Has anyone else experienced hypoglycemia after surgery? If so how severe and how did you correct it?

https://www.healio.com/endocrinology/diabetes/news/print/endocrine-today/{1dc23215-49dc-4ad7-90da-346ba16663d6}/post-gastric-bypass-hypoglycemia-a-serious-complication-of-bariatric-surgery

Bypass people have more hospitalizations for hypoglycemia and tend to have more severe symptoms, but sleeve folks can get it, too. Research on this complication is ongoing.

Of 175 eligible patients, 120 were randomized 1:1 to RYGB or SG; 117 (93%) completed the 12-month follow-up. Reactive hypoglycemia was detected in 14% and 29% of SG and RYGB patients (P = 0.079), respectively, with the effect of treatment in multivariate analysis significant at P = 0.018. Daily hypoglycemic episodes during continuous glucose monitoring did not differ between groups (P = 0.75). Four of 59 RYGB subjects (6.8%) had 1 to 3 hospitalizations for symptomatic hypoglycemia vs 0 in SG. The static β-cell glucose sensitivity index increased after both treatments (P < 0.001), but the dynamic β-cell glucose sensitivity index increased significantly in SG (P = 0.008) and decreased in RYGB (P = 0.004 for time × treatment interaction). Whole-body insulin sensitivity increased about 10-fold in both groups.

Severe enough symptoms to cause issues with daily function (lightheadedness, passing out, seizures, auto accidents caused by this) are pretty rare.....but this is a potential problem that people need to be aware of.

Treatment is typically paying close attention to diet, recognizing symptoms early and eating to control them. Severe forms can require medication and even partial pancreatectomy might be needed.

If you happen to draw this particular card, it can be a serious problem.

Luckily, though, this is pretty rare.

It should also be noted that this syndrome often occurs years after weight loss surgery.

Edited June 14, 20188 yr by Creekimp13

6 hours ago, pdallariva said:

Has anyone else experienced hypoglycemia after surgery? If so how severe and how did you correct it?

I had it a few days after surgery. I had no idea what was going on except for the fact that I was super dizzy, lethargic, and had a killer headache. It got to the point where I couldn't walk and all i wanted to do was lay my head down and sleep. Thank goodness I checked my blood sugar levels and it was below 4.0 so I ate 4 Dex4 (glucose pills) and I was good afterwards. I now carry them with me everywhere I go. Since then, I have experienced closed to low sugars (reading at 4.1- 4.5) but haven't had it go below again.

The Dex4 works for me but I know other people drink juice or eat lifesavers....I just don't want the temptation of drinking sugary drinks which l LOVED before WLS.

Good Luck!

Hey folks, I will be following here. I have had reactive hypoglycemia in my past, pancreatitis in 2015 and am the adult child of 2 diabetics, not diabetic yet another reason why I have an upcoming RnY b.s. instead letting my faulty sugar heredity catch up with me So this subject resonates with. me so hard even you can feel the vibration.

Thank you for all of the support. I have blacked out several times and when in the hospital had to get D-5 aka D-50 pushed. My test strips were recalled and now my insurance will not cover Hypoglycemia so I am not testing and I’m scared.

14 minutes ago, pdallariva said:

My test strips were recalled and now my insurance will not cover Hypoglycemia so I am not testing and I’m scared.

Sometimes you can find inexpensive blood glucose monitors and strips on Ebay. They might be left over from someone's deceased loved one, or sent on a continual basis to a patient in the mail and are more than that person can use...so they get sold.

I had a diabetic dog for ten years, and bought all of her monitoring supplies this way. Out of curiosity, I tested myself with them before going in for bloodwork...they were quite accurate. Check ebay for the brand you prefer and look at some alternate brands, too.

You need to get your insurance straightened out and get the care and monitoring you deserve....but this might be an affordable interim measure.

On 2018-06-14 at 3:22 AM, pdallariva said:

Has anyone else experienced hypoglycemia after surgery? If so how severe and how did you correct it?

So the same day that I responded to this post, I had another episode! I just didn’t realize that my symptoms were because of low blood sugars.

When I got home from my son’s soccer game, it was pretty late and I had not eaten yet. I found it hard to read my texts on my phone and it was tough to focus. It was like staring at a flashlight and then looking away and trying to read a book after. It lasted for 30 min before I thought to check my levels and low and behold...low sugar reading. I popped four Dex4 pills and 15 min later, I was back to normal. It was super scary because I had no idea what was wrong with me. I almost went to the hospital because I was so freaked out.

Wow I’m happy you are feeling better.