Hypoglycemic testing. Interesting.....Wearing a port for 5 days
I had VSG 5/2009. Not one medical problem or complication. Lost 120# and life has been great.
Last spring, I was taken to the hospital via ambulance because I suddenly got hot, clammy, weak, shaky, nauseous, arms tingling, metallic taste in my mouth. Thought I was having either a heart attack or a stroke....(neither) but I've NEVER been to the ER for other than sutures!! All I knew is I was going to end up splat on the floor at work, and I didn't want the drama or the possible bloodshed (LOL I was picturing splitting my head open) for my coworkers to have to clean up!!
My blood sugar was taken in the ambulance and it was less than 60. They treat immediately if you're at 50. So they hung a bag of fluids on me and off we went. I felt somewhat better by the time I got wheeled in. Both the nurse and the ER Physician thought I'd had a "classic anxiety attack". I've NEVER had anxiety....never! I'm just not that kind of person. (I pity those who have that, gotta be tough). I attack stuff head on, I don't shy from situations. Although I do feel, looking back, that I was a bit 'anxious' and about to get slammed at work BUT I'd been there before. And this never happened.
Sooooo, my blood sugar got more normal, up to 80 or 90 and although I was very tired from the experience, I was fine. Had a few more episodes in the months following but nothing that extreme. I remember my mom had a blood glucose monitor/strips/etc so I started carrying it with me. So now, I'm at work in my regular office (not where I had 'the episode') and things are NOT stressed or anxious and all the sudden it hits me again. I take my blood sugar, it's 55! I immediately eat some applesauce and in 20 mins I'm much better and within the hour I'm normal.
So in the last year I have tested myself about 10 times or so with the same results. I relate this to my PCP and she schedules me for a visit with an Endocrinologist Wednesday. They inserted a temporary port in my abdomen covered with large see-through bandage (I can shower, swim). I take my BG level 4x a day, record my food and liquid intake (don't count carbs or calories) and on Sunday night I will pull it out and deliver it to the Dr's office on Monday morning so they can get the data out and analyze.
My point is, I've stayed away from lots of carbs (not all, and not always) for the most part for 5 years. When I look back, I remember seeing people posting here swear that sugar dumping didn't happen with VSG and perhaps clinically that's true, but there is SOMETHING going on with my pancreas, somehow, someway!!
I admit I do feel better having several small meals but it's always hard to eat, especially when you're not hungry or feeling full already....which is not to say I'm skinny Minnie. I've been battling back 15-20 lbs back and forth for a couple months by really watching my carbs (my go-to is crackers). But I don't always succeed. When I wasn't married it was much easier because I controlled the food in my kitchen. So the mind-screw is always there.
Anyway I will be interested in finding a fix for my hypo-ness and hopefully also contain my IBS as well. I could live with having to take more control and recording my BG every day. Perhaps that would allow me to actually get that weight off. We shall see. I'm certainly not unhappy but 5 years out, I have to be in charge and modify stuff that I know isn't right for me.
Eating small meals relatively frequently will go a long way in dealing with the hypoglycemia. Did you notice on the times you confirmed you were low what you at before (and how long before)? Do you suspect reactive hypoglycemia, or is it from skipping meals? Do you notice if some foods tend to make it more likely to occur?

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!
1Mo: -21 2Mo: -16 3Mo: -12 4MO - 13 5MO: -11 6MO: -10 7MO: -10.3 8MO: -6 Goal in 8 months 4 days!! 6' 2'' EWL 103% Starting size 28 or 4x (tight) now size 12 or large, shoe size 12 w to 10.5 150+ pounds lost
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Normally I am a pretty good historian, but frankly, I never charted it. But obviously, taking good notes would be a GOOD way to start! LOL. I do carry around a notebook for other things I want to notate, so for my health I better get more vigilant about this! I don't know what "reactive" hypoglycemia is....I don't really skip meals but they aren't always the same time every day. I've been writing down how I feel at the time of each BG draw, and just now had an IBS episode. I know, TMI. But it might be related. Thanks for your input!
on 7/11/14 9:29 am, edited 7/11/14 9:29 am - WI
I have reactive hypoglycemia. I eat a very small meal (protein forward) about every 3 or 4 hours. If I don't my blood sugar drops. The applesauce is probably not the best choice during an episode. For me, fruit acts like sugar in my body and can cause a spike and then a crash in blood sugar. When my blood sugar drops it helps to have a protein snack with a little bit of carbs (like a cracker with peanut butter, or a small handful of almonds and a few raisins) I stay away from pasta, bread, crackers... anything made with white flour. My meals are whole foods (meats and vegetables) and I limit my fruit intake to one or two small servings daily (usually berries of some kind, low glycemic). I eat a protein snack (cheese sticks) right before I go to bed so I don't wake up shaky. You can control RH with diet, but you have to make it a priority to eat right.
Edited to add that dumping and RH are NOT they same thing. VSG'ers do not dump. You still have your pyloric valve and food is held in your sleeve, just like a regular stomach. It does not "dump" into your intestines like it does with RNY'ers and their pouch.
Actually I believe about 10% of the vsg patients dump. Some of us experience it a little differently. For example, i will get heart palpatations and a little light headed, but not have intestinal involvement.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!
1Mo: -21 2Mo: -16 3Mo: -12 4MO - 13 5MO: -11 6MO: -10 7MO: -10.3 8MO: -6 Goal in 8 months 4 days!! 6' 2'' EWL 103% Starting size 28 or 4x (tight) now size 12 or large, shoe size 12 w to 10.5 150+ pounds lost
Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!