What you are referring to as ‘hot flashes’ are actually a symptom of dumping syndrome. This type of reaction, for me, happens as a result of pancreatic asynchrony. Because most of my vagus nerve was removed during my surgery, my pancreas does not receive the necessary signals to release insulin at the right time to help me digest carbohydrates, especially sugars. As a result, sometimes there is too much insulin in my blood and I experience severe hypoglycemia. One of the symptoms of hypoglycemia is sudden heavy sweating. Other symptoms I experience are dizziness and nausea, depending on the severity of the ‘attack.’

Whenever this happens, I immediately eat something sweet, followed by some protein. My symptoms usually subside within 10 minutes. In order to avoid dumping, I try to make sure to balance my macros - carbohydrates, proteins, and fats - every time I eat. I also take pancreatic enzymes, prescribed by my doctor, before I eat anything. Those have made a monumental difference in my quality of life and have enabled me to eat almost normally after 9 months post surgery.

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