Question:
what causes sleepiness right after eating anything

   — MissThankful (posted on January 1, 2004)

January 1, 2004
I get a sleepy feeling whenever I eat no-no's (sweets & fatty things), but I never feel that way when I eat protein & good stuff. Audra, Open RNY 8/7/03. 5'6"/248/173/140
   — jellybean0605

January 1, 2004
I haven't had my surgery yet but it was my understanding when talking to my surgeon that the no-no's that you are talking about are comparable to what happens when a diabetic has a "spell" only with WLS its called "dumping"
   — Tonya C.

January 1, 2004
Typically "dumping", whether from consuming sugar or from eating too quickly will more likely cause abdominal discomfort rather than sleepiness. It is possible that you are eating too much forcing an increased flow of blood to your pouch (which can cause of feeling like exhaustion). Or, it is possible that you are experiencing the after-effects of the carbohydrates you are consuming (which will cause tiredness after they initially boost your blood sugar). Certainly, depending upon how far you are post-operatively, a myriad of other causes could explain your tiredness after eating. Try keeping a detailed food journal for a few days and note when (and if) you feel tired; then share these notes with your surgeon to determine the exact cause of your problem.
   — SteveColarossi

January 1, 2004
I call it a stage 1 dump. Head bobbles around, eyes keep slamming shut. Sugar, of course, too much, too fast.... and when this was happening to us, the doc said, "Drinking with meals?" US? No way! He writes, turns around and says, "SIPPING?" Well, er, um, just a lil bit, not really much. But apparently just enough to slide the food (even good food) thru too fast and the intestine reacts by proclaiming a crisis and all the fluids rush to the scene of the "accident" and dumping begins. So, besides all the obvious that you know (our technical limit is 6g of sugar PER MEAL), think about maybe a lil too much bite-sip-bite-sip going on.
   — vitalady

January 1, 2004
Steve said . . . << It is possible that you are eating too much forcing an increased flow of blood to your pouch (which can cause of feeling like exhaustion). >> <p> For me, it's not exhaustion, it's uncontrollable sleepiness, and it's dumping!
   — RWH G.

January 1, 2004
It's possible we are talking about dumping reaction here, but there is a general explanation for people....WLS or not. There are certain enzymes contained in many foods (tryptophan for one) that promote sleepiness. And definately when you eat, your blood is shunted to the digestive system. Which means it is diverted from other areas including the brain (not totally of course) which causes sleepiness too....kinda like the after-lunch drowsiness that everyone gets. Its also why you are not supposed to exercise immediately after eating to avoid cramping....because the blood is shunted to the digestive system instead of the muscles. That's the scientist in me talking I guess....lol!
   — emilyfink

January 2, 2004
I am 17 days post-op and just starting on soft foods. I've noticed that everytime I eat something I feel like my head is inflating, light-headedness, my head feels too heavy to hold up, I get really tired and my eyes want to close. Sometimes I feel a little dizzy too. I too have classified these feelings in "stages". That is stage 1 dumping. Stage 2 dumping is all of the above with a headache. Sometimes my tummy speaks to me, rather loudly too. Stage 3 dumping goes as far as being nauseous. Fortunately, I haven't gone beyond that yet. I do watch my sugar/carb intake and I think my new plumbing is trying to get used to the foreign invasion.
   — boonikki29

January 2, 2004
Carbs do it to me.
   — Danmark

January 3, 2004
I too felt sleepy after after broth or whatever restriction early post-op - I'm talking about 1 spoon - would exhuast me, so I know I did not overeat - my doctor said it was the lack of protein in the system and vitamins as well. However, I should stay in a sitting position 30-40 min after my last bite of food. Sure enough as my protein/vitamins increased that "exhaustion" lessen - each day. I'm 34 days post-op - seems I'm losing a pound a day -down 34 pounds.
   — Anna M.

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