Reactive Hypoglycemia After RNY

[mrsto 2,925]

I'm considering a Lapband/plication to RNY revision and combing through the various posts online for info. I'm reading a lot about reactive hypoglycemia, and how many start having it anywhere from 6 months to several years post-op. I'm concerned because I already deal with RA, but I'm able to control it with diet. It sounds like it can become a runaway train and very tricky to control after this surgery. I think this scares me more than anything else because I've dealt with it for years; long before band/plication surgery. I'm interested to hear from anyone dealing with blood sugar issues since their bypass.

[catwoman7 10,846]

I don't have it, but from all I've read, it can be managed through proper eating.

[catdaddy 232]

I have it and yes you just have to watch what you eat.

[mrsto 2,925]

I have it and yes you just have to watch what you eat.

Catdaddy, do you ever have bouts of it for no apparent reason?

[Redmaxx 740]

How can you tell if you have it?

[mrsto 2,925]

How can you tell if you have it?

It comes on anywhere from 2-4 hours after eating higher carb meals or Snacks. If I eat candy or other simple sugary sweets, I'm screwed......it's really bad. For me, it will start with a tremor and then a rapid drop in blood sugar; shaking, brain dead (literally) and sweating. Sometimes it will happen if I eat more crackers beyond what goes with a piece of string cheese. I started keeping chewable glucose tablets for when I feel the tremor, which shortens the episode. But that is only a bandaid until I can eat some Protein, fat and small amount of good carb. If I stay away from bad carbs and make sure I have balanced Snacks, I'm okay. But when I read about people who acquired this issue only after a bypass, I'm concerned that it will become worse and my life will become all about battling my blood sugar. I don't what to jump from the pot into the fire. I'm not as miserable with my body as I was before lapband surgery. But I also know how easy it is for my weight to climb all the way back up. Scary sh-t!

[Redmaxx 740]

YIKES! I am so sorry that you have that.

[Berry78 4,259]

It really sounds like dumping... in that negative reinforcement will help keep your diet in line.

Sent from my SM-N920R4 using the BariatricPal App

[Poku 14]

I have this and I'm not sleeved yet. It started a couple years ago and my BS will bottom out a few hours after sugary Snacks or meals. The lowest I recorded so far was 34 and I was incredibly incoherent.

I was under the impression that it was a prediabetic issue, like you make too much insulin for the sugar and it becomes overkill. But I also have issues very similar to dumping syndrome as well. I really hope these things won't become magnified with surgery, that's terrifying.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[mrsto 2,925]

I have this and I'm not sleeved yet. It started a couple years ago and my BS will bottom out a few hours after sugary Snacks or meals. The lowest I recorded so far was 34 and I was incredibly incoherent.

I was under the impression that it was a prediabetic issue, like you make too much insulin for the sugar and it becomes overkill. But I also have issues very similar to dumping syndrome as well. I really hope these things won't become magnified with surgery, that's terrifying.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've had this for many years, but it's gotten worse with age. But it is manageable and I don't have extreme issues if I eat properly. Before LB surgery I was pre-diabetic; my sugar was a bit out of the normal range. After I dropped weight the numbers normalized. Though I still have RA, my tested sugar and A1C is totally normal. Here is some info I found online. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/expert-answers/reactive-hypoglycemia/faq-20057778

[mrsto 2,925]

It really sounds like dumping... in that negative reinforcement will help keep your diet in line.

Sent from my SM-N920R4 using the BariatricPal App

I'm good with that, as long as it doesn't take on a life of its own; happen whether or not I eat high carb/sweet foods.

[Berry78 4,259]

Hypoglycemia IS scary and dangerous. I live with a diabetic that experiences it. I don't know if the bypass might make it worse, but seems like the mandatory protein/frequent meals might make it better!

Sent from my SM-N920R4 using the BariatricPal App

[Salee 24]

I have it but as long as I don't eat anything that contains sugar I'm fine. I also have to have a higher amount of Protein than carbs whenever I have carbs. I stupidly ate over a cup of regular banana pudding last weekend. No reaction right away. Then over 1/2 hour later I started getting real warm, a sign my sugars spiking. Then 45 mins. later I started sweating profusely & got extremely weak BC my sugar level was dropping. I asked my fiancée to get me a glass of milk which usually brings me out of it. I plummeted so fast I only had the strength to take 1 swallow of milk. My sugar level dropped to 43 faster than it ever did, needing sucrose asap, which u can purchase by the diabetic meters everywhere. Once I got my strength back, I immediately drank a 30g Protein Drink & was fine again. Except I had to take a shower & change my wringing wet sweaty clothes. Just avoid eating sugar laden anything & stick to low carbs & high Protein Snacks & meals so this will never happen. I knew better so it was my own fault.

Sent from my VK700 using the BariatricPal App

[Salee 24]

I forgot to mention in my previous post that I had my RNY in 1997 & my lapband revision in 2010. I do not regret getting my lapband whatsoever! I wish I got it sooner! Good luck & best wishes on your journey of improving yourself. Never give up trying!

Sent from my VK700 using the BariatricPal App

[mrsto 2,925]

I have it but as long as I don't eat anything that contains sugar I'm fine. I also have to have a higher amount of Protein than carbs whenever I have carbs. I stupidly ate over a cup of regular banana pudding last weekend. No reaction right away. Then over 1/2 hour later I started getting real warm, a sign my sugars spiking. Then 45 mins. later I started sweating profusely & got extremely weak BC my sugar level was dropping. I asked my fiancée to get me a glass of milk which usually brings me out of it. I plummeted so fast I only had the strength to take 1 swallow of milk. My sugar level dropped to 43 faster than it ever did, needing sucrose asap, which u can purchase by the diabetic meters everywhere. Once I got my strength back, I immediately drank a 30g Protein Drink & was fine again. Except I had to take a shower & change my wringing wet sweaty clothes. Just avoid eating sugar laden anything & stick to low carbs & high Protein Snacks & meals so this will never happen. I knew better so it was my own fault.

Sent from my VK700 using the BariatricPal App

Do you have any issues when eating fruit alone.....without nuts or protein? For me, it's not as bad as candy, but it's not great. Also, I would love to eat oatmeal for Breakfast, but it's a recipe for disaster within 2 hours. And I don't put sugar in it. Very frustrating.