my dietary needs can be hard to manage so I do take days off. But the strangest side effect of all is that when I'm on it my blood sugar stays very steady. Initially I thought it was because I'm eating a lot less but I can eat the same thing for breakfast and my blood sugar will drop a few hours later if I haven't taken the Adderall. My other other hypothesis is that I'm much more active on weekend mornings than I am on work day mornings so maybe that's causing my blood sugar to drop faster. I really have no idea but I'm thankful for the unexpected side effect. So anyone else struggling with this? It's a pain, like when I blacked it at the gym or almost passed out getting tattooed, but I am slowly learning to manage it.

It could be a Vitamin issue. For example B12. If your taking it using a time release tablet instead of a subliminal tablet or if you are taking the wrong type of B12 (it should be methylcobalamin). But I don't think that is the problem in your case. The clue is in the symptoms that you described. Low blood pressure reading, tired, lightheaded, fainting. Some patients after weight loss surgery develop a condition called "reactive hypoglycemia". Here is a link. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/expert-answers/reactive-hypoglycemia/faq-20057778 and another link http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/060415p48tip.shtml If this is the cause, you want to become aware of the problem and the simple steps that need to be taken before it progresses to passing out.

Me, too. Getting a potential breast cancer diagnosis and considering preventative double-mastectomy has made me say "eff it" and make bad food choices. I've been eating like a hog, with little discretion. This is a set-back, I know, and temporary. That said, I've gained 5 pounds. Sucks, but I know EXACTLY where I went wrong, and it's all reactive to the cancer scare. Will be getting biopsies tomorrow and will be eating according to the results.....! LOL! xxoo

Some individuals who undergo RNY gastric bypass surgery experience Reactive Hypoglycemia. It is caused by low blood sugar a few hours after a meal. Here is a link that describes the condition. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/expert-answers/reactive-hypoglycemia/faq-20057778 This condition can cause you to faint or lose your balance. Signs and symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia may include hunger, weakness, shakiness, sleepiness, sweating, lightheadedness, anxiety and confusion. Generally those that experience this condition can manage it without much difficulty because they can detect the signs and take something (such as a small glass of fruit juice) to stop it. https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass It might be rather then the stress causing the fainting; is that the low blood sugar is causing the fainting and amplifying the stress. I have no idea about the stomach pains. Maybe it is an ulcer.

I had Type 2 diabetes prior to surgery and was on two types of medication for it. But after RNY gastric bypass surgery 3 years ago it went into remission and stayed there. But Type 1 diabetes is a different beast. I know that some individuals that undergo surgery develop a type of low blood sugar called "reactive hypoglycemia". I am no doctor but it seems that the same approach that these individuals follow with this condition may be applicable to your condition. Here is one link but if you get on the computer, I believe you can find more. http://pamtremble.blogspot.com/2010/10/reactive-hypoglycemia-after-bariatric.html So your nutritionist/surgeon staff are probably the best to answer this. It is definitely a discussion point.

@@Inner Surfer Girl Great article. Many factors on diabetics and surgery that are still in the research phase. The surgery does amazing things with diabetics. People off medication. Getting their health back. This is what I have experienced as a type 1 Diabetic...In perspective of complications with surgery, This is not a big thing to manage. (only two concerns driving and sleeping) I had no pancreas function before surgery. After surgery at 6 months out. My pancreas started working by releasing large amounts of insulin. The Insulin release drops your blood sugar. (reactive hypoglycemia) Normal range of blood sugar is 120 - 70. The low blood sugar can happen at any time..No pattern to them. I'm not sure how to explain this so bare with me...Here is how I manage what is going on. 6:35pm Test..BS 70..I don't want it to go lower. I eat a meal. 6:40pm test BS 66 - Drink orange juice 6:50pm test BS 105..I'm Normal 7:41pm I'm shaky dizzy..test BS 62 orange juice and a Protein & vegetable snack 8:12pm test BS 168..I feel safe enough to sleep. My lowest was 24 in the middle of the night. So with that..If I have sugar in large amounts..I will still have high blood sugar and use Insulin. I hardly use my insulin because I eat healthy and exercise. I am a well controlled type 1.

I am no doctor so take anything I say with a grain of salt. Lightheadedness can be a sign of low blood sugar. Some patients develop a type of hypoglycemia called "reactive hypoglycemia". Here is one link to the condition but if you search the internet you might find more. https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass After surgery, the three most important elements are meeting your daily Vitamin, Fluid and Protein goals. So make sure this is not a problem. Also I never eat near bedtime. My body digest food differently when I am in a horizontal state than when I am in a vertical state. Also prescription drugs and even some over the counter medicine can have some adverse side effects.

