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@MrsKarenC2008 I'm glad you came back to the site. I wish you the best and I hope you pop in more. Just found this this article. Hypoglycemia and reactive hypoglycemia. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/expert-answers/reactive-hypoglycemia/faq-20057778 I'm not sure what category I fit in *laughing at myself* My low blood sugars don't make sense to me or my Dr. Fasting or food, My low blood sugars have no pattern. At 140 pounds and year out from surgery, my pancreas started functioning but not correctly. Dr said its a RH is complication from surgery but it's also a blessing to know my pancreas is working.

Wow, Jewell, you are an amazingly strong and determined caregiver. I was also sleeved on 2/4. I just want to encourage you to stay where you are in prioritizing time for yourself in your current life that requires so much from you for everyone else. You are right, you need to take care of you first in order to care for everyone else. It sounds like a very sad and challenging time for your family with your husband's illness. I appreciate your need to do all you can to be there for him and see him through as long as you can...what a lucky man to have such a dedicated wife. I also believe that our psychology effects our weight loss and body's response to the physical changes. I noticed you said you felt full from the salad, are you still eating your Protein first? I am a slow loser as well, I've lost about 20 pounds since surgery and this is with regular workouts, strict adherence to dietary requirements, and even logging everything into a food journal. I've reached a point that I really honestly don't care anymore about the numbers. I see lots of evidence of a healthier and better lifestyle emerging. I encourage you to keep things simple in all ways possible as your life is pretty demanding right now in ways you can't control. I do these things, they work for me... if it sounds like bits and pieces that might work for you great... if not, no harm sharing. I always start my day with a Protein shake (I use zero carb from GNC/Vitamin store), I mix with with vanilla almond milk and thus start my day with 20 oz of fluids, 50 grams of protein, and a good nutritional boost. I just won't let myself have anything else until I am done with the shake. I don't love it or hate it, so it takes me a good while to finish it and I feel full all morning long. When my shake is done, I pour a glass of Water (calorie free fluids) and focus on finishing before moving on to any real food. Lunch(ish) is always 2-3 ounces of some protein and a vegetable (I will make turkey meatballs/meatloaf on sunday and portion freeze for week, or sometimes a turkey chili things that make the rest of my busy week easier). I always finish my protein and just barely get to the vegetable. I think the key for you is going to be planning out your week so you don't just eat throughout the day in a reactive way to how your day goes. Here are some ideas of things you can make ahead and then have ready for quick healthy meals during the week: hard boiled eggs (I've done deviled too just to keep it yummy and fun) meatballs (I make them with ground chx/turkey...email me if you want some of my recipes) chicken breast/strips (easy to prepare ahead and portion out keeps well for days, and can freeze for later) seasoned hamburger patties (I make them about 4oz before cooking, they cook down perfect for me) lean pork chops Quick to cook Proteins (but don't keep as well): shrimp and fish I buy the small vegetable portions, frozen steamables as side dishes that are quick and easy for myself. I usually serve half and save half for next meal (I never even finish the half because I eat the protein first. As for dinner, well I cook for my family and plan those meals for the week too. I have noticed I sabotage myself "tasting" things and enjoying the cooking process and often can't eat cause I feel full and mostly, i didn't focus on protein! What I noticed is it leads to me eating as soon as the fullness goes away (more like snacking). I just don't do that when I force myself to eat protein first! By eating protein first I seem just full and satisfied for much longer. I always pour a drink when I am done eating. I force myself to drink a full glass between meals. Yes, I will wait 30 minutes typically, but mostly I just naturally wait because I am too full to want to drink. By pouring it though, I know I have to have it before food is even a thought. I agree... water, water, water! Or whatever fluids work for you. Lastly, move around... exercise is important for your psychological health and feeling good. I HIGHLY recommend you do what feels good and you enjoy whatever that is. Put music on and clean/dance have fun everyday. Do whatever you need to do to make sure it isn't a chore! I even turn the music on in my car and do a lot of dancing in my seat . Just tensing and flexing, and using your body even in the car is fun, feels good, and get your blood pumping. You need some feel good outlets in your world right now! I wish you the best and hope that you are able to carve out some time for yourself to just feel good and enjoy this process of transformation regardless of how fast or slow it passes. Take care of yourself and please keep us posted. I would love to Celebrate your successes with you. Keep coming back here for support and know that you are not alone in this. HUGS

This has me somewhat baffled - and same as catwoman, I've never heard of this being done as a normal pre-op test. I would be interested in hearing what their rationale is, as my understanding of it all is that stomach emptying in a normal person is largely a function of the pyloric valve, which is being bypassed along with the remnant stomach in your RNY. I can understand that if you were having a sleeve or DS done, which preserves the pyloric valve, then faster than normal emptying could imply a higher risk of post-op dumping or reactive hypoglycemia, which are rare with the sleeve based procedures but relatively common with the bypass (owing to the existence or non-existence of that pyloric valve.) Maybe a tendency toward rapid empyting implies that the surgeon should give you a tighter stoma to slow things down post-op? Call me confused - but curious!

