Hypoglycemia After Bariatric Surgery- What You SHOULD know
Medically Reviewed by Katelyn J. Mock, US-Registered Dietician (R.D.)
Question – I am non-diabetic but have had low blood sugar after bariatric surgery. What should I do?
There are many reasons why a person feels light-headed and dizzy after bariatric surgery. One such reason is hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is a possibility after both gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery.
- Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar is a complication of gastric bypass or any other bariatric surgery, including mini gastric bypass surgery or gastric balloon.
- According to the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, post-gastric bypass hypoglycemia (PGBH) should initially be treated with a diet rich in fiber and protein but low in carbohydrates.
- It further states that if the problem persists, medication such as “acarbose or a calcium channel blocker and octreotide or diazoxide or both” can be taken.
Symptoms of Non-Diabetic Hypoglycemia Post Weight Loss Surgery
It is not necessary to experience any of these symptoms to have hypoglycemia. Such a condition has been termed as Hypoglycemia Unawareness.[1]Health Line. “Can You Have Hypoglycemia Without Having Diabetes?” 25 July 2018
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Some common symptoms are-
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Blurred Vision
- Extreme Hunger
- Excessive Sweating
- Problem in Concentrating
Severe hypoglycemia patients exhibit symptoms like rapid heartbeat, seizures, nausea, and anxiety. [2]American Diabetes Association. “Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose)” 25 July 2018.
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Causes of Hypoglycemia After Bariatric Surgery
Some factors[3]Diabetes.co.uk, “Diabetes and Hypoglycemia” 26 July 2018.
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- A very high dose of medication (either insulin or hypo-causing tablets)
- Irregular meals
- Too much exercise
- Alcohol
- Deficiencies in counter-regulatory hormones (cortisol, glucagon, and epinephrine)[4]Marisa E Desimon MD and Ruth S Weinstock PhD. “Non-Diabetic Hypoglycemia” (Last updated in 2017) PMC. Web. 26 July 2017
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Alleviating Hypoglycemia Following Bariatric Surgery
Post-bariatric hypoglycemia can be life-threatening as it can be accompanied by dizziness and seizures, which gives rise to motor vehicle accidents as well.[5]Goldfine, Allison B., and Mary Elizabeth Patti. “How Common Is Hypoglycemia After Gastric Bypass?” Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)6 (2016): 1210–1211. PMC. Web. 26 July 2018
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This is why it is necessary to eat right and drink the right amount of fluids. One needs to have a protein-rich balanced diet. (Some post-op stage 3 diet ideas).
Research indicates that post-gastric bypass hypoglycemia (PGBH) specifically occurs postprandially after 6 months of the surgery.[6]Lee, Clare J. et al. “Risk of Post-Gastric Bypass Surgery Hypoglycemia in Nondiabetic Individuals: A Single Center Experience.” Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)6 (2016): 1342–1348. PMC. Web. 26 July 2018.
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- Mild hypoglycemia can be treated by taking glucose orally or by consuming foods that contain carbohydrates. For instance, juice, candy or a small meal.[7]Evert, Alison B. “Treatment of Mild Hypoglycemia.” Diabetes Spectrum: A Publication of the American Diabetes Association1 (2014): 58–62. PMC. Web. 26 July 2018.
View in Article - Try drinking about one-third of a cup of juice.
- Have a protein + glucose stabilizer bar.
- If you are more than 1 week out from bariatric surgery, you can have some puréed fruit, yogurt with a little sweetener, or mashed potatoes.
- For those of you who are long out, 1/2 a piece of fruit and 1 oz of cheese or 1 tbs of nut butter is a great snack to have.
- Eat something with at least 15 gm of carbohydrates every 3 hours to help prevent hypoglycemia.
- Good choices are fruit, Greek yogurt, 3-6 whole-grain crackers, oatmeal, roasted potatoes, brown rice, dried fruit, or whole-grain bread (if you can tolerate it).
This Post Addresses
- What are the symptoms of non-diabetic hypoglycemia following weight loss surgery?
- What should I eat after bariatric surgery in case of low blood sugar?
- Symptoms of hypoglycemic attack post gastric bypass
- Can you have low blood sugar and not be diabetic?
References
- Health Line. “Can You Have Hypoglycemia Without Having Diabetes?” 25 July 2018
- American Diabetes Association. “Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose)” 25 July 2018.
- Diabetes.co.uk, “Diabetes and Hypoglycemia” 26 July 2018.
- Marisa E Desimon MD and Ruth S Weinstock PhD. “Non-Diabetic Hypoglycemia” (Last updated in 2017) PMC. Web. 26 July 2017
- Goldfine, Allison B., and Mary Elizabeth Patti. “How Common Is Hypoglycemia After Gastric Bypass?” Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)6 (2016): 1210–1211. PMC. Web. 26 July 2018.
- Lee, Clare J. et al. “Risk of Post-Gastric Bypass Surgery Hypoglycemia in Nondiabetic Individuals: A Single Center Experience.” Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)6 (2016): 1342–1348. PMC. Web. 26 July 2018.
- Evert, Alison B. “Treatment of Mild Hypoglycemia.” Diabetes Spectrum: A Publication of the American Diabetes Association1 (2014): 58–62. PMC. Web. 26 July 2018.
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Mild hypoglycemia can be treated by taking glucose orally or by consuming foods that contain carbohydrates. For instance, juice, candy or a small meal.
Try drinking about one-third of a cup of juice.
Have a protein + glucose stabilizer bar.
If you are more than 1 week out from bariatric surgery, you can have some puréed fruit, yogurt with a little sweetener, or mashed potatoes.
For those of you that are long out, 1/2 a piece of fruit and 1 oz of cheese or 1 tbs of nut butter is a great snack to have.
Eat something with at least 15 gm of carbohydrates every 3 hours to help prevent hypoglycemia.
Good choices are fruit, Greek yogurt, 3-6 whole-grain crackers, oatmeal, roasted potatoes, brown rice, dried fruit, or whole-grain bread (if you can tolerate it).”,
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