Question:
What exactly is dumping?

Someone told me that dumping is when the food goes directly into the intestines instead of the stomach. How is that possible? Can someone explain it exactly or direct me to a site that can? Thanks    — Peggy D. (posted on April 25, 2002)

April 25, 2002
With RNY, food goes into your intestines from your pouch pretty quickly, instead of hanging out in a large stomach, getting digested for hours. My understanding of dumping is that high-sugar or high-fat foods kind of irritate the intestines when they enter the intestines so quickly, causing shakes, nausea, and diarrhea. I know someone who has irritable bowel syndrome, and the symptoms are very similar. When she eats any more sugar than a fun-size candy bar, she has to run to the bathroom all afternoon.
   — Kristie B.

April 25, 2002
Thanks Kristie. I get it now.
   — Peggy D.

April 25, 2002
To elaborate, the food sits in the pouch for only a short time, then goes directly into the intestine. No digestion has occurred, so this is "raw" food. This hunk of intestine WAS further down the line, so accustomed to receiving well processed food. Now KABLAM, you give it this huge load of WHATEVER and it has no idea what to do with it. So, it calls in the troops, insulin! Pancrease! Everybody! QUICK, balance the load! So, the shakes, heart palpitations, dry mouth (all the moisture runs to the scene of the crime), cold extremitites, fuzzy vision, unable to think clearly, gas, nausea, bloating. Sometimes followed by diarrhea, sometimes not. I've never actually vomited while dumping, just wished I could. Usually the food is already in the intestine where vomiting cannot fetch back the error. It's miserable, and a good way to stay away from whatever brought it on. Whatever you do, DON'T try to drink it down, as that just makes it MORE of a crisis and the body draws even MORE fluid to the area, and makes you feel even worse. I'm glad I dump, mind you. Just not WHILE I'm doing it.
   — vitalady