Thank you everyone for the feedback and I appreciate it all including the "tough love". I am planning on giving the band more time and I have been really working it. I do know one thing I actually need to do more of believe it or not is eat. I think my body is starving and wants to hold onto its fat. I generally prefer protein shakes over solid food, not because I can't eat but because I feel safer with liquids but my body probably isn't getting everything it needs. I'm also hypo-thyroid due to a complete thyroidectomy so that makes it more difficult. I have deciced to continue with the band but at the same time attend meetings and session for the bypass. I don't need to go ahead with the bypass but I want to jump in the program in case I decide to do it. I know the band is a tool and its not going to happen overnight just very very frustrating as everyone is aware. thanks again

I went to turkey. Paid around 3.5k all in. Aftercare is through whatsapp and calls. It was okay for me and they are pretty reactive (get back to me with in a day) on any questions I ask. They send lists of blood tests to do every once in a while. I'm 4 months out.

OK this is a new symptom that has started over the last couple of weeks. For those that have had reactive hypoglycaemia you know that slightly jittery feeling you start to get that tells you it's on its way? Well I've been getting that on and off lately but it doesn't become hypoglycaemia and my blood glucose levels are fine (eg. 4.8 mmol / 86.4 mg). It's not affecting me dramatically, it's just more annoying than anything. I haven't changed what I eat. I am exercising more but it doesn't seem linked to exercise that I do. Like, I could wake up feeling this way. I'm not drinking lots of caffeine. So what gives? Anyone else have this happen?

What maintainance? When I read about possible monthly iron infusions because of anemia and malnutrition, beri beri, nerve damage (numbness)in your extremeties, reactive hypoglcemia, seizures, strictures, ulcers etc., etc. associated with the bypass surgery, all of the emergency room hostpital stays, doctor visits those problems entail, I will do my lap band maintainance, happily. You are going to have monthly check up anyway the first year. That is when you get your fills. I haven't had a fill in years. Please do your research then make an informed decision.

Make sure that whatever doctor you go to, you monitor your heart disease risk... you have to ask for a few tests that are not typical, but these are a few tests for the some of the biggest indicators of heart disease... make sure you ask for C-Reactive Protein levels and fibrinogen levels.... also, many overweight/obese people have thyroid disorder and it goes undiagnosed in many people for years.... the range levels are set too high... although recently I know they have been lowered. Your TSH should be under 2.0 to be under control, but also your other T4 and T3 levels are very important in your thyroid profile. I post this on here because I have learned the hard way that my traditional medicine doctors never tested me for any of this and when they did do thyroid screens per my several requests, they all said they were in the NORMAL RANGE, but for years it was way too sluggish and I should have been treated. I now to a naturalpath and thyroid is tightly controlled and I have a baseline for my C-Reactive protein and fibrinogen levels. Don't know if this is helpful to anyone, but I have rampid heart disease in my immediate and extended family and wish I knew this info earlier! Kammi in Everett, WA DOB 5/27/08 335/302/180 Dr. Kuri - TJ Mexico

Have you had any medical evaluation of your GERD other than just what you are feeling - an upper GI or endoscopy to see whats going on in there to cause it? Self diagnosis is not a good start toward a revision. The VSG has a predisposition toward GERD owing to the stomach volume being cut down much more than the acid production potential along with its high pressure character (much like the RNY is predisposed toward marginal ulcers, dumping and reactive hypoglycemia owing to its specific quirks.) If your GERD is a simple result of the above VSG factors, then revising to a DS won't help the situation; an RNY is the more typical solution. However, if your GERD is caused by a hiatal hernia or a malformed sleeve (strictures and the like) then it is not unreasonable for surgery to correct that particular problem will do the trick; a DS in itself will not do anything for GERD as it will use your existing VSG as a starting point - a re-sleeve may be done at the same time depending upon need. Revising to the DS will help some with losing some regain but mostly will help avoid future regain, but revisions in general are typically only marginally successful in treating regain. I can't speak for your specific insurance, but generally insurance will cover any medically necessary revisions for treating complications.

