Dumping syndrome sometimes happens after stomach surgery. Dumping syndrome is caused by food or fluid (especially sugar containing foods and fluids) passing quickly into the small intestine. This may cause one or more symptoms such as abdominal pain or fullness, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, weakness, sweating, and fatigue. Early versus late dumping “Early Dumping” typically starts during or immediately after a meal. It is typically triggered by simple sugars (high and some moderately high sugar foods) emptying into the intestine. This can also happen with foods high in fat. The simple sugars attract a large amount of fluid to the small bowel causing it to become stretched (causing cramping pain). In turn, these cramps trigger hormonal and nerve responses that causes the heart to race (causing palpitations) and also may cause sweating. You may also experience vomiting or diarrhea. "Late" dumping typically occurs 1 to 3 hours after eating. This happens because of fluctuations in blood glucose levels. When sugar (carbohydrate) is eaten it is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream triggering a rapid rise in blood sugar levels. The pancreas responds by secreting insulin and sometimes this is too much which results in low blood sugar. You may have symptoms such as weakness, dizziness and fatigue and also feel flushed and sweaty. Tips to avoid dumping syndrome You can avoid early and late dumping by avoiding the foods and beverages that cause dumping. Each person has a different tolerance and you will discover what your personal safe foods might be throughout your post-operative life. Some people can only tolerate foods that contain no more than 10 grams of carbohydrate per serving. The Nutrition Facts Label will tell you how many grams of carbohydrate are in the food item. Be aware that what affects you may change from day to day and even change over time. What you tolerate in your early post-operative course might not be tolerated later on, and vice versa. Keeping a food diary will help you keep track of what you eat so that you can document your dumping and relate it back to a specific food. Changing your diet (the foods you eat and how you prepare them) can help you to avoid dumping syndrome. People who have dumping syndrome need to eat several small meals a day that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates. You should drink liquids in between meals. After you finish eating, wait at least 45 minutes before sipping fluids. People who have changed their diet and still have dumping syndrome may need to take medicine to slow their digestion. Here are some additional tips: Everyone tolerates food differently — Keep a food journal and avoid food that you know cause you problems. Read your food labels. Focus on protein foods for meals and snacks. Eat small, frequent meals such as 2-3 oz. portions every 2-3 hours. Try to include protein throughout the day and limit sugary/fatty foods/fluids as much as possible. Eat less processed/prepackaged foods and instead focus on more “whole foods” such as lean meats and other protein foods, vegetables and fruits which are found around the exterior edges of the grocery store. (Most processed foods line the isle ways of the interior/middle portion of the grocery store.) Avoid drinking liquids with your meal — try to wait 30-45 minutes or more after eating before sipping on fluids again. Avoid beverages that contain sugar such as regular soda pop and all types of juices. Avoid cream based soups and other foods that may be high in fat. If you have problems with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), avoid sugar and sweets, such as candy, soda, cakes and cookies, honey, jams, etc. [this is usually the problem with "late" dumping]

Almost everyone at one time or another has experienced constipation but there is a difference between occasional and chronic constipation. Chronic constipation means that you are continually having 3 or less bowel movement(s) per week. They are hard and dry and may even be painful to pass. There are many things you can do to get more regular. Proper hydration as well as fiber and regular exercise can help keep things moving. Drinking 48-64+ ounces of fluid from water and other non-caffeinated, calorie free liquids each day is adequate for most people, however if your mouth and lips feel dry, if you feel fatigued or have a headache, you may be dehydrated and therefore should increase your fluid intake. To maintain hydration, keep fluid with you at all times and continually sip on it throughout the day. Fiber from whole grains, fruits and vegetables and from fiber supplements will help you maintain regularity. The recommendation for older children, adolescents, and adults is 20 - 35 grams per day. After weight loss surgery with your reduced portion sizes and decreased meal frequency, it may be challenging for you to be able to eat that much fiber. Some suggestions for increasing the fiber in your diet are: 100% whole wheat breads (toasted) and crackers High fiber cereals – 5 or more grams of fiber per serving such as bran flakes Beans, lentils and split peas Whole fruits and vegetables (not juice) If you decide to add a fiber supplement, consider your options. Fiber supplements come in many different forms. You may choose capsule or pill form, chewable tablets and wafers, and powders. Other things to consider when choosing a fiber supplement: Grams of fiber per serving - some products are higher in fiber therefore you will need to take less. Calories per serving – most wafers are higher in calories than capsules, tablets and powders. Does it thicken? Avoid powder fiber supplements that thicken once it is mixed with a fluid as you never want to be in a rush or drink more than you should at one time. Are there any added benefits to my fiber supplement? For example, if a fiber supplement is made from flax, you not only get the fiber but you are also getting omega-3 fatty acids.

