The Future is bright when it comes to dumping syndrome after gastric bypass.
I feel dumping syndrome is one of the worst side effects of gastric bypass surgery that I experienced. Fortunately, for me and many others, it lasted for only a short time, roughly two years.
After gastric bypass surgery, dumping syndrome is caused by physiological changes to our bodies and can be combated by both time and behavioral changes we make. Let’s take a closer look at dumping syndrome and become familiar with one of the most dreaded side effects of gastric bypass. In this post, I’ll give a quick review of what dumping syndrome is. I’ll also tell you about the changes I made that helped me cope with it.
What is Dumping Syndrome
Dumping syndrome happens when your new pouch empties its contents too quickly into your intestine. There are two different types of dumping syndrome, Early and Late. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases finds that of the people who experience dumping syndrome, more people, around 75 percent, experience early dumping syndrome, while only around 25 percent experience late dumping syndrome. Most people will experience one kind or the other, few people experience both.
It can be scary experiencing dumping for the first time. Knowing the symptoms can lessen your worry.
Early Dumping Syndrome
Early Dumping Syndrome: Occurs quickly after eating, when large amounts of food move faster than normal through the stoma into the small intestine. It can happen up to 30 minutes after you eat and usually lasts around an hour.
Causes:
- Stretching of the small intestine
- Rapid movement of fluid into the intestine
Symptoms include:
- Feeling full, even if you’ve only eaten a small amount
- Feeling bloated
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Rapid heartbeat
- Sweating or flushing
- Light-headedness or headache
- Dizziness
Late Dumping Syndrome
Late Dumping Syndrome: This doesn’t happen as quickly as early dumping. It occurs when large amounts of sugar (glucose) from beverages or food move faster than normal through the stoma into the intestine. It happens 2 to 3 hours after you eat and can last up to an hour.
Cause:
- Large amounts of insulin are released to combat faster than normal increase in blood sugar levels.
Symptoms include:
- Weakness
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Cold sweats
- Dizziness
- Shaky or jittery feeling
- Disorientation
- Hunger
Coping With Dumping Syndrome
I had my gastric bypass in early June of 2001. I had several small instances of what I thought was dumping syndrome in those early months. They were nothing terrible. A little cramping, a little diarrhea. Some sweating. Certainly not as bad as I’d heard others say they’ve experienced. Then came Thanksgiving. I experienced my first severe bout of dumping syndrome after I just couldn’t resist trying a small piece of each dessert served after Thanksgiving dinner. It was 20 years ago and I can remember it like it was yesterday. I thought I was having a heart attack. My heart was racing. I was sweaty and dizzy and my body was shaky. All that before the abdominal cramping and nausea kicked in. One of the most vivid memories of this episode was the feeling of the food and fluids moving through my body. I felt it dump into my intestine and work its way through my intestines. I felt it hit my colon and then spent a very unpleasant time hoping my entire family couldn’t hear what was happening in my bathroom. I never wanted to experience that again.
After that ordeal, I tried really hard to make the dietary changes I need to, in order to not have it happen again. I completely cut out any type of dessert. I would only have the occasional sip of soda. I even virtually eliminated pasta from my diet, and for an Italian girl that is a true sacrifice. Over the first two years, I was mostly successful in avoiding dumping. I can remember it happening two or three more times, but nothing like that Thanksgiving.
For most people, early dumping generally goes away in a few months, the body adjusts to the new way food is digested and symptoms lessen over time. Late dumping can take a bit longer and usually is helped along with changes made to the diet.
Eliminating or reducing the amount of sugary food you eat is usually one of the first steps on the path to healthy eating. When it comes to late dumping syndrome, eliminating or reducing sugary foods can be more of a giant leap. Try to avoid cakes, cookies, candies, and pastries. Also remember to avoid sugary drinks like soda, sports drinks, and shakes, just to name a few.
Once you have had a severe bout of dumping syndrome you will never look at a cupcake the same way again.
Ways to Avoid Dumping Syndrome
There are quite a few dietary strategies that can help minimize the symptoms of dumping. I comprised a list of the most common ways taken from several different sources.*
- Eat smaller meals. Try eating five or six small meals throughout the day rather than three larger meals.
- Stop eating when full.
- Drink most of your fluids between meals. Try to drink 8 glasses of water throughout the day
- Don’t drink liquids in the 30 minutes before or after meals
- Chew food thoroughly, this helps to aid digestion
- Limit high-sugar foods such as candy, sugar, syrup, sodas, and juices
- Eat more protein by consuming meat, poultry, creamy peanut butter, tofu, and fish
- Increase fiber intake. Try eating high-fiber foods, such as oatmeal, whole-grain bread, beans, lentils, and vegetables
- Limit or avoid white bread, white rice, and white pasta
- Avoid alcohol consumption
- Dairy is high in the natural sugar lactose, try lactose-free products to see if they make a difference
- As always, seek out the advice of a Registered Dietician or your medical doctor before making changes to your diet
*Sources: The Cleveland Clinic, Medical News Today, UWHealth
When to See a Doctor
If you make dietary changes and your symptoms still persist speak with your doctor. You could be at risk for eating avoidance and nutritional deficiencies.** Ask your doctor about medications that are available for treating dumping syndrome. Your doctor will evaluate you and advise you of the best course of action.
**Source: Science Direct