Christina, Dr. Pleatman is one of the doctors that feels that NSAIDS are fine on a sort term basis. The is no real PROOF of them causing band erosion, just the mental flow of logic that some NSAIDS are hard on a stomach if taken in high doses and over long periods of time, and that it may cause problems with the stomach lining thereby possibly causing erosion of the lining near the band. Also if a person is properly adjusted with the band there, many of the pills are to big to be taken and would lodge into the stomach stoma that is formed with the band. A liquid form of the NSAIDS would be a better alternative from the physicality problem part, however infrequent use of nsaids--especially if taken with with milk- should not be a problem or concern towards erosion. If a person is taking large dosages or taking them over weeks of time--then it could become a problem with the stomach in general. Right now it seems that the largest body of evidnece of erosion is that it is caused by surgeon technique in securing the band and if the surgeon removes the "fat pouch" around the stomach. The more body tissue cut into and/or removed the greater chance of the body forming a reactive surface to the band. That was one reason the larger band was created was so that the fat pouch could be left in tact with the band merely placed around the fat pouch and stomach while leaving enough room in the band unfilled. Another "thought" as to why erosion was caused was that sometimes surgeons closed (latched) the band on the stomach--in effect, pinching it partially in the band. This would cause an irritation that could "fester" into an erosion- hence another reason for the larger band. I don't think there are any definative answers as to what really causes erosion as erosion is a very small number--like 1-2% of all banded people and falls into the mainly non-event category of complications. Statistically speaking, the number is small enough that it could even be just due to different body types and chemistries having a reaction with the band or the material. Also these bands are placed on not the most healthiest people-many with other health complications and/or medicines and these could be causing some of these erosions as well. I am just glad that the numbers are as small as they are. If I remember the statistics right you had a greater chance of dying or became physically incapacitated from surgery than getting erosion. T

No weight loss surgery is perfect for everyone. One has to realize being overweight has its own risks for surgery. The band haters, they seem to focus on the fact that this "foreign obeject" is messing them up ( excuse me what are hundreds of titanium staples?). I have read enough profiles in seven years to read between the lines and figure out a lot of them ambushed themselves. For some reason or another if a sleeve or gastric bypass or a duodenal switch fails there is not as much hate. Even though a lot of them are ruined for life physically (and eventually mentally). Research has shown that a lot more disparaging things are being discovered about the sleeve. The stomach has a lot of nerves and hormones that keep our system in balance. Sleeve surgery was only used in the past for extreme medical emergencies. There must have been a good reason for this. All the yahoo about removing ghrelin, well it has been shown a lot more depression happens when ghrelin is removed. I have also read about a lot of sleeve patients groaning about hunger. The band reduces the size of the opening that food can go through. Gastric bypass does this, but over time it stretches. Also the pyloric valve is bypassed. Food rushes too fast through the digestive system. Reactive hypogylcemia can happen and this can result in seizures. Malnutrition in the bypass and duodenal switch, that is a whole other dissertation. Monthly iron infusions for the rest of your life, and how many times have I heard people who don't know any better go on about band maintainance. How about iron infusion maintainance. I can go on and on, but I won't. Take care everyone.

Yeah I thought it would be okay for the steamed vegetables because I love them but then the nutritionist is like no absolutely nothing so I feel like they don’t really understand the reactive hypoglycemia and the terrible nausea.

I had the same question when I was thinking of getting the lapband surgery. I had thyroid cancer 8 yrs ago, no thyroid at all now, but just taking meds. My Endo keeps me hyperthyroid which is overactive, hypo IS underactive. {to keep the cancer at bay} on high doses of thyroid meds. I've lost 50lbs in 5 mths, I'm 57, not a young 'chick' but still young. My Endo has been decreasing my medication each month as I've been losing weight and so far so good. I've plateaued for the past month but I believe it's due to my not working out due to the heat. I am back working out and know I'll see the numbers on the scale going down. Besides making the right food choices, exercise is crucial with keeping on the program losiing weight and maintaining. Good luck.

You are right, ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and CRP (C-Reactive Protein) are VERY non-specific tests. Basically, they determine whether there is inflammation anywhere...hs-CRP is also a very non-specific indicator of possible CE's, but it's not used much because of the lack of reliability. Oh, and some forms of birth control can actually make a CRP positive, IIRC. The chance of you having cancer, something autoimmune or something major like that is very low, but I don't have your family history in front of me, so I can't tell you for sure. Would some inflammation around the area of your band cause that? I suppose it's conceivable, but I'm not 100%. I'm hoping the best for you, though! Keep us updated! Do you have the exact figures from your test, by the way?