Sugar alcohols, also known as polyols, are ingredients with fewer calories than sugar. They are used in a wide variety of products such as sugar-free gum or candy, toothpaste and mouthwash, ice cream, frozen desserts, frostings, yogurt, fruit spreads, breath mints, and chewable/liquid vitamins. Sugar alcohols are neither sugars nor alcohols. This term is used because part of their chemical structure resembles sugar and part is similar to alcohols. You can identify if a product contains a sugar alcohol by looking at the ingredient label (names of sugar alcohols are listed above) and by reading the “Nutrition Facts” panel as the amount of sugar alcohol it contains will be listed under the total carbohydrate. If a manufacturer uses the term “sugar free” or “no added sugar,” they must list the grams of sugar alcohols. If only one sugar alcohol is used, the label will list the specific polyol used. However, if more than one polyol is used, the term “sugar alcohols” must be listed. For some people, consumption of certain amounts of polyols may cause gastrointestinal effects such as bloating, gas, and even diarrhea. If you experience these symptoms and suspect that you are sensitive to the amount of polyols you consumed, try reducing the amount you consume on a single occasion. It may take a few days for your body to adapt to the amount of polyols you are consuming.

Diarrhea may occur after surgery. If your stool is more than loose, i.e. watery and continuing to occur beyond the first 5 days after surgery, please call the clinic. You may experience diarrhea as a result of your body adjusting to the liquid diet and other consistencies of the diet as you advance. Other potential causes of diarrhea: Lactose intolerance Use of laxatives and/or stool softeners Lack of fiber Sugar alcohols such as Erythritol, Mannitol, Sorbitol, Xylitol, Lactitol, Isomalt, Maltitol, Hydrogenated starch hydrolysates Avoid high sugar, high fat and spicy foods Limit caffeinated beverages Do not drink fluids with meals

It is normal to have some air in the digestive tract (the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine) as some air is swallowed while the process of digestion produces some air. Many people think that they have too much gas when they really have normal amounts. Most people produce 1-4 pints of gas per day and pass gas about 14 times per day. The air that is swallowed may be from eating or drinking rapidly, carbonated beverages, gulping, gasping, sighing, talking, chewing gum and smoking. Burping is the way that most air leaves the stomach. The air that is left will travel through the digestive tract until it is released as flatulence. The breakdown of carbohydrates in the digestive tract such as sugars (lactose from dairy, fructose from fruit and fruit juice), starches (potatoes, corn, noodles, grains) and soluble fiber foods (beans, peas, fruits and oat bran) will lead to an increased production of hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane gases that need to leave the body through the rectum. The most common ways to reduce gas is to drink beverages slowly, do not use a straw, chew with your mouth closed, and limit conversations when eating and change your diet. In order to change your diet, you first need to identify the foods that are causing you gas. Because the amount of gas produced varies from person to person, you will need to keep a record of what you eat. This will help you to determine which foods cause the gas and then you can vary the amount of that food you eat to see how much you can tolerate. For example, if lactose intolerance (lactose is a type of sugar found in milk products) is suspected of causing the gas, you will probably have to limit your consumption of dairy products and/or take the enzyme lactase (caplet or chewable tablet) just before eating dairy foods. Some doctors may suggest limiting foods that cause gas but this may mean that you are cutting out healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. You want to be able to eat a healthy diet, one consisting of a variety of foods so keep a food journal, identify the offending food(s) and learn how much you can tolerate. You may also want to look at your total intake of sugar alcohols as these can contribute to abdominal gas, bloating and diarrhea.

