Can Bariatric Surgery Cause Dumping Syndrome?

Bariatric surgery is an effective tool for weight loss and managing obesity. It helps individuals achieve significant and sustained weight loss, leading to improvements in overall health and a reduction in obesity-related complications.

Yes, people who undergo bariatric surgery, can develop a condition called Dumping syndrome. Dumping syndrome occurs when foods high in sugar or carbohydrates, moves too quickly from the stomach into the small intestine. It is best to consult with a dietitian team to develop a personalised plan that suits your specific requirements.

What is Dumping Syndrome?

Dumping syndrome is a collection of symptoms induced by rapid gastric emptying, such as diarrhoea, nausea, or feeling light-headed or fatigued after eating. Rapid gastric emptying is a disorder in which food flows too quickly from your stomach to your duodenum.

Dumping syndrome can be categorised into two types: early dumping syndrome and late dumping syndrome.

Early dumping syndrome: This type of dumping syndrome occurs shortly after eating, typically within 30 minutes to a few hours. It is caused by the rapid emptying of food into the small intestine. The symptoms of early dumping syndrome may include:
Nausea
Abdominal cramps
Bloating
Diarrhoea
Feeling of fullness or discomfort
Rapid heartbeat (palpitations)
Flushing of the skin
Sweating
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Late dumping syndrome: This type of dumping syndrome typically occurs 1 to 3 hours after eating, when the body releases an excessive amount of insulin in response to the rapid entry of carbohydrates into the small intestine. The symptoms of late dumping syndrome may include:

Sweating
Weakness
Dizziness
Shakiness
Confusion
Rapid heartbeat
Fainting (rarely)

The exact cause of Dumping syndrome is not fully understood, but it is thought to be related to changes in the digestive system that occur after gastric bypass surgery. Rapid gastric emptying, changes in hormone levels, and changes in normal digestion can all contribute to the development of Dumping syndrome.

The first step in treating dumping syndrome is to change your dietary habits. Many persons with dumping syndrome have modest symptoms that improve with simple dietary and lifestyle adjustments.

Changing how you eat

consuming six small meals per day rather than three large meals
Wait at least 30 minutes after and before a meal before drinking liquids.
Eat smaller, frequent meals
Take your time to eat and chew your food thoroughly.

Eating higher protein, fibre, and fat consumption
reducing the amount of carbs consumed and favouring foods with complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, over those with simple sugars, such as sweets, cookies, sugary drinks, and other meals and beverages with added sugar.

Which foods should you eat to PREVENT dumping syndrome?

Eat smaller, frequent meals: Consuming smaller, more frequent meals can help prevent large amounts of food from entering the stomach at once, reducing the risk of dumping syndrome.

Increase fibre intake: Including fibre-rich foods in your diet can help slow down digestion and prevent rapid movement of food through the digestive system. Some high-fibre options include whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables.

Consume complex carbohydrates: Opt for complex carbohydrates like whole grains, starchy vegetables (such as sweet potatoes), and legumes. These foods are digested more slowly than simple carbohydrates and can help stabilise blood sugar levels.

Limit simple sugars: Avoid or minimise the consumption of sugary foods and beverages as they can cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels, triggering dumping syndrome symptoms. This includes candies, sodas, desserts, and processed sweets.

Include protein in your meals: Including lean protein sources such as poultry, fish, tofu, and legumes in your meals can help slow down digestion and promote satiety. This can help prevent rapid emptying of the stomach.

Avoid high-fat foods: High-fat foods can worsen the symptoms of dumping syndrome. Limit your intake of fried foods, fatty meats, full-fat dairy products, and greasy snacks.

Stay hydrated: Drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated, but avoid drinking large amounts of fluids at once, especially with meals. Drink fluids slowly and concentrate on staying hydrated.

It’s important to note that these guidelines may vary depending on individual needs and the recommendations provided by your healthcare provider. If you have undergone stomach surgery and are experiencing dumping syndrome, it is best to consult with a registered dietitian or your healthcare team to develop a personalised plan that suits your specific requirements.

We have one of the greatest teams of weight reduction and obesity specialists. AASTHA BARIATRICS provides excellent treatment to patients and guides them through the bariatric surgery procedure. This wellness centre is dedicated to promoting the health of the community by delivering high-quality, personalised health care with compassion, decency, and respect for patients.