Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group
Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.
Hi all,
Things are getting back on track for me after slipping and sliding off kilter for the past month or so. I got back to basics and am feeling much more in control now. With only 31 lbs to go before my personal goal of 150 (I started at 264), and only seventeen pounds to go before I can say I've lost 100, I can't mess up now!!!
Anyway, this afternoon I was feeling lightheaded, a little dizzy and more than a little nauseous. My food journal today showed nothing that would have made me dump, so at my daughter's urging I tested my blood sugar.
It was 66, and this was just a half hour after my afternoon snack.
In my pre-surgery life, when I was full-blown diabetic, I knew that if one's sugar got too low that eating a bit of candy or drinking some fruit juice, especially orange juice, would raise one's blood sugars enough to bring them back to normal levels. I can't do that now, because I'd get a marvelous case of dumping syndrome. My questions are these:
1--Is this my new normal now and I should just not worry about it?
2--If this is indeed too low, what can I safely eat or drink in order to raise my blood glucose level to a safe number?
2a--My PCP retired suddenly over the summer and I have yet to find a new doc I'm comfortable with, so I don't know if I should ask the one I have, with whom I neither yet have an established relationship with nor does she know my health history, or I should just wait and ask my nutritionist. Thoughts?
3--Am I just worrying too much and staying online to avoid washing the dinner dishes? Again??? (it's nearly 10:30 PM PST and I haven't touched them yet! LOL)
Thanks for your input!
I had lots of problems with hypoglycemia before my gastric bypass and it almost became a deal breaker when I heard some people develop reactive hypoglycemia after RNY. My surgeon assured me that low blood sugar happens when people eat too many carbs and I'd be fine if I stuck to protein. I haven't had issues with hypoglycemia in the 6+ years since my RNY - - but I also dump super-easily and stay away from carbs many other people can eat post-op (things like yogurt & fruit).
What was your snack before your episode? Although it wasn't something that normally makes you dump, it sounds like it triggered your body to overproduce insulin. Eating 3 bites of protein for every 1 bite of anything else is supposed to keep our blood sugar levels stable (but even then, there are things I just can't eat).
Regarding your specific questions:
1. Feeling sick shouldn't be a new normal - it's you body's way of telling you something is wrong. This may have been a 1 time fluke, so you don't necessarily need to "worry" or make an urgent doctor's appointment, but I encourage you to read about "reactive hypoglycemia after RNY" online and take steps to address it. Unless your doctor is familiar with RNY, he/she probably won't be much help. I assume your nutritionist understands your unique needs post RNY - - can you call her/him?
2. As I said, I haven't had a blood sugar crash since my RNY - but back when I did, I'd suck on a spoonful of peanut butter and drink half a glass of orange juice. Post RNY, I suggest starting with peanut butter (which may do the trick by itself) and, if that doesn't stop the dizziness/shaking/sweats/nausea, also take a couple small sips of pineapple juice (or diluted a fruit juice). With reactive hypoglycemia, if you just eat/drink something sweet, you'll trigger another blood sugar drop. Eating protein with a carb helps keep your blood sugar levels stable. When I was nauseated, peanut butter was the easiest protein to keep down.
2a. See #1.
3. Probably ;) No judgements here.
((hugs))
JJ