Dumping Syndrome - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Boileydoyley · 02-13-2007, 08:41 AM

Has anyone had any experience of Dumping Syndrome?

"Dumping syndrome is a group of signs and symptoms that develops most often in people who have had surgery to remove all or part of their stomach, or in whom much of their stomach has been surgically bypassed to help lose weight. Also called rapid gastric emptying, dumping syndrome occurs when the undigested contents of your stomach are transported or "dumped" into your small intestine too rapidly. Common symptoms include abdominal cramps and nausea."

I'm still trying to decide whether to go for the Gastric Bypass or the Lapband. The only thing that is putting off the Bypass is Dumping Syndrome. Does everyone get it?

Can you help?!?!?

LisaBoston · 02-13-2007, 09:20 AM

LOTS of people here dump and for different reasons. I dump easily on starchy carbs, sugar and sugar alcohols. I AM THANKFUL that I do dump..its one of the main reasons I choose to have RNY vs. other procedures. Those that don't dump...well they will tell you....but wish that they did.

Not everyone gets it...you need to be in the lucky group that do and there are no signs if you will or will not.

Learn as much as you can about the 2 procedures, make a pro/con list for both. I did and it was a clear choice for me.

deadboy · 02-13-2007, 09:29 AM

I've never had it but the worst dumping lasts maybe 4 hours. Compared to the dangers of being obese I'd say the risk is well worth the trade off. It's almost always caused by eating something your pouch can't tolerate. So once it happens you just say, "I can't eat that," and it won't happen unless you opt to go ahead and eat that thing again.

LisaM · 02-13-2007, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boileydoyley

Has anyone had any experience of Dumping Syndrome?

"Dumping syndrome is a group of signs and symptoms that develops most often in people who have had surgery to remove all or part of their stomach, or in whom much of their stomach has been surgically bypassed to help lose weight. Also called rapid gastric emptying, dumping syndrome occurs when the undigested contents of your stomach are transported or "dumped" into your small intestine too rapidly. Common symptoms include abdominal cramps and nausea."

I'm still trying to decide whether to go for the Gastric Bypass or the Lapband. The only thing that is putting off the Bypass is Dumping Syndrome. Does everyone get it?

Can you help?!?!?

It sounds like you're hoping you DON'T get it, when in fact you might find it's the best behavior modification in the world. The 2/3 or so of us who have been blessed by dumping on sugars or fats or when we drink with meals have found it was part of what made the surgery a very successful process for us.

Zenomia · 02-13-2007, 09:42 AM

I dump. And let me tell you, like Lisa said, it's the reason I wanted the RNY vs. LapBand. I have a problem with food. I know, I knew it, and I knew that I needed the negative feedback the 'dumping' syndrome provided to keep me from re-gaining all that well lost weight. I am one of those individuals that can't just eat ONE and be satisfied. I have to have it ALL or nothing. Sadly, I also just have to "try" which leads to the slippery slope all over again. I knew this....I have dumped...ice cream, monster cookies, some fried foods. Let me tell you, those things I ate a lot of pre-op. I really don't want to touch them now that I have dumped on them. Sadly though, I will still try. I know this about myself and it's something I fight on a regular basis to overcome. Without the additional negative feedback of the dumping syndrome I would be just another statistic re-gaining all the weight I lost.

This is only a small aspect of RNY...some people don't get it at all....and they wanted to have it. Other's whom I know have had Lapband, have hypoglycemic incidents...however not as severe (as dumping) and it only happens rarely. Overall they are people that didn't need/want the additional help of a negative feedback device.

fitbefore40 · 02-13-2007, 10:03 AM

I only dump when I have certain foods and NO protein. Some carbs or sweets on an empty stomach send me straight to CHILLSVILLE and POTTYWORLD . . . yes, fun. I'm like Zen, I don't STOP eating very easy . . . my portion control was very bad prior to surgery - I couldn't just eat a small cookie .. . NOW I'm totally satisfied with 1 chocolate chip cookie . . . because I know, if I ever eat more - I wish I hadn't. Dumping is good for me.

MiladyB · 02-13-2007, 11:30 AM

I've never had a major dump but I do get kind of a mild form of it. I sometimes have a problem with sugar if its been too much but for me it is mostly high fat foods. I don't throw up at all or have diarrhea but what I do get is kind of a groggy, light headed feeling plus I'm kind of gassy. To tell you the truth it feels almost like I've had too much to drink. I get sluggish and can't think real clear. I personally don't like that feeling at all, so it is a deterrent for me.

I honestly don't feel it is a complication of the surgery, I look at it more as one of the parts of this tool that helps me use it correctly. I just stay away from those foods that make me not feel good and if I start feeling dizzy, light headed, groggy, etc...I stop what I'm eating and it usually passes in an hour or so.

Hunnyblonde · 02-13-2007, 12:04 PM

I haven't had any experience with dumping yet (only 19 days post-op) but the possibility of it happening is keeping me on the straight and narrow for now. I'm sure the further out I get I'll want to experiment with different foods, then I'll see if I'm one of the lucky ones that dump!

MILA · 02-13-2007, 02:21 PM

I am 5.5 months out and have yet to experience a serious dumping sensation - the worst I have encountered is heavy gas, some diarhea, and gastro discomfort whenever I eat too fast or something too high in sugar. I am learning what to avoid eating to mitigate thse problems - overall its manageable.

PennyJ · 02-13-2007, 04:19 PM

I'm 4 months post op tomorrow - I've had ONE serious dumping episode..six hours of he##!!! My husband kept checking on me thinking I was going to die. I had it all, vomiting, bathroom runs, chills, nausea, weakness...it was the worst day of my 4 months!! (Sadly, caused by protein drinks with zero sugar - I was just too weak to handle them after a second surgery) BUT - I don't ever look at foods that I know are bad because of it! NO sugar!! I look at it like I'm Pavlov's dog now - I got a good message from that dumping and learned I don't want to do it ever again!