Chapter 2: What to Expect and What to Eat 21
Dumping syndrome occurs after you eat foods that are high in sugar, fat,
or sometimes dairy, or consume high-calorie liquids. These kinds of foods
travel quickly through your pouch and are “dumped” into your small intestine.
Doctors believe this triggers a series of hormonal responses that cause you to
experience symptoms, sometimes right after eating and sometimes hours later.Dumping syndrome can last from ten minutes to four hours depending on
what and how much you have eaten. Unfortunately, time is the only cure; you
can’t take anything to get rid of it. The best suggestion is just to go to bed
and ride it out.Some people may experience less dumping syndrome as time passes. For
others, it may be a chronic condition.If you had GBP, your surgeon can give you recommendations about how much
added sugar (as opposed to natural sugar in fruit and dairy) you can safely
eat at one time. The following additional guidelines may also help you avoid
dumping syndrome:✓ Avoid foods high in sugar.
✓ Avoid foods high in fat.
✓ Have small, frequent meals.
✓ Increase protein intake.
✓ Increase fiber.
✓ Increase complex carbohydrates.
Most people who experience dumping find it good incentive to follow these
guidelines for a while. If these measures don’t help you, let your surgeon and
dietitian know.Figuring out food intolerances
Anyone who has had weight loss surgery has some experience with food
intolerances. Unfortunately, there’s no rhyme or reason for who has what
intolerances. For some people it’s dairy, for some it’s beef, for some it’s
applesauce. You may suddenly be nauseated by something you have eaten all
your life. The following foods are commonly not tolerated well:✓ Meat
✓ Pasta
✓ Doughy bread
✓ Rice
✓ Potatoes