Search the Community

Here are a few potential causes. 1. If you were diabetic prior to surgery and on meds, you may have to reduce your meds at this point. 2. You may be experiencing reactive hypoglycemia. Here are a few links that might help. https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass/ http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/060415p48tip.shtml https://www.healthline.com/health/hypoglycemia-without-diabetes 3. Dehydration can also cause dizziness and lightheadedness. https://www.emedicinehealth.com/dehydration_in_adults/page3_em.htm

I originally wanted a sleeve; however, the surgeon strongly recommended a mini gastric bypass owing to my history of insulin resistance (PCOS, gestational and prediabetes). I heeded his advice; however, am now dealing with significant reactive hypoglycemia. This results from carbohydrates being rapidly absorbed causing immediate high blood sugars and then rapid reactive lows. These lows can be unpleasant and sometimes scary. I'm now on a drug that slows the absorption of carbs, but I have to take it every time I eat and there are some unpleasant side effects. So while I'm generally happy with the results of my surgery (I'm within 5 pounds of my goal), in my situation I do wish I'd gone with the sleeve.

Has anyone else developed this after surgery? I will be at three years in September and my symptoms are worsening. I wear a monitor but find that I am crashing more and more. Yesterday my glucose dropped to 301 They are sending me to Barnes Jewish Hospital in St Lewis to evaluate my pancreas and are saying I might have to have part of it removed.

I'm sorry to hear that you are not where you hoped to be. I think you have made a very valid point. A lot of us gained weight or were always heavy due to addiction/self medicating. The surgery will not make the addiction go away. All it is is a tool to help you from being hungry. I too have super crappy feet now. Although I still carry weight in my rib cage, my feet and ass are both void of any sort of cushioning. My husband has leather seats in his car. You can tell where I sit as I have made two permanent dents in the seat from the ass bones poking thru. I will sadly say that I have learn many things about myself during this journey. First a high point. I have been very successful with my surgery. I am so thankful that ins covers it. But, The surgery will not make you unaddicted. It will not improve your marriage, your body image, your work, relationships with others or anything. All it will do is help you to not be hungry so you eat less. If you allow head hungry to rule then you will sadly pay the price. I too was having some emotional issues this past year. Both my kids went away to college and I was just having some real anger issues. I tried Wellbutrin with no luck. Finally I just decided to stop fighting it and take the Vit B12. It has made a decent change. Now mind you I rock my blood work all the time. I have no low levels of anything. But I am reactive Hypoglycemic. I guess if you are still suffering with addiction issues, spend some time being introspective. Find out what is the thing your are self medicating. Without identifying the core issue you cannot escape the pattern. I have really had to do some serious soul searching these past few years. Doing so has allowed me to be a more loving person to the people in my life who deserve my best. I have a long way to go, but at least I am more honest with myself. Good luck. If you need someone to IM, feel free.

I haven't had any flare ups with the PKD, so I haven't had to take steroids. I've been pretty lucky so far, but as I age, things can change. It's a weird disease; no cure, but many people don't even know they have it and end up dying from something else. Even still, the last CT scan showed that my kidneys are enlarged with all the cysts, but there isn't really anything to do, unless the labs start to show impairment of function or they see protein in my urine. For now, it's just a bit of flank pain.....which comes and goes. I just have to be careful and clear all prescription drugs through my nephrologist. I take Meloxicam for joint pain, which he says is a huge no no. I'll have to figure that one out. Though I don't take it every day, it's been a wonder drug for me; the difference between painful/miserable walks, to being able to walk my dog for close to an hour without wanting to lay down in the middle of the street and cry. I've never heard of the IF diet, but I just looked it up online. It's very interesting. My husband stopped eating dinner a couple of months ago, and dropped a good amount of weight. He wasn't following that plan, but just decided to stop eating at around 4pm. It's worked well for him. I do have thyroid issues and have been taking meds for many years. I'm hypo-thyroid and have Hashimotos disease. My numbers are good on the dose of Synthroid I'm on, so I've got that part covered. I'm going to work with the nutritionist at my surgeon's office. I love her and she can help me get on an eating plan that works at this stage. This might be TMI, but I had a total hysterectomy a year before my band surgery, and it's 5 times harder to lose the same pound than it was before menopause and losing my ovaries. I remember "older" people always telling me to lose the weight while I'm young; it's much harder when you're older. I was young and cocky and didn't believe them. HA! And here I am.......struggling along Thanks for your input, FluffyChix - I appreciate it When did you have your surgery? I see you live in Texas. I'm in California, and we've been talking about possibly relocating to someplace around Austin (Hill Country), when we retire in a couple of years.

