Dumping Syndrome after Bariatric Surgery

Before and after bariatric surgery, there are possible complications you should be aware of - one of which is dumping syndrome.

Symptoms of Dumping Syndrome

Dumping syndrome can range in symptoms and is most common in patients with gastric bypass. It has been found to occur in 10-75% of gastric bypass patients, as well as in 33% of gastric sleeve patients². The cause of dumping syndrome tends to be a self-inflicted complication. When high-sugar foods are consumed, they tend to bypass the stomach undigested, which causes a reaction in your small intestines, drawing in water. This fluid shift is what is known to cause the first stage of dumping, also known as early dumping¹.

Early dumping syndrome typically occurs within the first hour after food consumption. Symptoms of this stage can range from diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramping, and high heart rate². It is important to note you may not experience all these symptoms. Just having one of them is typically uncomfortable enough to make one avoid that food in the future.

Late dumping syndrome is also known as reactive hypoglycemia. This can occur anywhere from 1-3 hours after eating. The symptoms of this stage are very similar to that of low blood sugar. Late dumping occurs when your body has an increased release of insulin, which results in hypoglycemia². During this stage, you can feel shaky, sweaty, extremely fatigued, and weak. 

Ways to Prevent Dumping Syndrome

Prevention of dumping syndrome can be simple, but that's not a guarantee. The first step in prevention is diet modification. For mild cases, it's recommended to not consume fluids for at least 30 minutes after a solid meal, avoid simple sugars, eat small amounts 6 times a day, and avoid milk and dairy products³. If a case is more severe, or if you are not responding to diet modification, there are alternative measures that can be taken, including medication and/or surgical interventions². Of course, if you are (or think you are) experiencing dumping syndrome, it is always best to contact your surgical team. They will be your best coach on how to combat this.

References:

1. Hui C, Dhakal A, Bauza GJ. Dumping Syndrome. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL) StatPearls Publishing; July 2, 2020.
2. Parrott, Julie M., et al. “The Optimal Nutritional Programme for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery.” Current Obesity Reports, vol. 9, no. 3, 2020, pp. 326–338., doi:10.1007/s13679-020-00384-z.
3. Ramadan, M., et al. “Risk of Dumping Syndrome after Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-En-Y                        Gastric Bypass: Early Results of a Multicentre Prospective Study.” Gastroenterology Research and Practice, vol. 2016, 2016, pp. 1–5., doi:10.1155/2016/2570237.