Yes, you can still get low blood sugar reactions after surgery.
- Mildly low blood sugar (less than 70 to 50 mg/dL) can be treated with a food that has 15 g of carbohydrate (for example, an apple, grapes, banana, and string cheese).
- More severe low blood sugar (less than 50 mg/dL) can be treated with 3 to 4 glucose tablets, 1 tube of glucose gel, hard candy, 1 tablespoon of honey, 2 tablespoons of raisins, ½ cup orange juice, or 1 tablespoon of sugar.
Dumping syndrome is usually caused by a larger sugar “load” such as ice cream and baked goods. Smaller doses like the examples above should not cause dumping.
Learn more about dumping syndrome and other possible side effects of surgery on the Complications and Side Effects page.