Hmm...I don't remember where it was. I am on a prescription meds for reflux now. Things have been ok with that. What makes you read up so much on ulcers? I am a nurse, can't help it. haha! I research everything especially if it is something that I can prevent. I am very proactive instead of reactive. I have been on Zantac twice daily and also Prilosec twice daily for quite a long time. I am hoping with being on those medications, I won't develop any after bypass.

i'm 26. My bmi is 36 (going by my home scales anyway, which are always a little bit lower than the hospital scales) and i dont care to gain weight to make sure it's any higher :S I don't have any co morbidities *sp* that i know of.. unless depression and hypoglycemia count and i've never been actually tested for the latter, a dr otehr than my pcp told me he thought i was hypo and i should eat that sort of diet.. I can't really think of anything else that might be considered a co-morb...... It seems like my ins covers the surgery IF i'm approved, but i don't see that happening, ya think? the last line on the answer on this link has me wondering if i should just give up... or go ahead and gain the weight and be a hermit until then.. darnit, the goal is to get INTO pants, not get big enough that i can't fit into any of mine.. Answers.com - Will blue cross and blue shield pay for weight loss surgery with a thyroid problem

Hello!! I've had a few episodes of my blood sugar going as low as 45...I am guessing it is reactive hypoglycemia due to symptoms that happen alongside the low number. My questions: 1.anyone else dealing with this? I am almost 18mos out from bypass. 2. What do you eat when you are super low that brings sugars up but not too high, perpetuating the cycle? 3. Once there was a CLEAR reason: I sort of let myself get guilted into eating a slice of birthday cake; but the other times I really don't know what caused the low blood sugars. I am trying to get into a nutritionist but with my work schedule I am having difficulty. Any thoughts or inputs would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!! Sent from my LG-H900 using the BariatricPal App

It might be reactive hypoglycemia. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/expert-answers/reactive-hypoglycemia/faq-20057778

Thanks again. That's reassuring My surgeon tells me that the greatest benefit for me having this surgery is that I have a really big chance of not having to take insulin anymore. For me this is huge!! No more having to get up in the middle of the night or leave in the middle of meetings to bring my sugar up to normal levels. No more having to eat when you are not hungry just so I don't have a hypo. I'm told that not taking insulin will take 10 - 15kgs off so that in itself will certainly help in the weight loss journey. AAARRRGGGHHH - I think I just have to stop thinking of the negatives and focus on the positives

I am a prebander. But with my previous surgery (hyst) I didnt have a problem with them. I am hypo. My thy levels have been under control for many years. Just check with your Dr. to be sure. Good luck on your journey. HTH, Rosanna

Do you know what all an endocrinologist tests for? It’s not just hypo and hyperthyroidism, right?? I am in maintenance and struggling big time. I feel like the only way to maintain my weight is to be on a diet (and hungry) for the rest of my life cause I add in a few calories and I gain. I feel like there is something going on with my hormones that my primary doc is missing. I see him today and plan to ask a lot of questions. Just wondering what conditions cause weight gain that I should be questioning him about.

they are general health readings. if things go as planned, this is virtually bloodless surgery but it can be lenght surgery and put you at rsk for clots in the leg etc from lying in one spot. they need to know that sodium, potassium and other electrolytes are in a good range as all this can affect the amount of fluids and drugs they use in OT an post op. they may not do as many tests for smaller ops but this is classed as major surgery and we are slightly higher risk patients simply because we are bigger. the chest xray is saftey too. you will be ntubated ( tube into lungs to breath for you while you are under) and they simply want to make sure you lungs are in good nick before OT, no chest infections etc that they did no know about- not worth doing that too soon before surgery date though as it is like a snap shot only. the tests you have donein the assessment period are to make sure there are no major reasons why you are not a good candidate for this type of surgery. the next round of tests are just so they have enough information to hopefully avoid any problems but also so they have the information in the case that something did crop up. its all about being prepared rather than being reactive- a sign of good management. try not to get too anxious about t all. talk to you surgeon or his support staff if you have any specific worries too. they can get into a real routine about taking these tests and may not stop to realise how anxious you may be going through all this, particularly if you have not had much surgery in the past. good luck