Hey everyone, I was diagnosed with Hypo at the age of 9. My blood sugar stays around 60 and can spike to about 90 if I drink alot of soda. It is always on the low side. I am just curious how well I am going to do on an all liquid diet. If I don't get enough to eat I will crash. I am always exhausted as it is and my endo recommended the lap band. He said I wouldn't be so tired if I lost the weight. I am not sure if he realized the liquid diet that came with it. I am just wondering if I am gonna get in over my head. I am doing carb free diet right now and feel light headed and can't concentrate. My Dad has done low carb for years and says it is sorta like going through withdrawls. After a few days the aching will pass. Any input?

Being exhausted can be a sign of low blood sugar. I was diabetic prior to surgery. If I had not come off all my diabetic meds after surgery, these meds could have forced my blood sugar to go towards the low side. For the first month after surgery, your body is in a major heal mode. That might cause the exhaustion. Some meds may cause these symptoms. There is also a condition called reactive hypoglycemia that some people who underwent WLS encounter. But at 2 weeks, I think this is too soon for that condition.

I am severely HYPO with no function at all. i am under the impression that as you loose weight, there is less of you to medicate. BUT, it all boils down to your TSH numbers and your t-3/t-4 balance. I get tested at least once a year. Nothing makes you feel worse than an imbalance. But, i am told I will never get better.

I haven't eaten any of the Jello mousse either. Was just sharing the recipe. But I am equally terrified of dumping syndrome! Nothing is worth that feeling in my book! But, with this mousse being very low fat & sugar free it's a nice option. I have many diabetics in my family and instead of cakes for birthdays, we typically have fresh fruit and the jello mouse as options. I actually have low blood sugar - reactive hypoglycemia. So, I kind of know what dumping feels like. Don't ever want to do that to myself intentionally! I wish you luck with your surgery! I'm thrilled I had it done! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Ideally, doctors and anesthesia providers would ask you to quit for at least 2 months and closer to 6 months prior to elective surgery. However, we all realize that this isn't realistic for everyone. You should know that you get the most benefit for reducing complications related to anesthesia if you have quit smoking 8 weeks (2 months) prior to your anesthesia. What you do beyond that is really a discussion for you and your surgeon and anesthesia provider, but whatever you do, be sure you are honest about your smoking. It really impacts how your anesthesia care is provided and can really make a difference in how you do. They know what to expect better if they know you've smoked in the last month, or week, or 24 hours, rather than lying about it. Recent smoking can make your airway more reactive, more difficult to intubate, can make you more prone to bronchospasm and laryngospasm, and can alter your oxygenation capabilities, among other things. As far as the band itself, as others have said the only real effect would be on your wound healing post op.

FWIW, I'm into BodyMods, specifically piercings and in that realm titanium is regarded as the best materia to place in a fresh piercing as it so rarely causes an allergic reaction. It's almost entirely hypo allergenic.

I have reactive hypoglycemia, so I can relate! I'm so sorry you're going through this - my heart goes out to you..

Whole milk is "regular milk" It's "whole milkfat". If I drink cows milk it's also 1 to 2%. I like whole milk sometimes, but it's just way too fatty, and skim is nasty to me. I bought some of the Silk soy milk and thought it was alright. I'm going to try some other brands, and checkout the Ricemilk as well. And yes, Hypo-thyroid is the one you have, where your thyroid is slower... hyper is fast... like a hyper little kid . But see what your doc says? *edited for typos*

I have had an endoscopy, upper GI, and cat scan of the abdomen/pelvis. Except for the cat scan showing an enlarged ovary and a cyst on my other ovary, these tests were normal. I am waiting now to have an ultrasound to get more info about my ovary abnormalities. I am anemic, probably from the heavy periods I've had the last year. I'm on iron supplements now. Also, my c-reactive protein was high. My RA factor was within normal range. I'm going to ask for an ESR lab and a CA-125. It's very frustrating.

