Are you thinking of having weight loss surgery and you've
heard about dumping syndrome? What is dumping syndrome?
What are the symptoms? What causes it? What's the
advantage to dumping?
I'm asked many times as a post-op RNY Gastric Bypass
patient about dumping syndrome. For me, it has been a
great thing as it has been a deterrent of eating my
pre-operative favorites consisting of sugary food choices.
I've provided some details about dumping syndrome as it
relates to RNY Gastric Bypass, and how the function of it
can benefit non-RNY weight loss surgery patients and
non-weight loss surgery weight loss.
Under normal physiologic conditions, the stomach and
pylorus (the opening of the stomach into the small
intestine) control the rate at which the gastric contents
leave the stomach. That is, the stomach, pancreas and liver
work together to prepare nutrients (or sugar) before they
reach the small intestine for absorption. The stomach
serves as a reservoir that releases food downstream only at
a controlled rate, avoiding sudden large influxes of sugar.
The released food is also mixed with stomach acid, bile,
and pancreatic juice to control the chemical makeup of the
food that goes downstream and avoid the "dumping syndrome."
Early dumping syndrome happens when the lower end of the
small intestine (jejunum) fills too rapidly with undigested
food from the stomach. Patients can develop abdominal
bloating, pain, vomiting, sweating, rapid heart rate,
stomach cramps, fatigue, light headedness or diarrhea.
Since with the RNY Gastric Bypass the majority of the
stomach is not being used and a new, small pouch that
directly connects to the small intestine is created, there
may be dumping. Early dumping syndrome is due to the rapid
gastric emptying causing bowel distension plus movement of
fluid from the blood to the intestine to dilute the
intestinal contents. These symptoms usually occur 30 to 60
minutes after eating.
Late dumping is related to the blood sugar level. The small
bowel is very effective in absorbing sugar, so that the
rapid absorption of a relatively small amount of sugar can
cause the glucose level in the blood to rise rapidly. The
pancreas responds to this glucose challenge by increasing
the insulin output. Unfortunately, the sugar that started
the whole cycle was such a small amount that it does not
sustain the increase in blood glucose, which tends to fall
back down at about the time the insulin surge starts. These
factors combine to produce hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
which causes the individual to feel weak, sleepy and
profoundly fatigued. Essentially, the person crashes from
the highs and lows of the blood sugar and absorption
factors Restricting simple carbohydrates (fruit juice,
rice, pasta, potatoes and other sweet tasting foods) and
eating more protein can reduce the symptoms of dumping.
There are some RNY post-ops that do not experience dumping
syndrome. However, just because a person does not
experience symptoms of dumping syndrome, it still has the
remaining impact of blood sugar issues along with eventual
weight regain by eating the wrong types of foods. If a
weight loss surgery patient, such as Lap Band, does not
have the same possibilities for dumping that a RNY patient
does, the foods that cause dumping syndrome should still be
avoided. Simple carbohydrates, sugary, fatty foods are not
healthy choices for any weight loss surgery patient and
anyone wanting to lose and maintain their weight.
Healthy choices certainly benefit us physically. Healthy
choices are beneficial psychologically as well. By
exercising your muscle of making healthy food choices, you
GAIN physically and psychologically and LOSE weight.
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Cathy Wilson is a weight loss life coach. Cathy lost 147
pounds six years ago. Her passion is helping clients
achieve their weight loss and life goals. Cathy works with
clients to create a weight loss life plan that is
customized to each client. Cathy is a member of the
International Coaching Federation, International
Association of Coaches, and Obesity Action Coalition.
Visit Cathy's website:
http://www.LoseWeightFindLife.com
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