Any of these procedures may predispose you to some kind of problem as a result of the anatomical changes that the surgery makes; this doesn't mean that you will have such a problem, just that the problem shows up in more often than in the general population. With the sleeve, the main predisposition is for GERD, as a result of cutting back the stomach volume more than its' acid producing potential - usually the body adapts and adjust things over time, but sometimes it doesn't. I have mild GERD which is well controlled with mild OTC medication; a few get it so severe that no med controls it and they have to get their sleeve revised to correct it, while others - most people - have no problem with it at all. GERD problems may also result from poor surgical technique, and was more common when the sleeve was new to the WLS world 8-10 years ago and most surgeons were still figuring it out (this is why I traveled to a practice that had already been doing them for some twenty years, so avoid this kind of "learning curve" problem. Most surgeons in the US today are experienced enough with it that this isn't much of a problem anymore, but it does seem to show up more in countries that are farther down that learning curve, such as Canada and Australia. People with the bypass will also sometimes develop GERD, though usually more in line with general population numbers, and seems to often be associated with chronic over eating, volumetrically if not calorically.. This may also be why some with the sleeve also develop GERD after some years. The bypass is predisposed to dumping and its close cousin, reactive hypoglycemia, as a result of rapid stomach emptying from the lack of the pyloric valve in the active GI system metering the stomach contents into the intestines. Some people with the sleeve, or even no stomach surgery at all, may dump as well, but it is rare. It is generally controlled with additional dietary restrictions. The bypass is also predisposed to marginal ulcers, typically around the anastomosis between the stomach pouch and intestine. This is a result of the section of intestine being used not being resistant to stomach acid like the duodenum is (the part of intestine immediately downstream of the stomach in the natural anatomy, which is bypassed along with the remnant stomach in the RNY), leaving a very sensitive suture line that is easily irritated. This is why NSAID pain relievers and other similar medications are a big NO-NO with the RNY, but are better tolerated with the sleeve based procedures; one still needs to be cautious with them, but they are more usable with a sleeve than a bypass. For the benefit of the OP, with no prior GERD history, but a history of orthopedic problems, I would be inclined to go with the sleeve, owing to its better tolerance for the various pain relievers that you are inclined to need at different times. Good luck - none of this is easy, as it is often a matter of trade offs, and sometimes it's less a matter of good vs. bad as it is bad vs. less bad, or bad vs. not-great.

There are still some unanswered questions regarding the causes of dumping but it is generally thought to be the result of food being “dumped” too quickly (because the pylorus valve is no longer present) from the pouch into the small intestine. Early dumping usually occurs roughly 30 minutes after eating food high in sugar or simple carbohydrates (aka “simple sugars”). They can create a rapid increase in blood sugars (hyperglycemia). The rule of thumb is that white foods (e.g. potatoes, rice, Pasta, white bread, etc.) are usually simple carbohydrates. The sugars rapidly pull Water out of the bloodstream and into the small intestine. A number of the symptoms of dumping including severe diarrhea can result. With “late” dumping, the body responds to the rapid rise in blood sugars with an increase in insulin to process the sugars. The increased insulin can cause the blood sugars to “crash” producing low blood sugar (reactive hypoglycemia) and dumping symptoms follow. Symptoms may or may not include vomiting. It is called late dumping because it usually occurs two to three hours after eating but can occur as much as twelve hours later. The delay is partially explained by the time needed for the brain to signal the pancreas to produce more insulin in response to the blood sugar spike. It then takes time for the pancreas to produce the insulin and for the insulin to make its way to the small intestine via the bloodstream. Because the intestine is shorter as a result of the surgery, the partially digested food passes more quickly through the intestine and blood sugar levels may have returned to normal before the insulin reaches the intestine - which is why the blood sugar crashes. Somewhere between 25% to 50% of patients never experience dumping. It is difficult to determine an accurate number because some folks experience dumping without realizing what it is and others think they are experiencing dumping when the cause of their symptoms may be something else. Of those that do experience dumping, about two-thirds experience early dumping with the remaining one-third experiencing late dumping. Although decidedly unpleasant, dumping is rarely serious. As you can see from the responses above, dumping may occur for years following surgery and possibly even for life. Or it may subside and even disappear over time as the body makes adjustments to its new physiology.

