Question:
Experiencing low blood sugar levels on a daily basis

It will be 3 years since my gastric bypass and about 8 months ago started to experience low blood sugar levels and now its been the past 2 month now my docter took me off work cause i've had to many low numbers in the 2.8 to 3.3 range. i'm not a diabetic and the glucose tabs and my contour machine is with me at all times, the only way to keep it up is to keep eating. the diatician has advised me to incorporate my whole grains as this will make my food go through me slower. i've just had a ct scan of my pancrease to see if there are any cyst.. anyone else having this problem after surgery    — claire G. (posted on November 4, 2011)

November 4, 2011
I will be 2 years post-op in December and I started having low blood sugars last december... my dr has be carry peanut butter crackers in my car, just incase, they work! They also told me to make sure I incorporate protein and carbs at every meal... the right combination help to maintain blood sugar. I usually peanut butter on toast or eggs with cheese and toast and meat pot or rice and veggies always eating all protein then veggies then startches... this works for me... very few issues :)
   — fortywhat2

November 4, 2011
I haven't been formally diagnosed, but after researching it quite a bit, I think I have "reactive hypoglycemia".. after I've eaten something it takes about an hour and my blood sugar plummets... not fun. I've had a few incidents where after my blood sugar drops I have to go home and lay down.. i'm so exhausted. I guess I'd rather hanve this than the dumping syndrome .. but it's not fun. I find that a few hard candies a day usually takes care of it ! -- Best of luck.. Karen .. 1 yr 10 months post op !
   — KQinNC

November 4, 2011
I too, have reactive hypoglycemia. It occurs with me when I eat carbs with caffeine. I find that if I eat protein with my carbs after or with coffee, it doesn't happen. Caffeine will lower blood sugar, so watch your intake with carbs. good luck.
   — Debbi S.

November 5, 2011
I am 2 1/2 years out and I have the same problem when I eat carbs, bread, potatoes, fruit, etc. If I eat carbs I make sure that I am getting more protein. But I try to avoid all carbs. I've had my sugar drop as low as 47 which is very scary.
   — dsquire

November 5, 2011
I regularly speak with folks who are post-RNY at least 3+ years and who suffer with a myriad of negative issues. The common denominator I find is the simple fact, they are significantly skimping on protein. They also usually have inadequate and uninformed help from those they should be able to trust: dietitians, doctors, and or nurses who operate with the best of intentions; however, either they have not been trained in malabsorption or bioavailability of protein issues, or have a pet product they personally wish to promote because they benefit from promoting the product. I also find it very challenging to get through to these wonderful folks who are so hurting, preaching 100% whey protein powder first, second, third, forth, fifth, and sixth, etc. and not to rely on what they eat. Folks in our situation eat to exercise our chewing muscles. Those folks who think it is appropriate to have peanut butter this and that are unaware that this is counter-indicative for the thyroid and contributes to the problem, as does white foods, white bread, cakes, potatoes, milk, etc. Go to my OH Group Website www.ObesityHelp.com/group/BellevueWA where you will learn (1) how to calculate exactly how much protein you need daily -- yes, do the math!; (2) the bioavailability of protein and thus make better choices for your chewing exercises the bioavailability issue is spelled out for folks who've had the lap band as well as RNY); (3) commence to rigorously keep your daily food diary, whether you use the one provided at OH or another such as securing the one from www.myfitday.com.; (4) learn to learn to learn how to read labels; (5) get off the coffee list and liquor list!; (6) be sure to get the proper amount of supplements and vitamins/minerals (in my case, I rely on Pre-Natal vitamins and at 74 I don't plan to get pregnant, and because of my RNY I take DOUBLE THE DOSE); be sure you get a MINIMUM of 64 ounces of liquid nourishment daily, and only up to 96 ounces daily if you heavily exercise; and (8) be honest with yourself and keep up with your exercises. In my situation, I am almost 7 hrs post RNY, and what keeps me going in spite of osteoarthritis issues and other later-in-life issues, is making sure I have a MINIMUM of 120 grams of protein daily (counting only my 100% whey protein isolate in powder form and not the protein from what I chew), 64 -- 96 ounces of liquid nourishment; and keep up with getting sufficient greens (I DIDN'T say VEGETABLES, I said GREENS), besides regular exercises. For my greens, I use my Vitamix because the motor in the Vitamix womps those greens in seconds into instant pulverization, which I womp (mix) with fruits, energy supplements like ZipFiz and Calcium C powder available from Trader Joes, as well as taking 1 level scoop a day of Garden of Life Perfect Food, which you can purchase at www.VitaminShoppe.com. The mixture lasts 60 days. This Garden of Life Perfect Food augments everything for your body because of our being 50% malabsorptive due to the RNY surgery. For my preferred protein powder, I have tried them all. In my opinion, the very best anywhere is also available at www.VitaminShoppe.com. It is Isopure which comes in a multiplicity of flavors, as well as gluten-free chocolate, no-flavor, and vanilla. Unjury is my second choice although the protein content is less. But, they have a fantastic and scrumptious-tasting chicken soup one. No one else in the market has this. Those cloyingly sweet bullets or liquid protein drinks simply make me want to gag, do nothing to help me feel nourished, and are so costly. I truly know that what I write, although I am speaking from personal experience of long standing, will raise the ire of many folks because more than likely they have personal agendas; however, I have successfully worked to help so many, many folks, who all share these commmon problems, and I know what I know because I've been through it and I still remain a success story of having vibrant health in spite of elderly health challenges (a live bacteria which ate my internal organs, killed my liver, and ate most of my pancreas; 2 Vegas responses where my heart stopped and I stopped breathing, splitting my head open both times, getting a pace maker, and the last one of having a total hip replacement done last March, and from which I am still successfully recuperating) or as I say, opportunities to continue enjoying life and living it to the fullest. I truly hope what I write provides you good council to be writing exactly what I am writing when you are post 7 years post-op. My blessings, Christine Gibson, OH Support Group Leader & Coach, and Bariatric University trained Coach (surely hope I've said all that correctly.)
   — Christine Gibson