Hesitant....

Hi, folks,

I have a couple of medical problems that make me a little worried about my upcoming RNY, and maybe you can provide a little guidance for me. I'd sure appreciate whatever info you have.

My main concern is hypoglycemia. The doc and dietician both laughed this off as being the result of poor food choices. Silly me. But over the years, and there have been a lot of them, I've been eating a protein-forward, no caffeine diet, and I still have a real problem with it. Never know when I'll just collapse.

I'm worried about the liquid diet stages. I had to be on clears for 48 hours before a colonoscopy, and I couldn't move from the weakness. I don't know how I'll deal with two weeks or more on a liquid diet. Has anybody else here had that problem?

The other concern is less of a problem. I have severe Sjorgren's syndrome, which means I don't have enough spit in my mouth to get food down. I usually have to have a sip of water, especially with protein. I'll have to learn how to do this carefully after my RNY.

Thanks for "listening!"

Angie in Missouri

305(h)+++++++254(c)++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++180(g)

The hypoglycemia and the Sjorgren's syndrome would cause me to really do intense, additional research as well as get a second opinion from another surgeon. 

Some questions to address:

Is RNY the best weight loss surgery for you?

What are other options?

Could the hypoglycemia get worse after surgery?

As for the liquid diet, if this is a big issue for you with regards to the hypoglycemia, could you skip it?  (I never had to do one)

 

You have to be 100% sure you are getting the best surgery for your health concerns, and based on this post, I'm not so sure you are there yet.............

100% agree with all of this!!

Agree 100% with Kim. Reactive hypoglycemia is manageble for most people with diet but there are a few who have a difficult time. Martha aka Multimom is one, so I hope she chimes in.

Is there any treatment for Sjorgren's that eases dry.mouth? I can see where that could be a problem.

Reactive hypoglycemia seems to be very common after RNY and I'm sorry your doctor and dietician laughed at your concerns.  Personally, I would find other health care providers that take my concerns seriously, whatever they are.  Now, most folks I know are able to control their RH with diet but if you can't control yours now with diet, it may be more difficult to do so after surgery.  I would consider consulting with another dietician (one that doesn't laugh at patient's concerns) to see if you can get it under control with diet, but if you can't, you might want to consult an endocrinologist.

Are far as the liquid diet, most doctors don't recommend clear liquids for two weeks, but if yours does, then you could use a clear protein drink like Isopure or Cytomax.  That's what I would do if I had to do clear liquids for 48 hours for a colonoscopy or something.  Most often the two week liquid diet is full liquids, in which case you can choose from a wide range of protein shakes. 

I have SJOGREN's an have had no problems with food   

Thanks, Vicki, that's what I was hoping! Our ranch was between Kaufman and Forney --- lovely country!

Angie in Missouri

305(h)+++++++254(c)++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++180(g)

Because I also have bad reflux, RNY is the only weight loss surgery I can have. But it's a great one --- I have great faith in it.

There's only one Bariatric clinic that qualifies for Medicare, so I'm pretty much stuck with these people. It's always the first reaction of medical professionals to assume patients are idiots, and they're never willing to hear what you're trying to tell them. The only thing I can do is learn as much as I can about how to take care of myself.

That's why I really appreciate your responses!

Angie in Missouri

305(h)+++++++254(c)++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++180(g)

I had TERRIBLE reflux pre-op. It was so bad that I spent most nights sleeping sitting up. Since my DS 9.5 years ago, I had had ZERO reflux, and no, I don't take any PPIs either.

In your situation, I'd do some real hard thinking before I when ahead with the RNY. We have some long-term post-ops here who have the very devil of a time dealing with the hypoglycemia issue, and a few have even had revisions because of it.