Question:
How come some dump and others don't?

I was just wondering why some ppl dump on sugar and other things but some do not    — wildbrat (posted on August 22, 2002)

August 22, 2002
Apparently, that is one of the great mysteries of RNY weight loss surgery. About 25-30% of RNY patients don't dump (and probably wish they did). About 70-75% do. I'm only about 5 weeks post-op. I haven't tried to see if I am one of those lucky majority - partially because of not wanting to suffer the effects of dumping and partially because I don't want to find out that I am one of those who can tolerate sweets.
   — John Rushton

August 22, 2002
In my preop nutrition class the dietician said that people can build a tolerance for sugar by slowly adding a little sugar at a time to their diet. She cautioned us not to test our reactions to sugar because we could defeat this vital part of our tool.
   — Carrie R.

August 22, 2002
I am with John on this one - it's just one of the great mysteries of WLS. I don't dump, at least I think I don't, but I don't really indulge on sweets. But, then again I know of others who dump on all sorts of things - not just sweets. Yeah, I don't dump but I've lost at least a third, possibly almost half of my hair....another great mystery! WLS is like a box of chocolates, you never what you're going to get.
   — PaulaM

August 23, 2002
Dumping is a mystery. My surgeon says that sometimes it depends on what you eat/drink as to whether you will dump. For instance, liquid sugars, like in milkshakes or drinks tend to make you dump quicker but perhaps cookies do not. And dumping effects people differently. When I dump, I get tired and have stomach cramps, perhaps feel a little weak. It passes in about an hour. On a good note, I have learned to have sugar in moderation and not to "push" it. If I want a donut, its a 1/4 of one and not the whole one! Behavior modification-love it..
   — Cindy R.

August 23, 2002
I have no idea why some dump and some don't. I do. I have not intentionally tried high fat and high sugar foods - in fact, I haven't intentionally eaten refined sugar since my surgery almost 9 months ago. But early out I had some sizzling rice with shrimp soup at my favorite Chinese restaurant - I thought I was going to die and barely made it home to the bathroom. I had all the symptoms, sweats, light-headedness, shakes, weakness and diahrrea. That particular soup is tomato based and it must have been really high in sugar. The next time I dumped I did something stupid. I was hot and thirsty and all that was available to drink was juice. I drank about 16 ounces of orange juice in about 15 minutes - once again, classic dumping. The third and last time I dumped was in the hospital about a week ago. I was on a clear liquid diet for some tests and my diet definitely said NO SUGAR. Well the jello came in a bowl and the popsicle had no nutritional info on it. They were both loaded with sugar and I spent about 30 minutes in the bathroom because of it. I screamed at the nurses and the dieticians because I never got a tray that didn't have something on it that I wasn't supposed to have - when I was on a regular diet it had to be ammended to no sugar, no bread and no milk. I got sugar and bread every meal. So, I got a friend to bring me some Crystal Light and some sugar free popsicles to the hospital so I wouldn't starve. I am so glad I dump. I am not even tempted to put a piece of candy in my mouth.
   — Patty_Butler

August 23, 2002
I don't know why some don't, but before the surgery, I was told we all do, and I am one that doesn't. It was something I was looking forward to so I can stay away from the bad sweets, but I just stay away anyways and I have tried them, they don't make me sick. Now on the other hand, high fat foods don't make me get shakes or anything, it just comes right back up....helps keep things low fat though. Good luck!
   — stacey1273