Wikipedia states here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reactive_hypoglycemia that reactive hypoglycemia "is a medical term describing recurrent episodes of symptomatic hypoglycemia occurring within 4 hours[1] after a high carbohydrate meal" It also states "There are different kinds of reactive hypoglycemia:[4] Alimentary Hypoglycemia (consequence of dumping syndrome; it occurs in about 15% of people who have had stomach surgery)" So this it's saying that re-active hypoglycemia is a form of dumping, which I've experienced pre-surgery. You sound like your suffering from low blood sugar as eating relieves your symptoms, although wikipedia terms this as hypoglycemia and it's back to citing dumping again. I'd say you have hypoglycemia in the common usage sense and not the way it's most commonly used in the WLS community. See here for further wiki details: "Hypoglycemia (common usage) is also a term in popular culture and alternative medicine for a common, often self-diagnosed, condition characterized by shakiness and altered mood and thinking, but without measured low glucose or risk of severe harm. It is treated by changing eating patterns." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoglycemia It's something I used to experience more in my skinny teenage years due to not eating enough. The main things are to try and low carb/high protein it and to eat little and often (you have to be vigilant to not get into grazing though). I hope you can get into a better routine with your new job soon.

I think I have a blood sugar meter somewhere, and I'll try to dig it up. I guess I've been avoiding directly measuring my blood sugar because FWIK non-insulemic hypoglycemia is usually caused by problems with your pancreas, which I do NOT want to contemplate... For now, since the problem seems to be related to/worsened by my caffeine intake, I'm weaning myself (further) off caffeine, and trying to stick with the "many small, protein-heavy meals," and I'm going to try to have a protein-heavy "snack" before bedtime (probably just a Protein shake). Oh, and cardio exercise, since that seems to help people with hypo-g.

Here is an web site on bariatrics and reactive hypoglycemia (reoccurring low blood sugar) http://pamtremble.blogspot.com/2010/10/reactive-hypoglycemia-after-bariatric.html. Since I have lost the majority of my weight. My blood sugars have been hitting mind numbing lows in the 50's. I found some resources that have information on diet to manage blood sugar levels. Examples of meals and snacks that work well for stabilizing blood sugar include: lowfat cheese and whole grain crackers slice of whole grain toast with peanut butter sandwich made with whole grain bread fat free plain Greek yogurt with a small piece of fruit or 1/2 cup berries large salad with abundant veggies and a source of protein (chicken, tuna, beans, egg) Keeping a food and lifestyle diary may help you determine which foods and other factors lead up to a blood sugar crash. First and foremost, you want to follow a diet designed to regulate your blood sugar level. This generally includes eating small, frequent meals spaced evenly throughout the day, such as every 2-3 hours. Meals should consist of moderate portions of high-fiber whole grains (such as 100% whole grain cereal or bread, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, quinoa, sweet potato), some lean protein (such as turkey, ham, fish, egg, beans, lowfat yogurt or cheese), and healthy fat (such as nuts, nut butters, olive oil, avocado). Sugars, especially in the form of beverages (juice, soda, etc.) and sweets (candy, jelly, table sugar, syrup, honey, cookies, cakes), should be avoided as much as possible, as they stimulate the pancreas the most because the sugar rushes into your bloodstream rapidly. Starchy carbohydrates digest down into sugar as well, so it is important to eat these in moderate amounts Starchy carbohydrates digest down into sugar as well, so it is important to eat these in moderate amounts (such as 1/2-1 cup), and choose whole grains over refined flours. White pasta, rices, breads, and cereals are more or less guaranteed to make you feel lousy after eating them as they are digested quickly and raise insulin levels. Fruits also need to be consumed in small amounts, as they contain the natural sugar, fructose, and are best consumed with a source of protein, such as cottage cheese or nuts. Even though fruits are an excellent source of fiber, the sugar content is enough to cause your pancreas to over-react if eaten on an empty stomach. The goal is essentially to not eat carbohydrate foods without including a source of protein or fat at the same time. Proteins and fat help stabilize blood sugars by making the carbohydrate digest more slowly, as proteins and fats take longer to digest and do not convert into significant amounts of sugar. Strenuous exercise burns sugar out of your muscles and bloodstream quickly, so you may be more prone to low blood sugar during extended periods of activity as well. Eating a snack contain a small amount of carbohydrate and protein (such as yogurt or trail mix) within 1 hour of strenuous activity may be enough to keep you going strong. Developing a habit of eating small, frequent meals and taking healthy foods with you for work, school, and when on-the-go, is your best weapon against suffering the symptoms of low blood sugar. If you find incorporating the above suggestions is still not improving your symptoms, you may need to sit down with a dietitian to develop a personalized meal plan to meet your schedule, food preferences, and overall lifestyle needs. Contact your dietician for more information. There is no point in living day-in and day-out with symptoms of hypoglycemia when there is a common sense way to tackle the issue and regain your quality of life!

