is this dumping?

Okay 5 months post op and 101 lbs down (15 away from new goal) and I have a stupid question. I have always had trouble with carbs, (bread, rice, pasta, any thing in that catagory) but not with sugar. When I eat carbs alone I literally pass out with in 5 minutes. Lesson learned!!! Well the only meats I can handle are: rarer beef, rarer lamb, pork, and fish.  I am anemic and I have been craving rare steak like a pregnant fiend. I have been eating it too with no issues. Now all of a sudden even the smallest portion of it makes me drunk sleepy. Same as the carbs do. I have to lay down, I don't pass out like the carbs but I do have to lay down fast.    Is this my body's way of saying you can't have this anymore, and is it a form of dumping. I feel so strong after eating the red meats.........help please

I would call your surgeon tomorrow.  That is not normal and it isn't dumping.  At least by the definition that I know of.  Sounds like your body may be low on something and they need to check your labs.  Are you taking your vitamins and drinking protein?  Make sure you are drinking lots of water as well.  Please call your dr. and keep us posted.  Take care. Moni

Hi Kim... I am almost four years post-op (down 180 - yea me!) and I have similar issues with carbs.  The problems have lessened in severity over the last 2 years or so, but what you're talking about sounds familiar.  The drunk sleepy thing is more what I experience now.  I used to full out "dump" (sweating, heart palpitations, diarrhea).  I still occassionally get those symptoms too from carbs, but usually, more of the "I-can't-keep-my-eyes-open-another-minute" feeling.   The feeling tends to pass in less than an hour - which is what makes me convinced it's related to dumping.  (That and I know the history of these symptoms in myself).

To be honest, Kim, it's been a good symptom to have.  It's helped me control my carb intake and maintain my loss. Carbs were a huge trigger food for me (heck, still are!) and this annoying problem keeps me honest.   Good luck!

 

Hi Silly Girl - Congrats on 180lbs lost.  That is fantastic.  I just noticed you have the same great surgeon I do.  Dr. Rosen is the best!  Were you at the holiday party his office had last Thursday?  I was trying to put a face w/ the name. Congratulations on your journey. Christina

Sounds like a call to the doctor is first on your list tomorrow. Aime

Hi Kim, I would definitely call your doctor tomorrow morning to run it by him/her. 

For me, if I'm craving red meat like you describe, I listen to my body as I may be needing the nutrients that particular food provides.  I would also mention that to your doctor as well.  You may need to have your iron levels checked and an overall lab test. For me, I still dump at five years.  I am so grateful that I dump.  If  I'm out in public, it is a good way to avoid indulging in something sugary.  I would be pretty humuliated to have to crawl up in the corner somewhere and "sleep it off".  I become so tired and have to sleep.  When you eat protein and carbs, do you eat your protein first?  If you're eating the carbs first without protein on board, it can make you dump.  It definitely does for me.  I must eat some protein first.  Just a thought for you to possibly consider. Call your doctor tomorrow and let us know what you find out.  Take care!

 

I'm preop and absolutely clueless. I do recommend that you go to your doctor and let him figure it out. Don't take chances. We're not doctors no matter how much experience we have.

Hi, It sounds like you are anemic and I would definitely recommend getting a full set of lab work done. I am 18 months out from surgery and if I eat a high glycemic index food (simple carbs) I do the same thing. I have been told that this is due to a surge in insulin and then a sudden drop! A physician friend told me that some patients of his have this type of reaction after surgery and it is believed due to the patient being a borderline or diabetic(that may or may not been diagonised prior to surgery). He said that the body gets used to higher levels of insulin and because right after surgery we have to detox (off almost all carbs) that it upsets the pancreas and then causes the sudden upshifts and downshifts in insulin levels.  I too have to lay down and almost always fall asleep for a short time and then wake back up feeling fine. My lab work has been great since I recovered from all my complications (post surgical).  Hope this helps.....I know if I eat a higher protein diet and stay as far away from simple carbs I feel alot better and dont have this type of issue!  But then today I was reading online that a high protein diet causes certain cancers.....gessshh...it will get to the point where we wont be able to eat anything without it being linked to something! LOL Hugs, Dawn

Yes I am anemic, I was a 3 in November, but found out I was before surg too and no one told me. I was 23 (level) before surg in June.

I'm only a month out, but that's exactly how I dump.  I get sooooo tired, I have to lay down and sleep.  I can't keep my eyes open.  I may also get a fast heart rate, but that's it. Spinach and pea's are high in iron, as well as raisins and dried apricots.  Perhaps changing your proteins to chicken and fish for a while, upping/adding these veggies while taking your iron supplements might help.  Then try the beef again in a couple of weeks.