Dumping

Exactly what is dumping???  People talk about it a lot, and I have no clue!  My doc briefly mentioned it once...but never elaborated, and I didn't ask because we got to talking about something else.

Thanks!

Susan C

RNY 3/15/16   HW/SW 293  CW 248

Gosh, I haven't had surgery yet, and I'm not trying to slam your doctor, but my program educated me so thoroughly on the pros and cons of RNY that I am surprised you don't know this!

Dumping is basically when you eat something carb loaded (too sweet, or sometimes fried) and your body "dumps" it quickly. It can cause rapid heart rate, sweating, pain, nausea and vomiting and all out miserable-ness. (see what I did there? I made up a word). About 20-30% of all RNYers dump. It can be considered an unpleasant side effect of the surgery if you dump, which keeps you from making bad choices.

> Dumping is basically when you eat something carb loaded

or in my case, Xylitol /sigh

Well, all these type clinics have different programs.  I happened to chose the one that is more 1 on 1 with the doctor, and not taking classes with a bunch of other people who happened to be planning to have this surgery.  I went ONCE to one of those clinics, and didn't like it at all.  Felt like it was some multi level marketing scheme...lol

I trust my doc, and I think that for the most part, it was my fault for not asking, as most people who have this type procedure done, do the research, and would have known exactly what it was.  I just didn't.  I did, however, look it up now, after I realized I didn't know what it was, and basically learned the same as what everyone is saying.  I am glad that I am not affected by it. 

.  I am glad that I am not affected by it. 

How do you knowbYou are not affected by it? I did not know until app 6 months post op whan I got sweet tea instead of unsweet tea. 

Later I found out that a glass of milk makes my dump. (with or without the proteins) 

As far as you know today.  Things change. Something that are ok today - may make you sick tomorrow. 

OK, let me re-phrase.  I am glad I have not been affected by it so far.  I don't know what tomorrow or the next day holds, nor next month, or next year.  For today, however, I am not affected by it.

Dumping is a direct result from eating sugary foods.  Since RNY patients have no pyloric valve food "dumps" into the intestines quickly.  A normal person's food would have time in the stomach to start the digestive process with stomach acid doing a good portion of the work.  When sugary food enters your post RNY intestines (without the pre-digestion from the stomach) they freak out.  Your intestines send a signal to the brain that a foreign substance is invading and all available fluids should be sent to the intestines to flush the sugar out.  This rush of fluids to the intestines causes rapid heartbeat (so bad that you think you are having a heart attack), diarrhea, nausea, and you feel like you are about to die.  

Only 30% of RNY patients have dumping issues.  Sugar alcohols (like Xylitol, Malitol), too many carby things, and fatty foods can cause severe gastric distress but this is NOT the same as dumping.  Not all gastric distress you feel after surgery is dumping.  Our pouches can be picky, little, devils and cause lots of grief, but you can only truly "dump" on sugary foods.  Doctors do a disservice to patients by referring to every stomach upset as "dumping".

If you stay away from sugar...no dumping.  As for other gastric distresses... I'm afraid that will have to be trial and error for most of us.

That is a great explanation of dumping! 

How long after you eat something too sugary will most people experience the "dumping"? Is it almost immediate or could it be a half hour or so later?