What Is Dumping Syndrome?
Dumping syndrome or “rapid gastric emptying” can be a common side effect after weight loss surgery. Our bariatric surgery specialists can help you identify this concern and address the issue before serious problems can set in. Dumping syndrome describes a group of symptoms that can occur when food is emptied too quickly from the stomach. These symptoms may include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Diarrhea
- Increased heart rate
- Dizziness
- Sweating or feeling flushed
- Feeling full after eating only a small amount
Symptoms typically occur during or right after a meal, but may also occur 1-3 hours later. Although the effects may be frightening, they are not life threatening and can be avoided with changes to how and what you eat. Here are a few tips to help avoid this uncomfortable experience:
- Try to eat smaller and more frequent meals. Aim to eat 5-6 small meals a day
- Eat your food slowly, and chew food well before swallowing. Cutting food into small pieces will also help
- Avoid foods/fluids that are high in sugar. For example: cookies, doughnuts, fruit juices, pies, and pastries
- Use sugar replacements such as Equal® or Splenda™ rather than real sugar
- Avoid drinking fluids during meals. Instead, drink before or after
- Avoid simple carbohydrates, like white breads, white pasta, white rice, and most packaged cereals. Instead, try to eat more complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, oatmeal, bran, brown rice, beans, fruits, and vegetables.
By making some healthy changes and “dumping” those bad habits you will not only lose weight but also can avoid unwanted symptoms.
– Jill Tanner RN, MSN, APRN
Griffin Bariatrics Nurse Navigator
For more information about dumping syndrome and how to avoid this condition, or if you would like to schedule a consultation with our skilled bariatric surgeon, please contact us today.
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