Patients who have undergone any stomach operation, such as gastric bypass or gastric sleeve surgery, may experience dumping syndrome. It can also occur following the removal of the esophagus, called an esophagectomy.
What Is Dumping Syndrome?
Sometimes occurring after stomach surgery, “dumping syndrome” occurs when large amounts of food pass too quickly into the small intestine. Dumping Syndrome can develop after surgery that removes part of or bypasses your stomach. Also known as rapid gastric emptying, changing your diet following surgery can help prevent dumping syndrome.
Symptoms of Dumping Syndrome
Dumping syndrome causes symptoms like:
- Abdominal pain
- Cramping
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Fatigue
What Causes Dumping Syndrome?
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases states that excess hormones caused by food moving too quickly through your body and movement of fluid into your small intestine causes the symptoms of dumping syndrome. These excess hormones may cause your pancreas to produce too much insulin. This overproduction of insulin can lead to low blood glucose 1 to 3 hours after eating, causing the symptoms of dumping syndrome hours after your meal.
Follow our tips and diet plan to help stop the symptoms of dumping syndrome.
Tips to Help Relieve Dumping Syndrome Symptoms
What you should do:
- Eat small, frequent meals. Eat at least 6 times a day.
- Lie down as soon as you finish eating. This reduces the symptoms of dumping syndrome by slowing the emptying of food from the stomach.
- Tell your doctor if you lose any weight.
What you should avoid:
- Everyone tolerates foods differently. Avoid foods that you know cause you problems.
- Avoid simple sugars such as sweets, candy, soda, cakes, and cookies.
- Avoid foods that are very hot or very cold. These can trigger dumping syndrome symptoms.
- Do not drink liquids with your meal. Instead, drink liquids at least a 30 minutes to an hour after eating solid food.
Dumping Syndrome Diet: Foods to Choose and Avoid
Use the charts below for foods to choose and avoid when following a diet to relieve dumping syndrome symptoms.
Breads, Cereals, Rice, and Pasta | Choose | Avoid |
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Fruit | Choose | Avoid |
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Vegetables | Choose | Avoid |
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Milk and Dairy Products | Choose | Avoid |
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Note: Dairy products such as milk, cottage cheese, ice cream, and pudding may cause diarrhea in some people after stomach surgery. You may need to avoid milk products at first and then try them in small amounts as you advance your diet.
Meats, Poultry, Fish, Dried Beans, Peas, Eggs, and Cheese | Choose | Avoid |
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Fats, Condiments, and Drinks | Choose | Avoid |
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Snacks, Sweets, and Desserts | Choose | Avoid |
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Sample Menu to Stop Dumping Syndrome Symptoms
Breakfast |
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Snack |
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Lunch |
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Snack |
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Dinner |
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Snack |
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