@@Wayward Traveler Hey! Thanks for the reply, I have ventured to the gym twice. The first day was just 40 minutes on the treadmill, I found medium incline and a moderate walking pace was my best bet. I definitely feel like running is a little far off, I get the feeling that the jarring motion would make the balloon... uncomfortable? I can't say I feel it specifically in my stomach, but I'm aware of the weight of it and it can move a bit. For instance, if I'm in bed and I roll onto my right side to turn off a lamp or grab my phone I can feel the balloon sort of bear down on the remainder of my stomach. It's not painful by any means, but certainly peculiar and unpleasant. I think if I were to run any great distance/duration I might get the same sensation in an up/down kind of way (I'm trying to avoid saying the balloon would 'bounce' because I feel it's pretty secure in situ, but it would definitely maybe push as I move up and down). So running, short term, maybe for a warm up or something I think would be fine, but not as a complete form of exercise. At least not for me after only one week. Today I tried my hand at the cross trainer, basically fine, though I did get a little... er, fullness (?) around the diaphragm (not heartburn, but like something was sitting low in my chest?) when I started to get a bit too high intensity, I think it was the twisting through the torso that caused that. I calmed it down by shifting my hands from the long moving grips to the short, stationary ones for a minutes or so, so that I twisted a little less. So, anyway, I was pretty happy with the outcome. Now, Krav Maga! Oh my goodness I love it! I started it last year and I have zero regrets. Not only is it a great workout, but its a useful skill to have under your belt. The practice I go to is for people 18 and above and it's pretty serious about what it does, but that works for me because no one is there to waste time. For my first class I rocked up feeling like I'd be this loser 30 YO woman, far too overweight and surrounded by hotheaded dudebros tripping on testosterone. I persevered only because I had watched a doco years ago about Krav Maga and had promised myself I'd investigate when I moved to an area that had a class. Anyway, so I was expecting some sort of quasi UFC thing: not at all what happened. People there came from so many different backgrounds and fitness levels. Young women, older women, fit guys, unfit guys... you get the point, all different and all there just to learn. The class is essentially at whatever difficultly level you require, if you're a beginner there's a grade for that and other students to work with, I progress when I am ready. Some people pick it up quickly and some don't and that's fine. You stay at your level until you are confident to move on. It also isn't really a 'martial art' as much as it is a system of self protection. You won't see people competing for belts (or at all, though there is a grading system) because in Krav Maga the best fight is the one you see coming and can avoid altogether (or with a swift knee to the groin). The warm up is typical of any fitness class, jogging in a circle, a few push ups (on your knees if you need to), sit ups, stretches. Then usually it's about learning new techniques then consolidating them with a partner and protective pads. The part that I found most challenging when I began (and still struggle with) is the confrontational nature of it. I'm not sure why (because it seems obvious in hindsight) but I was shocked in my first class to realise actual people would be attacking me (in a controlled and force-appropriate way, no one was trying to beat me or anything). I think the first thing we drilled what getting out of a front-on chokehold so there I was with a stranger trying to choke me. I learned very quickly that I freeze and panic in aggressive situations, but now that months have passed and I'm slowly teaching myself to have more reactive and useful responses to stress (not just in terms of physical violence, but in very useful situations like unexpected traffic panics, dropping things etc). So the thing that I hated about the class at first is actually the cause for one of the things I love about the class: I haven't just gotten fitter, I've become more situationally aware and better at handling pressure. As for backs and knees, my class is about working with what you've got, so if you're older or have injuries you learn to compensate and work with what you can do. Plus I'm sure you'd be able to opt out of any drills that cause pain. I'm sure all classes and teachers vary a bit. My class is affiliated with Krav Maga Global, and I know they are everywhere but it can't hurt to get in touch with the people near you and see if you can get in on an info session or beginners class. In my experience if you actually like what you're doing it won't feel so much like having to work out. For me, Krav Maga gives me those few nights a week that I can look forward to and work on myself, that fact that there's an element of fitness is just a bonus. I am so vey keen to get back to class and I'm aiming for the first week of June. @@flamingfeather_fly The balloon is a Fluid filled orb placed in the stomach to inhibit appetite and limit space. I have an Orbera but if you'd like to know more I'd suggest looking at Google.

Being exhausted can be a sign of low blood sugar. I was diabetic prior to surgery. If I had not come off all my diabetic meds after surgery, these meds could have forced my blood sugar to go towards the low side. For the first month after surgery, your body is in a major heal mode. That might cause the exhaustion. Some meds may cause these symptoms. There is also a condition called reactive hypoglycemia that some people who underwent WLS encounter. But at 2 weeks, I think this is too soon for that condition.