Has anyone developed hypoglycemia and exhaustion after getting the lapband?

[pattic 1]

I had my lapband surgery in 2008. In Feb. 2014 I started having major blood sugar crashes, extreme exhaustion, the shakes, tons of night sweats and other symptoms. I went to my lapband doctor and they didn't think it was from my lapband. I have had tons of tests, CT Scans, Ultra Sounds and blood work. I went to a Gastroenterologist and had a colonoscopy and EGD. My endocrinologist swears it is all due to my lapband. He also said that I had diabetes even with the blood sugar crashes. Now I have gone from being hypoglycemic to high blood sugars. I had most of the Fluid removed from the band and I have going to a nutritionist and we were able to stop the crashes. It has been over a year and I am still no closer to finding out the cause. I was wondering if this has happened to anyone else.

[parisshel 1,892]

If your eating habits hadn't changed, I don't see how the lapband could be involved. I can see having low blood sugar when intially banded, because you don't yet know how to "dose" your food/protein, but you are a longtime bandster and know how to eat. The other stuff: nightsweats and exhaustion? Sounds more hormonal than food-related.

I'm glad you have stablized, however.

[lisacaron 5,075]

@@pattic what you were right as @@parisshel said sounds very hormonal. I have had these issues on and off since hysterectomy. What we eat and when often has alot to do with our being. Working with a nutritionist is a great way to get that balance back in your life.

I for one was having horrible sugar cravings for the longest time, and would have sugar binges where I would go out and look for candy that was pure sugar and why? because I totally cut sugar out of my diet completely. Everything was processed or "fake" sugar. I wasn't eating any carbs, I wasn't having any fruit, and my body was calling for these things to help balance my electrolytes. I have had this issue before banding, where I was not consuming enough Water or eating enough potassium but I also have a digestive disorder that contributes to the metabolism of certain foods which having the band has actually helped to improve.

So now I take the time to eat some carbs and have some vegetables and fruits and even some dare I say it candy on occasion to make sure that I'm not having those crashes.

No matter what our surgery modality we need to eat in balance especially if we have other medical issues that affect our eating and/or digestion. Diabetes is a metabolic issue, your body is not as open to processing insulin, and that is not always because of obesity. One can be diabetic and be thin, just as one can be thin and still have high cholesterol or like me one can be obese and have low cholesterol.

Don't give up on your band, work with your nutritionist and find a way to eat in balance and work your band as well. There is no mal-absorptive component to the band, so it is not contributing to a lack of Vitamins or minerals. If you are vomiting that could be an issue and cause for concern.

Best of luck to you!!

[pattic 1]

It does sound harmonal which is why 2 other doctors sent me to the endo. I also found 2 other posts when searching the web for the same problems I had. Those two posts from other lapband forums that had the exact problems only they never posted a resolution. I had a hystercomy in 1980 and I am not 62. All of my doctors swear it is due to the lapband. I was doing great since 2008 till last year when all my problems started and I hadn't changed anything. The endo did have me gain weight. I went from 132 to 150 and he said that was better for my health. I was getting plenty of Protein and doing what I was supposed to. They have checked all my harmones including my thryoid. They adjusted my thryoid medication a little but it hasn't helped my symptoms.

Thank you for your comments.