FYI stuff for further postops

With several of you further out in your WLS walk I thought that the following information might prove to be helpful.  By NO means is it end all / know all... just something that might prove to be useful.  I will put some information up regarding sugar issues & bowel obstruction.

Reactive sugar disorder otherwise known as REACTIVE HYPOGLYCEMIA (this is taken from National Diabetes Clearinghouse)

 

Reactive Hypoglycemia

Diagnosis
To diagnose reactive hypoglycemia, the doctor may

• ask about signs and symptoms
• test blood glucose while the patient is having symptoms by taking a blood sample from the arm and sending it to a laboratory for analysis^*
• check to see whether the symptoms ease after the patient’s blood glucose returns to 70 mg/dL or above after eating or drinking

A blood glucose level below 70 mg/dL at the time of symptoms and relief after eating will confirm the diagnosis. The oral glucose tolerance test is no longer used to diagnose reactive hypoglycemia because experts now know the test can actually trigger hypoglycemic symptoms.

Causes and Treatment
The causes of most cases of reactive hypoglycemia are still open to debate. Some researchers suggest that certain people may be more sensitive to the body’s normal release of the hormone epinephrine, which causes many of the symptoms of hypoglycemia. Others believe deficiencies in glucagon secretion might lead to reactive hypoglycemia.

A few causes of reactive hypoglycemia are certain, but they are uncommon. Gastric—or stomach—surgery can cause reactive hypoglycemia because of the rapid passage of food into the small intestine. Rare enzyme deficiencies diagnosed early in life, such as hereditary fructose intolerance, also may cause reactive hypoglycemia.

To relieve reactive hypoglycemia, some health professionals recommend

• eating small meals and snacks about every 3 hours
• being physically active
• eating a variety of foods, including meat, poultry, fish, or nonmeat sources of protein; starchy foods such as whole-grain bread, rice, and potatoes; fruits; vegetables; and dairy products
• eating foods high in fiber
• avoiding or limiting foods high in sugar, especially on an empty stomach

The doctor can refer patients to a registered dietitian for personalized meal planning advice. Although some health professionals recommend a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates, studies have not proven the effectiveness of this kind of diet to treat reactive hypoglycemia.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE that sometimes one can find themselves dealing with this situation even if they never had blood sugar issues beforehand (pre WLS)..  it is very important to follow up on if you suddenly find yourself suffering from the symptoms that could indicate this disorder. 

BOWEL OBSTRUCTION otherwise known as being "kinky"

The following is a link within our "own" OH website that gives wonderful information on this malady. 

http://www.obesityhelp.com/ohblog/mode,content/cmsID,11726/

PLEASE NOTE that there are several different reasons that we can become PARTIALLY OBSTRUCTED or COMPLETELY OBSTRUCTED .  Also note that many of the partial obstructions can resolve themselves and sometimes nothing is ever found with regular testing often done in the ER's.  Many times the patient is made to feel like they rushed in for nothing or worse yet, they are told they are just constipated or something of the sort.  When in fact, the obstruction resolved, only to pop up again with a vengance later on (as happened to me 3 TIMES!).... 

In my case the obstruction was due to massive weight loss and a shifting of the internal organs that allowed part of the bowel to "slip thru" in the Peterson's space and become strangled.  Therefore there was nothing that I "did" wrong to cause it.  I just lost weight and it happened.  No foods caused it, nor exercise..  it just happened.

Everyone be careful and I hope that some of this information might prove useful.........

Thanks for sharing this!

I've had the bowel obstruction myself. My surgeon called it an internal hernia, or strangulated bowel, from it slipping into a space due to my weight loss. So exactly as you described it. Seriously bad pain. I had surgery to correct it and not another problem since.

I'll wager it was probably in the Petersen's space which causes the strangulation or internal hernia....   it is from massive weight loss and the shifting that is caused...  sometimes the space is not "tacked" down well enough during WLS and after the massive weight loss...bada bing, bada boom AND y''''''''''''''''''''''''ouch!...

That was the case for me as well.....


Glad that you are feeling better...   they aren't fun are they? 

Yes, that's exactly what it was; my doc just didn't call it 'Petersen's space', just said the bowel would slip in and out of a loop created from the weight loss. Same thing. :)

 Thanks for the info, I see DR H tomorrow so maybe we can find if this is what I had happen.

Awesome post!  Thanks so much! ;) Lou

Great post girl.....thank you for that....
You helped me figure out what was going on a few months back....and sure enough thats what was going on...since then...I now eat at least 6 meals and keep something with me at all time just incase....thanks again...
hugs