Revision from RNY to Gastric Sleeve Needed Severe Hypoglycemia

cassybaca

Is there anyone else here who is going through what I am going through? It has been an incredibly bumpy road! For the passed two years, I started having crazy symptoms! I saw multiple doctors and no one could tell me what was wrong. I wrecked my car, started acting completely unlike myself at times and I started to think I was suffering from some sort of mental illness. I even went as far as to check myself into a mental hospital and they told me that I didn’t need to be there and that my mental state was fine but my body was going horribly wrong and fighting with me!

Here are some symptoms I was experiencing: lack of coordination, stumbling, confusion, extreme forgetfulness, night sweats/shaking, day sweats/shaking, visual disturbances, extreme anxiety, and eventually I began having seizures and even have passed out a couple of times.

Up until about 7 months ago, I didn’t know it was from my blood sugars. Like I said, doctors kept telling me basically good luck or We don’t know what to tell you. I had moved out of state and the drs there weren’t any help at all, so eventually we moved back home to IL where we are now and are beginning to FINALLY get some answers!! I have an amazing endocrinologist who actually participated in a study with post bariatric patients who have experienced these blood sugar issues. She worked closely with a dr who has since moved to Kansas City. I have to have a continuous glucose monitor on at all times and basically have to eat or drink all day long in order to try and keep my sugar levels within a normal zone of 80-140. As soon as I eat, my sugars go up but then drop suddenly and leave me with the crazy symptoms all over again! All night long, my sugars are below 50 usually. I have crazy sleep disturbances and will sweat and shake in the middle of the night. I barely drive anymore unless I’m eating while I’m driving because my sugars are so crazy! And because I pretty much have to eat all day long, I was not able to get down to my goal weight of 140lbs and started actually gaining weight back. I have lost over 200lbs but this is extremely frustrating to be so unhealthy now after all I have done! My number one goal is to be healthy obviously! I want to be able to work out again or even walk down the street without almost passing out from my sugars dropping! But also, I want to finally get to my goal weight and live a normal life!

I was told I needed a revision from bypass to sleeve, but it’s extremely dangerous. I saw a dr who said they don’t have the proper facility to do it and she referred me to the dr who originally did my surgery. That dr now takes my insurance again (they weren’t last year which is why I sought out other help), and has the facility, etc but he won’t perform the surgery on me. The dr who did the study and has since moved to Kansas City WILL do the surgery, but I would have to pay out of pocket $18,000-$21,000 BEFORE surgery to have it done ☹️ So now I’m on the hunt to find a surgeon who will accept my insurance and also do this surgery to help fix me. I just want my life back! I don’t want to die. But leaving things as is, I can die. My family has endured so much with all of this.

Jessica12877

Wow! I'm so sorry you have been going through this. It may be a long shot, but look into the Obesity Control Center in TJ, MX. I know the sound of that scares some people, but Dr. Ortiz is a well known physician in the bariatric field. You would not be able to use insurance, but the out of pocket cost would be much less than in the states. Good luck to you. Its sounds like you've been living a nightmare

fit_chickx

@cassybaca

I'm sorry for all the things you are struggling with. Your reactive hypoglycemia sounds like it's more sever than mine. I hope Dr's can treat it successfully.

I'm a sleeve five years out and have reactive hypoglycemia. (It's a common complication from surgery) With the sleeve, I get no dumping syndrome when I consume sugar.

My lowest blood sugar reading was 24. I tracked with my glucose meter and noticed some trends. Higher calorie burn workouts, stomach distress, eating sugar and higher processed carbohydrates have an effect on my sugars dropping. Other times there is no ryme or reason for it.

At time's, I eat things to stop them from dropping, they can still rise and drop for three hours then stabilize. I've learned to live with it and manage it over the years.

I'm sending you a friend request. I hope you keep in contact and update me on how things are going.

Wishing you the best,

Jennifer.

lmdh2o

I have developed reactive hypoglycemia as well...which has caused peripheral neuropathy. However, mine is totally controllable if I stay away fro sugar and high glycemic food. I finally got that and have been abstinent from sugar for three weeks. Haven't had an attack. Unfortunately the neuropathy is here to stay....nerve damage. I also had RNY. I don't regret the surgery...but mine is not as severe as yours.

lmdh2o

Also, I keep tangerines close at hand. I eat small snacks...like a tangerine and a couple of almonds...just in case. It's taken me a few years but I have it managed now. I had my surgery in 2001. There is life after this. My blood sugar used to drop so badly I passed out or got confused...got lost once walking from the bus. Emergency trips, etc. My doctor fortunately diagnosed it almost immediately, A nutritionist was able to help me get on track. I never got totally to goal weight, then gained some back, but I'm still 130 less than my highest weight and losing again now that I have my sugar under control.