Question:
Has anyone developed new food or medication allergies since WLS?

I have had a reaction to medication I took for years (Ultram) which felt like someone squeezing my chest as hard as they could. It lasted almost 2 hours, and I almost called 911 and then it stopped. It happened twice and I threw out the pills. That was 2 months ago, and today the same thing happened following a cup of Chai Tea ( I had never tried this tea before)Can anyone figure out what is going on....the pain was again excruciating but only lasted 45 minutes this time, I assume because the liquid tea leaves my system quicker than a pill did....HELP PLEASE!!    — Linda 1. (posted on February 2, 2003)

February 2, 2003
hiya linda. i developed an intolerance to gluten and the symptoms are anaphylactic - depending on how much i eat dictates the severity of my reaction. it starts out with runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing and can progress to tightness in chest, tightness in throat and shortness of breath! so i did research and have not found this to be a "common complication" post op. i developed this around 9 mos post op. i kept a food/drink diary so i could figure out exactly what was causing the reaction and now i am aware of what foods i'll find gluten in and how much i can eat before i get a severe reaction. my pcp didn't think a person could develop something like a gluten intolerance this late in life (i'm 34) but he agrees with me that this is what is going on. i suggest you keep track of the ingredients of all food/drink/meds for a month or so and what (if any) reactions you have, this should help so you can avoid trigger foods/drink/med in the future. good luck! kate www.geocities.com/katebme2002 open rny 6-14-01 pre op: 268lbs goal: 135lbs current: 124lbs
   — jkb

February 2, 2003
I'm not sure if I would qualify this as an allergy (does an allergy just consist of runny nose, watery eyes and a rash?), but I can no longer eat any foods that have soy sauce or teriyaki sauce in them, at least I think thats what it is. Chinese/Japanese food used to be favorites of mine, but now, chicken lo-mein or a stir fry causes severe pouch pain and throwing up. Did NOT have this pre-op. Go figure-why couldn't that occur with chocolate?!
   — Cindy R.

February 2, 2003
I believe allergies can develope at any time in our lives, even to things we previously had no sensitivity to. With WLS, reactions might occur either because of lower body weight, or a difference in the absorbtion rate due to the changes in our pouches/intestines. In my case, I can't eat eggs anymore. The second day I was allowed soft foods following my surgery, I made scrambled eggs, and got sick as a dog. Five weeks later, I tried an omelet - was sick for almost 24 hours. Eleven months after surgery, I had some merrange (sp?), which is eggs white, sugar, and mostly air, and was sick all night.
   — Cyndie K.

February 2, 2003
MILK!! I am now lactose intolerant. I used to drink milk by the jugful, now I have to take a lactase pill if I think I'm going to eat ANYTHING with dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt,etc..).
   — Toni C.