As requested by one of my favorite fellow teachers, I am going to outline my journey through this process. Other than researching the surgery, my first step was visiting my primary care physician, Dr. Mark DalleAve. (This was around June 2008, I believe.) I was reluctant to ask him about the surgery because he tends to be very conservative. I feared he would want me to try more traditional methods--again. Surprisingly, that was not the case. He said he thought I would be a good candidate for the surgery and sent me for some preliminary bloodwork he knew would be required. The bloodwork revealed that everything was basically okay with the exception of my thyroid. I can never remember whether mine is hyper or hypo. I just know that the number on my bloodwork print out was higher than it should've been. I think the highest it should be is like 4.5 and mine was 9 something. Either way, he put me on synthroid for two months, and I had to be rechecked after that. The medicine worked well. My levels were down to 2 something when rechecked. As I said before, my other tests were "basically okay." However, as I researched the results and what they meant, I realized that I am VERY close to being a diagnosed diabetic. That was another real wake up call for me. I do NOT want to become diabetic and have to handle all the problems that come with that. This gave me even more determination to do this and make it work. After my thyroid was under controll with medicine, the doctor was ready to refer me to the surgeon. This is where the waiting game started again. (I was already disappointed by having to wait months on the thyroid tests.) It took nearly two weeks for me to even hear from the surgeon. (This surgeon had been recommended by the nurses at Dr. DalleAve's office because he said they knew more about who was good than he did.) When I did hear back from this surgeon, there was a huge packet of information for me to complete and they wanted a "Program Fee" of $150 before they would make my appointment. When I asked questions of the receptionist, she answered everything, but she didn't offer any information on her own. I was unimpressed. I was a little unsure if this was the surgeon I wanted to see, so I did a little more research on this website as well as others online. I called the office of Doctors Watson and Hodge in Johnson City, TN, and I'm very glad I did. The receptionist was happy to answer my questions and offered additional information on the expertise and experience of the surgeons. I had to wait nearly three months for an appointment, but they gladly made me an appointment. I met with Dr. Hodge for the first time on Dec. 17, 2008. (In the meantime I did have quite a lot of paperwork to complete but not nearly as much as requested by the other surgeon. All of this questions actually seemed relevant.) In the time while I had to wait for my appointment, I decided to do everything I could to prepare. I contacted my insurance company to find out exactly what requirements I would have to meet to qualify for the surgery. (I already knew it was a covered benefit.) I met every criteria, but I was disappointed to learn that I would have to undergo a 6 mo. doctor supervised diet before surgery. When starting this journey, I hoped to have the surgery in early 2009. At every turn I realized it would take longer and longer, and it seemed like it would take forever. I also found that I would have to attend four seminars on the lap band as required by my surgeon. I attended two of these in October, and I plan to attend the other two soon. At the October seminars, I learned that I would have a few more hoops to jump. December 17 came more quickly than I imagined. At that visit, I was given a list of my homework and directions for starting my 6 mo. diet. All my homework will be "due" by my 7th appointment, which will also be the end of my sixth month diet and my preop appointment. For my homework, I have to have statements from my primary care doctor once per year from 2004-2008 with my height and weight listed. This is to show my five year history of obesity. (No problem there; I was obese even as the captain of my high school cheerleading squad.) These records can be from any visit; it doesn't have to be a weight-related visit. I also have to have an EGD, which I have scheduled for my spring break. I do NOT have to have an ultrasound of my gall bladder because I had that removed in 2004. I also have to have a letter from Dr. DalleAve stating that he "recommends" me as a candidate for the surgery, a letter from myself to my surgeon stating why I want to have the surgery and what I expect, a visit to a nutritionist, and a visit to a psychologist. The surgeon's office was very helpful in recommending psychologists, and they actually offer complimentary visits to a nutritionist at the local mall's health services center. This is in addition to the seminars which I mentioned previously. I know this may sound like a lot of homework, but I have six months to do it, so I don't think it will be bad. The last thing I have done is my second visit to the surgeon. I didn't see him, but I saw his nurse practioner instead. She was very helpful and encouraging. I lost 5 pounds on the first month of my 6 mo. diet. I was apologetic that I hadn't lost more, but she was quick to let me know that any loss was a good loss. My next appointment is in a few weeks, and by that time I hope to have more of my "homework" completed. I will post again after that, if not before. Until then, wish me luck and let me know if you have any questions.

Boy am I glad that this thread was started, and I am thankful that I am not alone...I got into the dr tomorrow for my 3rd fill...I was banded 10/29 and have only lost 20 pounds...lately I feel hungry all of the time...did have my thyroid checked and found that I am hypo and started meds...hopefully with a new fill and thryoid meds, I will feel like exercising more...I am so tired some days that I could sleep from 4:00 in the afternoon until morning....I thought losing weight was to help with energy and instead I feel more emotionally tired and physically exhausted. Thanks everyone for posting, it gives me hope that I can start each day new.:thumbdown: