Question:
Type 1 Diabetis and RNY

I am a type 1 diabetic, and I'm having a RNY on 4/28. I was wondering what others have done when blood sugars drop. How do you get sugars in quickly without dumping? I'd love some alternatives to milk.    — purplek78 (posted on April 20, 2008)

April 19, 2008
One of the BEST ways to regulate sugars is with POTATOES. I don't know much about the RNY but I am a DIABETIC. I just had the VSG 6 weeks ago. You can also try to regulate using Bananas. These may not trigger the dumping like the SUGAR will but the sugar in the banana and the STARCH in the Potato are readily absorbed by the body and and in the case of the potato starch it is quickly CONVERTED into sugar. Another thing is that you need to keep a CLOSE EYE on your sugars during this time. MY sugars dropped during a 3 week period after my surgery. PRIOR to my surgery I was taking 70 to 80 units of 70/30 insulin with a booster shot occasionally of REGULAR insulin and I was also taking FOUR pills of Glucovance 5/500 daily. My blood sugars were FLIRTING with the 200 mark the whole time. SOMETIMES they were over and most of the times they were under but they were USUALLY near 200. AFTER the surgery my sugars GRADUALLY decreased until I was down to just ONE PILL OF GLUCOVANCE A DAY at THREE WEEKS from the surgery! On EASTER DAY I was out with my family at my church at a Picnic barbecue after our church services. When we came HOME I began to get the SHAKES and the SWEATS! PRIOR to developing DIABETES I was HYPOGLYCEMIC! I KNEW what those things MEANT! I quickly checked my sugar level and SURE ENOUGH, my blood sugar was FIFTY THREE! I had JUST EATEN! I was Down to ONE PILL of glucovance! I QUIT TAKING my diabetes meds and have kept an eye on my sugars SINCE. As LONG as I follow the instructions given to me by my nutritionist and keep my carbs within the guidelines, I am FINE! My Blood sugars are a LITTLE higher than normal after a meal. They range from 114 to 140. The ONLY TIME I get in trouble is when I DON'T follow the directions! Even THEN, It isn't TERRIBLE. My sugars will get up to about 180 or 190. I do NOT NEED to take the insulin. If I take a WALK the sugar levels go back down to normal. Alternatives to MILK? There are several different companies that make SOY-MILK. SILK is one of the most popular brands. The Eighth Continent is another. Several STORES now carry their OWN brand of Soy-milk RiceDream makes a version of soy-milk called SoyDream if I remember correctly. It has been a while since I have SEEN it because MY area of the country doesn't CARRY it. WestSOY also makes Soy-milk. Another alternative is RICE milk. Soy-milk is a bit HEAVY like WHOLE MILK. RICE MILK is a bit LIGHTER and has a texture that is more like SKIM milk I used to prefer RICE milk to the SOY until I got MARRIED. My WIFE preferred the SOY. Guess what we drank when we moved in together after marriage? There are a number of companies that make RICE milk TOO but RICE DREAM seems to be the hands down favorite. There are also NUT milks that you can buy. ALMOND milk is one of the most POPULAR nut milks There are also CASHEW nut milks that I have seen. You can MAKE THESE yourself quite easily at HOME with a BLENDER if you have the right recipe. You can PROBABLY find one on the web that you may like. Most of the nut milks can be found at your local health food store. The SOY and RICE milks you can PROBABLY find at your local GROCER'S or at WALMART. The SOY MILK can be found in the refrigerated section next to the dairy OR in the area where you will find the BOXED MILK or the health food section. The RICE milk is most likely to be found in the boxed milk or the health food section. I hope this helps, Hugh
   — hubarlow

April 20, 2008
I was a Type II Diabetic which completely resolved itself with my weight loss prior to surgery so I can't tell you hint/suggestions from personal experience. However, being a nurse, I would always encourage you to get these answers from your endocrinologist, surgeon and/or nutritionist. Good luck, Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

April 20, 2008
I was type twobut alwas have had problems with low blood sugar. My surgeon does not like me to use carbs, like rice or patatoes, but pushes me toward milk products. I use orange juice if I go too low, like 30 or so, but other than that I just check it a lot more often then I use to. By the way my A1C went from the usually 6.3 that I fought to keep with 9 pills a day to no pills in 4 months and an A1C of 5.6.
   — William (Bill) wmil

April 20, 2008
I was diabetic prior to RNY surgery 9/26/06. I worked very closely with my endocrinologist and nutritionist post op. I was able to discontinue insulin in 5/07 and have maintained fasting blood sugar of 90 to date. After a loss of 130 lbs. I no longer have any evidence of diabetes (A1C is 5.9), my vision is now 20/20, and there is no evidence of heart disease. I am 66. I use protein shakes (Costco or Shackley), and some carbs if feel that my blood sugar is too low. Orange juice is also a good choice. Good luck with your surgery. Your life is going to change dramatically for the better. You should use your doctors and your nutritionist as your team. My endocrinologist was proactive prior to surgery, during my 48 hours in the hospital, and continues to monitor me closely. I used a nutritionist to help me with specific problems (dry skin) and today I am leading a very active life. Neil
   — PiperNeil

April 20, 2008
Hello, I had type 2 diabetes. my gastric bypass was on 10/2/07 and I left the hospital with no medicatin and I have not had and blood sugar drops or anything. My ha1c was 7.1 and last time checked was 5.0. This surgery is saving my life. I wish you the best on your life changing decision. Lynn
   — Lynnmon

April 20, 2008
I have had the same problem with low sugar. I have learned that since you aren't able to have direct sugar. I would eat a type of food earlier in the morning that turns to sugar in the body. I have made it to the hospital several times for this problem. I now check my sugar three times daily. I tried everything and nothing worked without having the dumping syndrome. I now can drink a soda because I am so far post op. The hospital recommended that since I was at the time 6 years past surgery.
   — nascar_angel_3_2003

April 20, 2008
orange juice -- any type of natural sugar will be fine -- the majority of ppl dump on refined sugars and not natural sugars -- rny post ops dump due to HOW the body processes sugar -- not the actual sugar itself -- i dump on bread -- i can eat sugar -- it's how the body processes certain foods -- good luck
   — RCassety

April 20, 2008
I am Type 1 diabetic, had the surgery 4 yrs ago and was on over 150 units of humalog insulin thru my pump per day. Now I average about 35-45 units of humalog. The other posters are Type 2, and may get off their meds, however you will always need insulin. I've had many low blood sugars, and glucose tabs works best. OJ & milk upset my pouch. (I had RNY). Good luck next Monday, and if I can help with any questions, feel free to e-mail me. There are only a few dozen of "us" out there, and we should keep in touch. Wendy morris119@yahoo 3/15/04 278/175/190
   — SJWendy