Question:
Congestion after eating?

My friend Mary had her WLS three years ago. She says that when she gets full at dinner or lunch- she gets congested. Has anyone heard of that or suffered from that?    — Cindy K. (posted on January 2, 2001)

January 2, 2001
I haven't had surgery yet.. and I don't have an answer for you.. but I have the same "syndrome" when I get full or drink margaritas of all things... if you find out what causes this let me know ([email protected]) ;)
   — audra H.

January 2, 2001
I first noticed the same phenomina when I was on a cruise, about 6 months after my lap BPD/DS. I thought I was coming down with a cold every nite at dinner. When I mentioned it to my surgeon, he looked a me like I was nuts. Since then I have found other WLS patients who share the same or similar symptoms. Some sneeze, some tear. When I am too full I will become congested. If I continue to eat, my nose will start dripping and I will begin sneezing. I have had it explained that near the stomach are a number of nerves, one of them the histamine nerve. When this nerve is stimulated by a stomach distending in its vicinity, it can cause atypical histamine reactions. I is nice to understand this phenomina and now that I can pay attention to it, I am never in danger of overeating or eating to discomfort. My friends will now remind me that I've had enough, if I don't pay attention to my sneezing.
   — Jill L.

January 2, 2001
Jill, i just wanted to say thank you for explaining this phenomenon because I too, had the doctor look at me like I was crazy. I don't get congested but I sneeze uncontrollably (maybe 15 to 20 times). I couldn't figure out what it was and only one other person said that they too experienced this. I thought that I was going crazy until I heard from her. Thanks again for telling me why this happens and that I am not crazy. Seems this only happens to me with red meat for some reason. Don't ask me, it's strange to me too.
   — Barbara H.

May 25, 2001
I also sneeze during and after meals. Usually when I start sneezing, it is due to my eating too fast or too much. I either slow down or stop eating. I know when I sneeze, I have had enough! At first, it really bothered me, but now my nose is my little "watch dog"! You learn to live with those things you cannot change.
   — Pamela B.