Dumping Syndrome
If you've never heard of dumping syndrome, you probably haven't been investigating obesity surgery for very long. People who have surgery that involves a malabsorptive feature, like the roux-en-y or the Fobi pouch, are susceptible to an extremely uncomfortable, though not life-threatening problem called dumping, or rapid gastric emptying.
When the stomach empties (or "dumps") too quickly into the lower part of the small intestine called the jejunum, your body releases a rush of hormones and insulin, which causes a number of unpleasant symptoms.
This occurs most often after eating food with a high carbohydrate or sugar content, and seems to be the worst during the first six months to a year after surgery. You may have early or late dumping syndrome, or if you're really unlucky, both.
The early type happens within 15-30 minutes after eating. You may have any or (poor you!) all of these symptoms:
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal cramping
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- bloating
- belching
- sudden fatigue
- heart palpitations
- rapid heart rate
Sounds like loads of fun eh? But it may not be over yet. One to three hours after eating you may feel:
- sweaty
- weak
- tired - like you have to lie down or you might fall down
- dizzy
- shaky
- anxious or nervous
- heart palpitations
- rapid heart rate
- confused
People seem to have varying amounts of tolerance for sugar. Some people experience dumping syndrome after eating one bite of cake, even years after surgery, while others find that they have ever increasing tolerance for carbs and sugar. If you are really unlucky (or lucky, depending on your point of view), your body may overcome the rapid gastric emptying syndrome alltogether.
Because the feelings are so unpleasant, it's not always considered a bad thing. It can work as a deterrent for patients - helping you stay away from the sort of goodies that will slow your weight loss or even assist in putting the weight back on.
On the other hand, you can't count on dumping syndrome to keep you away from the pastries. The Guru herself has indulged in treats on occasion that she knew would end in ugly symptoms, but she did it anyway. We mustn't underestimate our desires. Remember - this is surgery on our stomachs, not our heads!
There is much talk in the gastric bypass forums about dumping. What symptoms can be included, how long it lasts, whether or not you can reset your "dump-o-meter", and whether certain delicacies are worth a bit of dumping. After experiencing it one or two times, you may agree that there isn't much in this world that tastes good enough to endure the consequence of rapid gastric emptying!
How do you avoid dumping syndrome?
The answer is fairly simple: Stay away from sugar. You will discover very quickly just how many carbohydrates it takes to set off your dump-o-meter, and you'll need to remain vigilant. We remember one woman who asked for an iced coffee made with sugar-free syrup in a certain coffee shop who got regular syrup instead, and she lay on the back seat of her car for three hours,moaning and feeling miserable without realising why.
Some in the gastric bypass world feel it's better not to experiment with how much sugar you can tolerate. Just avoid it and be done with it is their opinion. Others want to feel a bit normal, and not have to seem too out-of-the-ordinary when they go out, so they work on a trial and error basis. You'll have to decide for yourself how far you're willing to go to avoid dumping syndrome.
People who have restrictive-only surgeries like the adjustable gastric lap band shouldn't suffer from dumping syndrome because their food passes through their pouch into their original stomach before heading into the small intestine and then eventually the jejunum. Is that a blessing or a curse of adjustable gastric lap band? The answer will vary with the patient.
Here are some other pages you may find interesting:
- Anesthesia Complication
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Hair Loss After Surgery
- Gastric Bypass and Hair Loss
- Septicemia
Return to the Gastric Bypass Guru from Dumping Syndrome
