Dumping Syndrome
Dumping syndrome usually occurs only in gastric bypass patients, but can occasionally occur in sleeve gastrectomy patients as well.
There are two types of dumping syndrome: early and late.
Up to 70% of patients may experience early dumping syndrome, and within this, roughly 5% may experience severe symptoms (1).
Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, low blood pressure, bloating, cold sweats, fast heart rate, vomiting, and dizziness.
Symptoms usually occur within 10-30 minutes after eating and resolve within 1-2 hours.
“Late” dumping syndrome can occur 1-4 hours after eating and is usually caused by infrequent eating or consuming a meal high in simple sugar or refined carbohydrates (ie: think cake, donuts, pastries, juice, pasta, cookies, etc).
Here are some quick tips regarding dumping syndrome:
- Simple sugars such as honey, dehydrated cane juice, fructose, and other sugar additives can cause dumping syndrome- even in small amounts. Read your labels!
- Wait 30 minutes after a meal before drinking. Try not to eat and drink simultaneously
- Steer clear of greasy foods
- Avoid alcohol
- Eat small frequent meals that are low on the glycemic index
- Eat high protein whole foods
Bibliography
- Nguyen, N., and Christopher D. Still. “Managing Common Nutrition Problems After Bariatric Surgery.” The ASMBS Textbook of Bariatric Surgery, Springer, New York, 2014.
I experience serious dumping syndrome whenever I eat sugary stuff (regular soda, candy, humm chocolate covered marshmallow santa clauses ((happened today)), gum drops, etc) you get the idea…. Mine is the early dumping sydrome. The only way for me to get better is to vomit and then lay down and go to sleep. And, lucky me, I get all the symptoms. It is absolutely horrible. Just when you think you can eat that kind of stuff…..it turns around and rears it’s ugly head!!! Please take it from me and do not try this stuff.????????