Question:
Has anyone post-op developed low sugar?

I am 20 months post-op and have developed low sugar. My doctor did a glucose test whiched showed my sugar at a low rate. My symptoms are tiredness and shaking. I have been told to eat crackers every 2 hours in between meals. I am wondering if this is a side effect of WLS?    — Lorraine R. (posted on September 26, 1999)

September 26, 1999
I am 8 months post-op and have had problems with hypoglycemia since I was three weeks post-op. I see a nutritonist (who's has experience with wls) and she says that I probably had a very mild case of it pre-op. I too get very tired, sleepy, dizzy, light-headed, my brain feels "fuzzy" and on and on. I have to eat every three hours without fail, and if I get off track, it takes me about a day to feel better. Good luck!
   — Zoe S.

September 27, 1999
I am hypoglycemic, and my physician told me that as some obese people lose weight, they are realizing that they are hypoglycemic and that sometimes their diet kept them from knowing beforehand. I know that as I lose weight my problem gets worse...(one of my fears on the upcoming surgery) but the high protein should be good at helping you maintain your sugar levels for longer periods...try to eat something with protein in it, I don't see how the crackers will help you much.. but then again he's the doctor, so... Please do yourself a favor and get you some of those glucose tablets for hypoglycemia or carry fruit or orange juice with you every where you go...you can pass out from too low of sugar.
   — SherP

September 28, 1999
Hi Elaine, I'll be interested in the responses you get. I have the fatigue but not the shakiness. I never thought of checking my blood sugar. I am 15mo post-op.
   — Penny W.

May 23, 2003
I am 20 months post op and have just been diagnosed with reactive hypoglycemia - I was hoping the surgery would take care of these kinds of problems. I am eating better than I ever eaten. I agree, keep something in your purse, in the care and desk at work if needed. It is a good thing to tell people around you of your condition because as you know it comes on quickly and I never know when it will hit. When they tested my level it was 37 after the 2 hour fasting and they tell me anything below 45 is extremely dangerous!! My doctors told me to eat crackers as well the reason being is the carbs in it will sustain you longer than a quick fix of sugar. It was explained to me that a good level of carbs was key! And I gain so much weight on carbs. When I followed the diet the dietician gave me I gained 18 lbs - I told my dr - no way!! I did not put my body through the surgery only to gain the weight back. so now I follow the high protein, fresh fruits and veggies and I take psyllium tablets - which seem to be working. Good luck
   — Judi M.

May 23, 2003
Please check out the grad list for more discussion of this. The crackers are very likley settingyou up for the NEXT crash. "reactive", so what does that mean? I think (please note only *I* think) that our disease will some day be named insulin resistance, and the pre-diabetes hypo G, then diabetes, then wt loss, then reactive H, will all fall into a pattern that we can see & predict. Of course, I am not medical and know nothing at all, but I keep seeing it over & over. The hypo G attacks are miserable, yet diabetes takes out your organs, eyes & feet! And You'd have to talk a very long time to show me that we could ever NOT have the underlying condition (insulin resistance) that causes that chain, regardless of wt.
   — vitalady

June 23, 2003
I a Type 2 Diabetic, and am having Reactive Hypoglycemia... my endochrinologist, surgeon and dietician shrug when I keep bringing it up. My crashes are in the 40's and about 4-5 times/week. Eating carbs right after a crash is NOT the best solution - Michelle is right! It does set us up for another crash (just happened yesterday). And knowing that I am going to crash makes me NOT want to eat anything. Better to not crash at all, since I have no appetite. Last night I started a journal for my endochrinologist- who I am seeing Thursday- I am tracking EVERYTHING I put in my mouth, and checking my blood sugars every hour... and plan on staying in his office until I have some kind of help that makes sense for a post-op. I dump easily, so "keeping juice on hand" is not an option. Also, when you hit between 40 and 50, believe me, the last thing you can think of is eating. I have not, in 8 months, found the pattern to my reactive hypoglycemia... I hope someone else has more answers. I am amazed that there are not more endochrinologists well-versed in WLS! Good luck to you! Shelli, 14 mo. post-op Lap RNY, -110#
   — kultgirl