Dumping Syndrome

After having a Gastric Bypass procedure it is common to experience something known as  Dumping Syndrome.



Dumping Syndrome often happens when foods high in sugar or fat pass too quickly from your newly created pouch into the small intestines. 



Symptoms of Dumping Syndrome


Abdominal pain and or fullness

Nausea and vomiting

Stomach cramping

Sweating

Diarrhea

Dizziness

Weakness or fatigue

Increased bowel sounds 

Rapid heartbeat 



Tips to help eliminate  Dumping Syndrome 

Eat several small meals a day

Include protein in every meal. This not only helps insure you are getting your protein requirement but protein will also help slow the absorption of carbohydrates (which turn into sugar).

Avoid concentrated sweets and sugars such as pastries, candies, jelly, syrup and soda. 

When purchasing food always look for sugar free varieties first. Then look for light or natural no sugar added products. 

Also avoid high fat foods such as mayonnaise, butter, fried foods, and high fat meats such as bacon, sausage and salami. 

Choose fat free, reduced fat and light products. Also avoid frying foods.



On a personal note I have experienced this awful dumping syndrome several times. 

Sometimes it was brought on when I foolishly ate too much !

And sometimes it  happened because of something I have eaten.  I have been very careful to avoid sweets even though they used to be one of my weaknesses. In fact that was one of the reasons I chose Roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery because I knew about the dumping syndrome that would occur when eating something too sweet.  I wanted that detourant.  So it is not something you would think of as too sweet that caused my terrible symptoms.  For me it was something as simple as spaghetti. You don't think of spaghetti as sweet but I think it's the sweetness of the the tomato sauce combined with the carbohydrates in the pasta (turning into sugar) that does it to me. Tomato products are one of those foods that affect me and I have to be careful of.  However I found that lasagna doesn't affect me the same way. Why? I think because of all the protein (cheese) slows down the absorption of the carbohydrates (pasta).  Like the above tips pointed out ....Eat protein with all your meals to slow absorption of carbohydrates.   


When I have experienced Dumping Syndrome it is awful!  I might start out with a pain or feeling of fullness in my upper abdomen. I start out just not feeling good and may start feeling too warm and begin sweating. I may have a rapid heartbeat.  After that I start with the nausea and the increased saliva production, meaning i'm going to vomit soon. This process usually takes awhile to unfold and you just feel terrible and want it to be over. I would say in my experience it has usually lasted around 2 hours. It has happened about 5 times in the last 3 years. Believe me I try to avoid it. I think about  what I am eating and listen to my body.  Unless you've completely overdone it your body will let you know to back off and hopefully avoid the dreaded Dumping Syndrome! 


That's the best advice I can give you........Listen to your body !