blood sugar dropped!!

If you haven't had surgery yet, please read my blog as to why I am choosing the one I am. It may help you in your search. The RNY is the only one with a bad case of Reactive Hypo developing afterward.

Liz

Hi Merideth, Yep, me too!  I discovered it less than a week post op.  It happened twice.  I woke up that way.  I hadn't known it was a complication of the surgery but recognized it right away and adjusted how I ate right away.  It helps to be medical.  I now start and end my day with Greek yogurt with home made unsweetened fruit puree mixed in.  My in-laws came to stay with me after my surgery and brought lots of fruit from their property.  They were preparig it so I could make sugar free jam or jelly at a later day, but have found that it works well for me.  Like Lynn said, the protein with complex carbs works like a charm. 

Welcome to the club.

I have it too and am trying to learn to keep it under control.  I can't see the specialist until 8/31.  My surgeon suspects I have nesidioblastosis -- insulin-secreting tumors of the pancreas that develop (sometimes) after RNY gastric bypass (NOW they tell me!).  I've had readings as low as 27.  They are considering putting me in the hospital for a 72 hour fast.  Three days with no food?  Are you kidding me?  I'm hoping to just find a natural way to control this.  No, I don't want to slip into a coma, but I'm not up for having half my pancreas removed either.

Linda

Welcome to the club.  My diagnosis was hyperinsulinemia with nesidioblastosis.  Also known as reactive hypoglycemia. I may have had several episodes a year or so post op, but didn't realize what it was.  It came on full force about 5 years post op.   I was forced to take a Glucose Tolerance Test, and it was pure torture.

Before I lost my health insurance, my endocrinologist did all that she could to research and help me.  The best analogy she gave me was: Make each meal a gift that it takes your body a long time to unwrap. The longer it takes your body to process and digest, the better for your glucose level.   She said to read the South Beach Diet book.  That was very helpful.

I had to cut out all white carbs.  All tropical fruits and high glycemic fruits (banana, pineapple, watermelon, etc.), no enriched white or wheat flour, no potatoes, white rice.  No juice.  I was advised to eat healthy fat with each meal.

I eat at least every two hours.  I am never without nuts (in case of emergency).  My blood sugar has gone down into the low 20's, and that was terrifying.  I drink coconu****er to get my potassium. I eat whole grains, brown rice, avocados, artichokes, greek yogurt, apples, berries, and occasional grapes with a bit of cantaloupe.  I eat a lot of grilled salmon, grilled chicken, salads (with olive oil vinaigrette).  I drink a Muscle Milk (yes I did read the report saying it contains heavy metals) each day.  I am trying to heal a broken ankle, and drinking it for the protein. I snack on raw almonds or trail mix.  

I find that this will keep me fairly stabilized.  If for some reason, my blood sugar drops anyway, it will take me a week or so to stabilize myself again.   If I eat something too highly processed, my pancreas thinks it's getting ready for a Costco size sheet cake, and produces enough insulin for that task.  When no sheet cake arrives, it has nowhere for all of the insulin to go.

It is definitely exhausting, frustrating and something that you will most likely have to educate your Doctor about.

Good luck!

Karen

The people I've heard from over the years have done pretty well by following a low carb diet (South Beach'ish) and carrying cheese and PB crackers.

Good luck,

Edie

I've got a purse full of food.  Glucose tablets, hard candy, trail mix, etc.  I also keep a lot of milk and cheese in the frige at work.  I'm fine until I eat -- or if I wait too long to eat.  It's a real Catch 22.  Had eggs, cheese and mushrooms for breakfast today (no real carbs there).  Three hours later, I'm shaking and my blood sugar is 68.  I just keep eating!  Hope I don't gain all my weight back.

I've been hypoglycemic since my early 20's. I usually have several small meals, and always carry something in my purse or backpack just in case. The episodes can be scary, so I sympathize! Talk to your Dr. and read as much as you can on reactive hypoglycemia. Being prepared for another episode is better than thinking you'll never have one again.

Im one week out of surgery and had low blood sugar upon waiking up one morning. My nutritionst told me to have a small meal , snack  before bed time of protain and complex carb.Cottage cheese and apple sauce works great.

Yes, that has happened to me twice.  It is scary, and I went to bed until it was over.  I also blame sugar for causing it.  I went to a dinner at Thanksgiving, had some sweet potatoes with a topping, 2-3 hours later I got the "cold sweats" and shakey.  The next event was eating ice cream, same thing happened. 
I've lost 100# this year-WOHOO!  Jan