FAQs Archive - Willamette Valley Weight Loss Center

Dumping Syndrome

Dumping syndrome sometimes happens after stomach surgery. Dumping syndrome is caused by food or fluid (especially sugar containing foods and fluids) passing quickly into the small intestine. This may cause one or more symptoms such as abdominal pain or fullness, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, weakness, sweating, and fatigue. Early versus late dumping “Early Dumping” typically [...]

By WVWLSweb|2017-01-19T00:30:41-08:00January 19th, 2017|0 Comments

Constipation

Almost everyone at one time or another has experienced constipation but there is a difference between occasional and chronic constipation. Chronic constipation means that you are continually having 3 or less bowel movement(s) per week. They are hard and dry and may even be painful to pass. There are many things you can do to [...]

By WVWLSweb|2017-01-19T00:29:24-08:00January 19th, 2017|After Surgery|0 Comments

Dining Out after Bariatric Surgery

Adjusting to a new way of eating is easiest to do when you’re preparing your own meals at home. However, it is possible to enjoy eating out after gastric banding surgery and still follow your dietary guidelines. Tips for Dining out After Bariatric Surgery: First and foremost, don’t feel pressured to eat like everyone else. [...]

By WVWLSweb|2022-12-29T15:35:05-08:00January 19th, 2017|After Surgery|Comments Off

Nutritional deficiencies

After bariatric surgery, you will be unable to obtain sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals from your diet alone. There is a potential for developing nutritional deficiencies after any type of weight loss surgery and a deficiency can lead to permanent neurologic and physical damage. Please take the recommended vitamin and mineral supplements each and [...]

By WVWLSweb|2024-01-16T10:55:53-08:00January 19th, 2017|After Surgery|Comments Off

Reflux/heartburn

There may be many reasons as to why you are experiencing heartburn. What you are eating may be causing the heartburn. Avoid caffeinated beverages and spicy foods. Avoid overeating. Do not lie down after eating for at least 30 minutes to an hour.

By WVWLSweb|2017-01-19T00:26:14-08:00January 19th, 2017|After Surgery|0 Comments

Nausea/Vomiting

Go back on a liquid diet for 48 hours then slowly advance to soft foods then to solid foods. If you are also experiencing pain or if the vomiting persists while on the liquid diet, call the clinic. Chew food thoroughly and eat slowly Do not overeat Make sure foods are moist Avoid eating and [...]

By WVWLSweb|2017-01-19T00:25:44-08:00January 19th, 2017|After Surgery|0 Comments

Sugar Alcohols

Sugar alcohols, also known as polyols, are ingredients with fewer calories than sugar. They are used in a wide variety of products such as sugar-free gum or candy, toothpaste and mouthwash, ice cream, frozen desserts, frostings, yogurt, fruit spreads, breath mints, and chewable/liquid vitamins. Sugar alcohols are neither sugars nor alcohols. This term is used [...]

By WVWLSweb|2017-01-19T00:24:08-08:00January 19th, 2017|After Surgery|0 Comments

Diarrhea

Diarrhea may occur after surgery. If your stool is more than loose, i.e. watery and continuing to occur beyond the first 5 days after surgery, please call the clinic. You may experience diarrhea as a result of your body adjusting to the liquid diet and other consistencies of the diet as you advance. Other potential [...]

By WVWLSweb|2017-01-19T00:23:25-08:00January 19th, 2017|After Surgery|0 Comments

Excessive flatus/Gas

It is normal to have some air in the digestive tract (the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine) as some air is swallowed while the process of digestion produces some air. Many people think that they have too much gas when they really have normal amounts. Most people produce 1-4 pints of gas per [...]

By WVWLSweb|2017-01-19T00:22:53-08:00January 19th, 2017|After Surgery|0 Comments

Hair loss

Hair thinning/hair loss may occur in the first few months after bariatric surgery, as is true with any surgery. After six months post-surgery, nutritional deficiencies (or excess) may be contributing to continued hair loss. Please make sure that you are following the long-term vitamin and mineral supplement recommendations given to you by the dietitian. Second, [...]

By WVWLSweb|2017-01-19T00:22:11-08:00January 19th, 2017|After Surgery|0 Comments