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.

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krimicri 04/26/2010

I just had what I think was a hypoglycemic episode at work. I ate lunch at noon, tuna fish and crackers, and had a cup of coffee at 2p. At around 3:45p I started shaking pretty bad, so I grabbed a handful of nuts, drank a protein shake, and ate 2 cinnamon candy disk thingies and the shaking has gone away for the most part. I never had diabetes and was never borderline or anything, but noticed this is the 2nd time in 3 days that this has happened. Eating makes it better, but Im wondering why its happening so frequently?

I read that reactive hypoglycemia is common in gastric bypass patients, is that right? It sounds like it usually happens a few years out, but I'm only 5 months out. And what can I do to keep it at bay in the future? Eat more frequently?

Im due for my 6 month visit next month and plan on asking my doc about it, but if I can avoid it happening again until then that would be great.

Lilith11 04/26/2010

I am having more and more hypoglycemic episodes. Sometimes I am afraid to go to the gym. I am diabetic but using a third of the insulin that I was using before. I am on a insulin pump. Just you be careful eat more frequent, or get some glucose tabs. They will not cause dumping........
Altheia

deleted_user 04/26/2010

Pairing protein and carbs usually helps avoid an imbalance. It sounds like you did that, but I wonder if the absorption change takes in the carb, before the protein. I would contact the Dr. as it could be other imbalances as well...

krimicri 04/26/2010

I've emailed my docs office and am going to be keeping a close eye on things, eating more frequently, and buy some glucose tablets in case it happens again, but definitely going to try to find out what's going on.

Thanks for the input!

deleted_user 04/26/2010

I have had more episodes lately. It doesn't sound like you ate anything to cause it though. What did you eat for breakfast? Peanut butter or a drink of OJ helps me quickly. I keep a bag of peanut butter pretzels bites in the car just for that purpose.

krimicri 04/26/2010

I always have a protein drink first thing in the morning at 6a, 2 sixteen oz cups of hot tea between 7 and 9, and greek yogurt with kashi golean fiber twigs mixed in around 9am, that usually holds me over til lunchtime.

I think where I'm running into trouble is between lunch and time to go home I'm not eating anything, I think maybe I should throw a snack in there around 2:30p-3p.. will try that and see if it helps.

I did buy glucose tabs at your suggestion, I am going to keep them in my purse just in case, but try not to let it happen again, so we'll see how it goes!

Rede2go 04/26/2010

I've experienced this phenomenon my whole life (usually after a high carb meal like cereal followed by several hours of not eating). And even though I'm just 3 weeks out from surgery, it's been happening much more often. My doc gave me a glucometer so I can test my blood sugar when I start feeling shakey. So far I'm getting shakey with sugars in the 80s which I hear is possible for someone my size (currently 219). I'm assuming that my body is trying to adjust to my new lifestyle and that's why it's happening more frequently. My doc said that my body has probably always reacted with "too much insulin" at once. Small frequent balanced meals is the key. Sounds like you're on the right track with adding the afternoon snack. Juice is what helps me when I feel this way but like you, I'm trying to prevent it. Do you mind letting me know what your doc thinks after your appointment?

krimicri 04/26/2010

Rede2go, not at all! I'm actually going back and forth in email with my nutritionist and she asked me to send her a schedule of my typical day so she can see if anything jumps out at her, so I should be hearing back from her tonight or tomorrow.. i'm thinking that I"m just not eating frequently enough.. after lunch is a problem for me because I'm simply not hungry after lunch, usually until I go home, and I need to stop doing that. :-/

Will let you know what my nut. thinks.

imjj4short 04/27/2010

I've had problems with hypoglycemia since crash dieting back in junior high. It's one of the things that sabotaged my efforts to lose weight as an adult (when having a low blood sugar episode, pre-surgery, a spoonful of peanut butter and very small glass of orange juice helped me feel better quickly).

It has been so strange to eat as little as I have been eating and not have a single episode of low blood sugar since surgery. The program I am under gives a guideline of 3/1 protein to carb ratio but right now I am keeping mostly to protein (with some fruit).

When I read about the hypoglycemia problems some people were having 3-4 years out from surgery I was very concerned and talked to my surgeon about it. She said the culprit was usually a diet too high in carbohydrates.

Good luck! I hope they are able to give you some answers.

JJ

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