Patients who have gastric bypass surgery are usually prepared to deal with some side effects. While some side effects may not be entirely avoidable, one of the more uncomfortable side effects, known as dumping syndrome, can be avoided in many cases. Dumping syndrome, also known as rapid gastric emptying, occurs when the bottom part of the lower intestine gets filled with undigested food too rapidly. Dumping syndrome can occur directly after a meal, known as early dumping, or several hours after eating, known as late dumping. By making some changes in the diet and lifestyle, dumping syndrome can be avoided.
Foods to Avoid
Dumping syndrome is often triggered by the ingestion of certain types of foods. Foods that have high sugar or high carbohydrate content often cause this reaction in gastric bypass patients. Typically patients are told to avoid sugary or starchy foods in excess following gastric bypass surgery. Some foods that tend to cause dumping syndrome include candy, cookies, cake, ice cream, starchy vegetables like potatoes and fried foods.
Changing Eating Patterns
A change in eating patterns may be one of the most effective ways to avoid dumping syndrome following gastric bypass surgery. Since the stomach is dramatically smaller following this type of surgery, it is unable to hold the quantities that it formerly did without a great deal of gastric distress. Therefore, the standard three meals a day is not usually the ideal way for a post gastric bypass surgery patient to eat.
To avoid dumping syndrome, it is helpful to eat smaller meals more frequently. Many patients find that eating about six small meals per day helps them to stay full and to avoid dumping syndrome. These smaller meals should all be about equal in size. For best results, most patients find that spacing the meals at regular intervals throughout the day will help them to maintain energy, and avoid overeating and dumping syndrome.
Food Preparation
The method through which food is prepared may be an important component in preventing dumping syndrome following gastric bypass surgery. In some cases, eating bland foods that are evenly spaced throughout the day may still cause a certain degree of gastric distress, and may even result in occasional dumping syndrome. In cases where the food is already low in sugar, low in carbohydrates, and is eaten in small quantities, but dumping still happens, the temperature of the food may be the problem. Very hot or very cold food may cause the stomach to cramp up and may result in dumping. To prevent problems, food should be eaten while warm but not hot. Any very cold food, or drink with ice added, should also be avoided.
Other Ways to Avoid Dumping
Since dumping can cause dizziness and even loss of consciousness, patients who have had this problem may be able to avoid these effects with a short rest after eating. Especially after consuming a meal with a higher sugar, fat, or carbohydrate content, laying down for about half an hour may be helpful, as it allows the body to start digesting the food more easily. For patients who experience late dumping, which happens 2-3 hours after eating, they can help to treat the problem with small sips of sweet juice, since a spike in insulin levels causes this.