Thanks for the great advice! I can already see I will have some people very close to me that just don't get it and most definitely don't understand nor support my decision. I got my surgery date on Friday - it's Nov 15! That's so crazy because its only 2 weeks away! I do have a few questions: The first, how long does it take to recover enough to carry on with life? I am a co-owner of a business and it will be very hard to be away for a long time. My surgery is on a Wednesday, and I'm hoping I can return the next week (just for short periods of time). My work isn't physical, so I don't need to worry about heavy lifting and all of that. The second question is about nutrients. I've read through my binder about 10 times and I've talked with our nutritionist and the surgeon, but I'm still concerned that I will have trouble getting enough calories and vitamins. Even at the weight I am right now (253), I have a pretty small capacity for food. I'm a grazer, not a binge-er. I'm one of those people that doesn't eat breakfast or lunch, then I have dinner and snack through the evening on high carb foods (or dairy, my fav). I take meds for a hypo-thyroid and my metabolism is totally shot. This is mainly how I've gained and stayed at this weight. My question - do any of you have a hard time getting in your calories and is it hard to be creative with your meal choices - making sure to get in your protein, etc.? And, did you lose hair? How much weight did you lose per month? I've heard many people say they lose most of their weight in the first 6 months? That's a lot of weight! Lastly, what about extra skin? Has that been an issue? Thanks so much for listening to my ramble! I'm so glad to have this platform and I'm especially excited about meeting and making new friends that 'get' this process Cathy

I am dealing with tjis too. My dr dx it as RHG its called Reactive Hypoglycemia. It comes on from losing weight and malabsorption. Whenever eating a carb i have to have protein to balance it out. An by carbs i mean even in fruits veggies an such. If you gpogle RHG it gives tons of info HTH

the hypoglycemic complication is not very common statistically which is good That being said, I hve to eat every 2.5-3 hours or I start getting hypo symptoms and fast. Now that I added a few easy carbs, I'm doing better. I'm having to check my sugars 5-6 times a day especially since I'm still on a dose of long acting insulin but I'm off three of my four diabetes meds and I was sleeved the 24th of October!! Sugars are awesome!

Yeah I see a lot of people say they only had to do a few days before and my doc nutritionists is scary the daylights out if us saying if we have anything at all then there will be stomach residue which makes me think then how do other people only do a few days. Doesn't make sense to me. I Have lost 5 pounds in 4 days. But I have reactive hypoglycemia and the nausea and headaches are killing me.

I had gastric bypass surgery around 6 years ago and I am very pleased with the results. It is sort of like the gold standard for bariatric surgery. They have most of the bugs worked out. Mini-gastric bypass is somewhat new so I can not really assess it. In general, many people try various kinds of diets prior to eventually getting gastric bypass surgery. Most of the time these are referred to as yo-yo diets. Because the individuals will lose some weight but then over time give up the diet and then gain the weight back and then some. So it is like a yo-yo. In your case it went to the extreme and you slid into anorexia. So the only advise here is that the psychological treatment component is very important for you for the surgery to work. (the package with the 12 phycologist sessions). Also if things go south sometimes after surgery then reactivate the physiological component. The three most important elements after gastric bypass surgery are to meet your daily protein, fluid and vitamin requirements. Food is secondary because your body is converting your stored fat into the energy that drives your body. Thus you lose weight.

I have reactive hypoglycemia since my surgery. If I eat anything too carb heavy, sugary, or fatty (mayo) It'll make me have all sorts of nasty symptoms such as headache, heart flutters, pounding heartbeat, weakness, blurred vision, dizziness, sleepiness, and sliming. I have to really watch that my eating is balanced, and then I feel great. I wonder if you had a touch of this? My doctor says it is because the smaller stomach empties faster into the intestines than the normal stomach, which means the body may produce too much insulin, swinging you low after you eat.

Has anyone had problems with a high reading on their c-reactive protein level and with lapband surgery it was reduced?